[HDNG]INTRODUCTION:[EHDNG][PARA][BOLD]For general information about Edinburgh: [EBOLD]see [ULNE]Edinburgh University[EULNE]. Heriot-Watt is based out on a [ITAL]beautiful [EITAL]380-acre parkland site 61/2 miles out at Riccarton. This green and wooded campus, which was only completed in 1992, is on the site of an old mansion. The gardens of the mansion remain, surrounding the library which now stands where the house once did. The University buildings, built mostly from [ITAL]smart [EITAL]light brick in the 70s and 80s, lie amongst the old trees and around an artificial lake or, since this is Scotland, artificial loch, with bad-tempered swans. The campus is still growing and now includes a research park and the Edinburgh Conference Centre. [ITAL]The countryside around the campus is not exactly the purple flower of Scotland's thistle. It's fairly flat and uninteresting.[EITAL] There are 3 associated colleges of the University (see The Sites below) based in Edinburgh centre and Galashiels, 26 miles away.[HDNG]ATMOSPHERE:[EHDNG][PARA][ITAL]Being a fair distance out of the city (even though Edinburgh is the kind of place that radiates fun all around), many students just stick to the campus. Until, that is 5pm, when the place is practically deserted. The lack of children, the elderly, traffic or other trappings of most communities, makes the campus strangely unreal. [EITAL][PARA][ITAL] The students tend to be quiet and studious, but friendly nonetheless. Many are into computers, but we won't hold that against them. Politics is a 4-letter word - don't try counting - and students would rather be vulcanised rubber than vulcanised into action over a political issue. At least that was the case, until it came to the ban on students eating packed lunches in University-run eating areas, when they staged a sit-in. By Scottish university standards, Heriot-Watt is very cosmopolitan: only 59% of students are native Scots and there is a large number of overseas students who take an active role in student life.[EITAL][ITAL][HDNG]THE SITES:[EHDNG][EITAL][PARA][BOLD]Riccarton:[EBOLD] (Heriot-Watt University) The main site is a 380-acre green-field campus, 61/2 miles out of of Edinburgh, where about 5,000 students are based.[PARA][BOLD]Moray House Institute of Education:[EBOLD] (education and 'people-centred profession' courses) 2,000 students are based at Moray House's 2 campuses, one at the end of The Royal Mile near Edinburgh's city centre, the other on the seashore. Accommodation for 300 students is about 2 miles away. The site has its own separate SU with few facilities [ITAL]and little enthusiasm[EITAL] despite having 3 sabbatical officers.[PARA][BOLD]Edinburgh College of Art:[EBOLD] (architecture, landscape, planning and housing, art and design) Situated in Edinburgh's centre, the 1,500 students here are[ITAL] very arty[EITAL].[PARA][BOLD]The Scottish College of Textiles:[EBOLD] (textile design, management and technology) There are 750 students based at SCOT (as it's abbreviated), some of whom study for part of their courses at Riccarton. SCOT is in Galashiels, a [ITAL]small but attractive[EITAL] town, 29 miles from Riccarton, [ITAL]somewhat limited in facilities[EITAL].[HDNG]THE CITY:[EHDNG][PARA][STAT][BULL] Population: 421,213 [BULL] London: 391miles [BULL] Glasgow: 44miles [BULL] Newcastle: 93miles[ESTAT][PARA][ITAL]Edinburgh is a stunning city with a tremendous heritage[EITAL]. [ITAL] Like all the best cities,[EITAL] it is built on 7 hills, overlooked by Arthur's Seat, a mini mountain. The centre hill is peaked by the castle and old city walls. There are over 16,000 listed buildings, mostly built of the local grey stone [ITAL]that picks up something ethereal in the quality of the light[EITAL]. These buildings date mainly from 2 periods of expansion: the formation of the centre from the 11th century onwards; and later, the New Town, mainly to the north. The broad streets, garden squares, cobbled alleys, parks and [ITAL]gasping [EITAL]views are [ITAL]well planned[EITAL] (all by one guy, George Drummond) with 3 main roads running parallel (Queen Street, George Street and Princes Street). The Royal Mile, a straight stretch of linked roads, runs through the city's heart. 