alien rock combines a fantastic selection of amazing climbing surfaces that all fit ingeniously into the vaulted ceiling of the former church building.
Many of the features were hand crafted on site and are truely unique, an unusual and welcome surprise in a world that is becoming ever more franchised and "mass-produced". Your first word on entering alien rock is likely to be "Wow!"
From easy slab to wildly overhanging roof there is something to inspire and challenge every climber whatever their ability and wherever they have climbed before.
To maintain long term interest and provide a variety of challenges, the majority of climbing "routes" to the top are removed, cleaned and changed around on a 4 monthly basis. There are around 200 different routes to keep you entertained.
The walls provide top-roping, leading and bouldering in one location.The 40 top-roping lines provide much of the entertainment with the rope providing protection from above.
For those climbers with more experience, the 12 overhanging lead lines provide a greater challenge, since they must clip the rope into protection points as they go.
Each line usually has three distinct colour-coded routes to the top made of individual bolted on holds. These "bolt-on" holds come in thousands of variations of shape and size from tiny fingernail sized edges through to double handed "jugs".
Before climbing, all climbers must register at reception and new climbers must fill in a registration form either in center or online. (membership is free!).
Please note you should only register to climb at alien rock if you know how to belay/tie in, either through experience or having completed a beginners course.
An experienced registered climber can sign-in up to two beginners (of any age). Another option for inexperienced climbers is to attend a pre-booked course. Hire equipment (boots, harness ,belay device) is also available.
All climbers under 18 years old must have a completed alien rock parental consent form.
Groups of novices (more than two per experienced climber) must be taught by a qualified instructor.
While not climbing, the reception area also provides drinks, snacks and climbing equipment for sale (in the Tiso shop).
There is plenty of free parking outside the building as well as bike racks and a slipway!
Buses 7,10,11,16 and N11 pass nearby. Timetables can be found here at the LothianBuses site.
| peak | off peak | |
| adult | £12.00 | £10.00 |
| white card adult | £9.80 | £8.00 |
| concession | £10.50 | £8.50 |
| white card concession | £9.20 | £8.00 |
| under 16 | £8.00 | £7.50 |
| boot hire | £3.50 | £3.50 |
| harness hire | £2.50 | £2.50 |
| adults combined boot and harness hire | £4.50 | £4.50 |
| parent supervising 2 kids under 16 with gear hire | £18 | £18.00 |
| under 16 combined boot and harness hire | £4.00 | £4.00 |
| "white card" costs £25 and includes 10% discount at the alien rock shop. valid at both walls. valid for 1 year. |
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| "concessions" are persons over 60, full time students and the unemployed. proof of status required. |
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| peak times after 16:00 weekdays and all times at weekends. | ||
| off peak times before 16:00 weekdays. | ||
| monthly membership for all types of member | £60 |
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| April 2024 monthly membership offer for all types of member | £42 |
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alien rock, 8 Pier Place, Edinburgh, EH6 4LP
vat registration number 634 842 921
For all bookings telephone 0131 552 7211, enquiries email us at aliens@alienrock.co.uk
