Edinburgh International Climbing Arena (E.I.C.A.)

In 1995 the Ratho Quarry Co. Ltd. bought the abandoned dolerite quarry, that had stood disused for ninety years. The design brief was to construct a building containing all the functions of a National Climbing Centre including a competition scale climbing hall and appropriate supporting facilities.

The scale of the undertaking was enormous; the infilled quarry bowl was cleared of rubble to form a huge climbing arena over which a new roof was constructed , a 5 storey accommodation building was built adjacent to this, in which ancillary facilities are located, as well as the construction of a new canal bridge and access road.

The building opened in 2005 and in recognition of the building’s architectural significance the 2008 Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (R.I.A.S.) annual conference was held there, at which David Taylor was asked to give the opening address.