Monday 21st November 2016
THE third round of the William Hill Scottish Cup has Sons travelling through to Midlothian to take on Bonnyrigg Rose at New Dundas Park on Sat 26th Nov, with a 1.30 pm kick off.
Here’s a wee travel guide for Sons fans intending to make the journey.
The best way to get there is have a word with Tommy Hughes and book a seat on the Sonstrust supporters bus (or buses).
This method of transport will take you door-to-door without having to plan public transport or parking.
Sons fans who are intending to drive, here’s a warning: there are no car parks.
All parking is ‘on street’ in a very residential area.
If you do decide to drive, take the M8 all the way to the end.
Get into one of the two right hand lanes as you approach the lights and follow the roundabout to the exit for the A720 Edinburgh City bypass (don’t take the left hand slip road before the lights: that’s the wrong way!).
Then just keep going, ignoring all the exits until you get to the Sheriffhall Roundabout.
Again, stick to the right and take the 5th exit onto the A7 south. Go straight on at the next two roundabouts until you get to the one at the Tesco superstore.
There you take the last exit right onto Eskbank Road which continues into Lothian Street.
The ground is on the left just before the crossroads.
If you’re taking public transport, once you get to Edinburgh take the Lothian Region Transport 31 bus from Princes Street. It’ll be heading to either Bonnyrigg or Polton Mill.
They both get you there!
The service runs every ten minutes and takes around half an hour to get to Bonnyrigg. It’s £1.60 each way and they don’t give change so you’ll need the correct fare.
When it gets to the crossroads at the end of the High Street, it goes in two different directions. Get off at the next stop and walk back. Or take a guess and get off before the crossroads!
You could also share a taxi from the centre of Edinburgh but it’ll cost somewhere between £20 and £30 depending on whether or not the driver adds the boundary charge.
There is also a train from Waverley to Eskbank on the new borders line but that station is out past the Tesco mentioned above and either around a 20 minute walk or a bus from the Tesco. It’s ten minutes faster than the 31 bus but costs £4.60 each way and runs every half hour.
As for refreshments, a local spy tells us either the Calderwood next to the ground or the Anvil in the High Street are the closest. There’s also a social club at the ground which allows away fans in.
It is the biggest venue if they open up the function hall and right next to the ground.
At the ground itself (New Dundas Park), be warned, there’s limited cover in the 3,000 capacity ground and it’s used by the home fans, so if it rains, you’re on a grass bank getting wet.
Whatever way you choose to get there, if you get lost and end up at the lights at Bonnyrigg Toll, you’re just about there.
Entry prices on the day are £12 for adults and £6 for concessions.
Alan Findlay & Graeme Robertson