Home Report Ratho

Ratho is an affluent rural feeling village of roughly 2,500 residents practically a stone’s throw from Edinburgh city centre which is about 8 miles to the east. Ratho Station (a different settlement named for an old railway station) is just a couple of miles to the north, and the town of Livingston is about 8 ½ miles to the west. Balerno, Currie, and Juniper Green are about 4 ½ miles to the southeast.

Being so close to Edinburgh, it makes sense then that the village today mainly serves as a commuter village for those residents working in the city centre. Back in the 19th century however, Ratho did have some importance as a stop along the Union Canal. The Union Canal – full name the Edinburgh and Glasgow Union Canal constructed in 1822 – passes directly through the middle of the village today. Until the railways it was the fastest means to transport cargo between Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Falkirk, and it gave Ratho some importance as a stopping point along the way. However, with the advent of the railways this importance diminished and is likely one of the main reasons Ratho remained the small and now residential settlement we know it as today. Having said that, this is likely now one of the main factors driving the appeal of Ratho as a place to live for commuters and families today. A further factor many find appealing is the many attractive older houses built from whinstone in the village. As a result, part of the village was designated a Conservation Area in 1971 by Midlothian County Council.

In terms of transport links for residents then, residents must mainly rely on car as the fastest means to get around. The main road in the village, connects to Dalmahoy Road which connects to the A71 trunk road to the south. The A71 in turn allows for direct travel to the centre of Edinburgh. There are bus services operating Monday to Saturdays with one or two buses hourly. The village has no railway station of its own, the nearest would be Curriehill station in Currie which is less than 10 minutes away by car. However, residents do benefit from proximity to Ingliston Park & Ride on the tramline. This is just under 3 miles away along Freelands road, has free parking, and delivers commuters to the city centre in under 30 minutes. Ratho residents are also in a great place to reach Edinburgh airport, which is just 4 miles to the north of the village.

In terms of amenities, Ratho is more of a quieter commuter settlement, though it does have a few things for residents to enjoy. There’s a local coffee shop, and The Bridge Inn is a popular restaurant and hotel situated right on the Union Canal. There’s also the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena, the largest of its kind in Europe, offering world-class climbing facilities and other recreational pursuits including an aerial assault course and soft play. Ratho is also perfectly for walks alongside a particularly pretty stretch of the Union Canal. Ratho Park Golf Club is just a short distance away to the east and is well-rated by members and visitors alike. Dalmahoy Hotel and Country Club is a short distance away to the south and offers locals another choice of golf course and other attractions within the hotel and grounds. Residents also benefit greatly from proximity to Edinburgh for even more choice of shops and amenities which can be reached in a relatively short span of time.

As for local schooling, Ratho Primary School is the only school in the village. Ratho comes under the catchment area for Balerno High School which most pupils are bussed to.