Eric Liddell Centre

The dancing society I help run recently held a short course at the Eric Liddell Centre. We were up on the 4^th floor in a lovely vaulted room. The floor was mega slippy (good for dancing but worth bearing in mind), but due to the nature of the building it is sadly windowless. The building itself is a curious blend of traditional 19^th century church and modern extention, but it works. There’s a café and shop on the ground floor, and very helpful reception staff who were on hand to provide us with water, speakers and more. I can’t speak for other events, but we definitely found the Centre to be a very good venue indeed.

After attending a red carpet event of the re-​release of Chariots of Fire, summer 2012 at the Festival Theatre. The speech given by Lord David Puttnam, led the audience on a brilliant but all too brief glimpse in the life of one of our greatest achievers, Scottish and Edinburgh’s Olympic Runner; Eric Liddell.
Mentioning that not that far from the Theatre, but on the other side of town, around Colington Road was a place dedicated to Eric’s achievements. Naturally being sporty and the fact that I’d had never visited this place before. I was intrigued to make a visit when next I had free time and was in the area.
You will find a case of items, lots of pictures adorning the walls with descriptions in each depicting a life’s work, and a wall map. Did I actually learned any more than what had been in the film; kind of? The centre being much more than a coffee shop/​café — identifies, cares for and supports activities, core values, spirit and reaches out to those who need help within the community of Edinburgh and more.
Not bad for someone from Scotland who nearly a hundred years ago in the 1920’s battled against all odds to succeed, and has continued to inspire generations that follow. If you don’t believe — watch the movie… Legendary.
Open 09:00 — 21:30 M-​F, 09.30−16:30 Saturdays