Last Thursday I paid a visit to QMU or Queen Margaret University in Musselburgh (Edinburgh) prior to teaching there this summer for the Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers summer school in Indigo.
I though it would be useful to share a few facts and photos here with visitors of the summer school. It’s always nice to have a bit of an indication of where you come from.
I travelled by train from Waverley station in Edinburgh and the trains going towards Dunbar or North Berwick seemed to stop there. There were about 3 different ones in the middle of the day hour I was at the station waiting for a friend.
The train journey only takes a few minutes (less than 10). Arrival in Musselburgh was easy and the station is quiet. The walk from the station to the University takes less than 10 minutes on a good path but there is a bit of a climb from the platform up to the main road you turn right into so if you have a heavy bag or mobility issues coming with one of the buses that comes right into the courtyard of the building might be a better option. I did not investigate those but I noticed buses when arriving.
The campus looks impressive with a big car park working distance from the main building and I am told a lot of free spaces, a huge Atrium building in a U shape with a cafe on the outside (and one on the inside) some benches and tables outside. The main entry is very easy to spot and there is a welcome desk as you arrive. I was offered help so many times before I finally met the young lady who would host me that it would have been hard to get lost.
I have not researched when this was built but it is a brand new looking building, modern, airy and so light. A real pleasure to be in the main area. There is a very large open space in the center with loads of sitting areas (and great seats) including some communal tables (with phone charger points), some comfy seats, some computer spaces, a small cafe that was selling snacks and small meals (soup and what not). I even found a contemplating room in a corner with two large comfy chairs looking outside the beautiful greenery.)
In the center of the building on the ground floor is the restaurant were I believe all meals will be shared and because I have diet issues I took the chance to speak to a kitchen staff there who assured me that they were very good at looking after special diet. Some of the food was still out when i visited and it looked fresh and healthy. There are different seating areas where you can take your tray to eat including some table outside over looking a beautiful garden towards the accommodation blocks.
The studios are arranged around the building and well appointed, everything is very new and clean and the University seems to be used to receive groups I think we will have a very easy time here with what they provide. Most of the rooms have AV facilities for those tutors who decide to share some digital resources. The tables and chairs are comfortable.
It is a very easy to navigate building.
I believe they close the studios at 10pm in the evening when they close the main building and it is up to the tutors to navigate the opening and closing of their space. We seem to be the only group there during that week and that will give us a wonderful playground for our summer school.
After 10pm there is Maggie a cafe/pub/space just outside the main building that opens later it is convivial and offers a lot of options from drinks to great coffee/tea/ snack food.
I did not get the chance to visit inside the accommodations because they were all occupied at the time but Terri took us to visit the main welcome desk in one of the buildings that will be our point of contact if we have any needs after the main building is closed. There is a seating area with vending machines, There are washing machines facilities (I believe you request a washing to be done and pay for it). You can get things delivered to the desk for you to pick up. It is a proper concierge.
I believe the accommodations are organised in groups of 5 or 6 rooms all with private bathrooms (or so I have been told) they are around a central kitchen which is equiped with micro wave, kettle, cooker, fridge so if you want a cup of tea in the evening you can store milk there and boil a kettle BUT THERE WILL BE NO POTS AND PANS OR CUPS/PLATES because we are not on a self catering basis… so If you want to make anything for yourself you need to bring those.
I believe the WiFi is decent although I have not tested it. The network for phone outside was decent but inside the building a little more slow.
We walked past the entry to the “Gym” facilities which are opened to visitors for a fee, but there is no swimming pool. I am told the gym is well fitted.
As I was visiting with another tutor who will be working with nature I had a look at the outdoors.
Queen Margaret Union has a well being policy and they are keen to promote sustainability so there is a very beautiful trail one can walk around the building. I found when I last attended a summer school there were very many hours sitting down crafting and a lack of energy or time for physical activities. This will be a nice walk for some of us to do at times during the day (here is hoping for no rain). The track is beautifully planted with trees and bushes and walks around a small “lake” it is very calming. For those interested in exercise there are some stops with suggestions of exercises.
I was told they also rent accommodation to the public (see their website) when the University is not in session so for example if anyone is staying for the Edinburgh Fringe this is a very easy place to be located. Way cheaper than Edinburgh and easy to get too.
Just one last bit of advice. I was commuting from Glasgow and we have a cheap day return ticket from there to Edinburgh on the train which brings the price down from over £30 for a return to £16.20. When trying to purchase a return directly to Musselburgh from the station machine I was first quoted £29 for the return but then found out the return from Edinburgh is only about £4 ish return (or less if you have a travel card) make sure you question your prices when quoted… this is only the outskirts of Edinburgh.
Looking forward to see everyone at the Summer School.
THE LANSDOWNE HOUSE 