4-storey tenements line the Royal Mile. [ITAL]The Old Town is unique in its ability to look as though Nature intended it to be there, and the names evoke the charm:[EITAL] Grassmarket; Lawnmarket; The Pleasance; Cowgate; The Mound. [ITAL]It is also a place with real people in it - including some of the best buskers this side of New Orleans.[EITAL] There's no shortage of shops, civic amenities or museums. Among the sites that should be first on any tour of the city are the Holyrood Palace, the Royal Museum of Scotland, the National Gallery, National Gallery of Modern Art, Parliament House, the Castle and... forget it. [ITAL]We could carry on praising Edinburgh, drawing out its long history, its heritage and highlights, but frankly we might spoil the fun of exploring every delightful nook and cranny of the place[EITAL].[HDNG]TRAVEL:[EHDNG][PARA][BOLD]Trains:[EBOLD] Edinburgh Waverley Station is the most central in Edinburgh. There is a direct line to Glasgow, another to the north and another to the south through Newcastle and York to London (ú37.60, 4:20hrs, 1/hr). Regular connections also to Birmingham (ú28.40) and Bristol (ú40.90).[PARA][BOLD]Coaches:[EBOLD] National Express, Stagecoach and Citylink services to London (ú25.00, 7:50hrs, 2/day), Newcastle (ú12.00, 2:45hrs, 3/day), Glasgow (ú6.30, 1:10hrs, 9/day), Manchester (ú13.75, 5:55hrs, 2/day).[PARA][BOLD]Car:[EBOLD] The M8 and M9 connect with the A8 on the west of Edinburgh. It is also served by the A1, A7, A68, A70, A71, A702, A703 and A90.[PARA][BOLD]Air:[EBOLD] Edinburgh (Turnhouse) Airport, 51/2 miles west of the city centre, has a range of international flights.[PARA][BOLD]Hitching:[EBOLD][ITAL] The A1 is a popular road for hitchers. Unfortunately, this part of the A1 isn't so popular with the sort of driver who gives lifts. But the lifts are there - eventually. It's easier to get into Edinburgh than out of it. The M8 and M9 are good for routes to Glasgow and Perth.[EITAL][PARA][BOLD]Local:[EBOLD] [ITAL]Bus services are good all round the city and quite cheap [EITAL](from 40p). They run less frequently after 7pm until midnight. [ITAL]The trains around town are irrelevant except for students living on the west side.[EITAL] For them though, the route (60p) from Waverley to Haymarket is a [ITAL]useful [EITAL]one.[PARA][BOLD]Taxis:[EBOLD] [ITAL]Useful for late night trips, otherwise they're a bit extravagant[EITAL] (ú3 across town).[PARA][BOLD]Bicycles:[EBOLD] [ITAL]Very useful, but remember Edinburgh is built on 7 hills. Bicycles also have a severe tendency to wheel themselves away.[EITAL][BOLD]Buses:[EBOLD] Buses to the city centre cost 70p and take 30 minutes. There is a night service until 4.30am.[PARA][BOLD]Car:[EBOLD] The Riccarton campus is about 1 mile outside the A720 Edinburgh ring road, just off the A71 on its way out of the city. There are parking spaces on the campus, but very few in the city centre.[PARA][BOLD]Taxis:[EBOLD] By taxi to Waverley Station in the city centre only takes about 15 minutes but costs around ú7.[PARA][BOLD]Hitching: [EBOLD][ITAL]Not a safe way of getting into town and so most students take the bus. [EITAL][PARA][BOLD]Bicycles:[EBOLD] [ITAL]A bit far to the city centre and Edinburgh is generally too hilly and too windy. Theft is also a problem.[EITAL][ITAL][HDNG]FACULTIES and STUDENT NOS:[EHDNG][EITAL][PARA][BOLD]Science[EBOLD] 1,065[BOLD][PARA]Engineering[EBOLD] 1,275[BOLD][PARA]Eco/Soc Stud[EBOLD] 1,125[BOLD][PARA]Enviro Stud[EBOLD] 470[BOLD][PARA]Art and Design[EBOLD] 675[BOLD][PARA]Eco/Soc Stud[EBOLD] 1,125[BOLD][PARA]Textiles[EBOLD] 765[BOLD][PARA]Education[EBOLD] 1,565[BOLD][HDNG]LIBRARIES and COMPUTERS:[EHDNG][EBOLD][PARA][BOLD][STAT][BULL] Books: 400,000 [BULL] Periodicals: 1,500 [BULL] Study places: 1,200 [BULL] Computer workstations: 1,300[ESTAT][EBOLD][PARA]There's a main library at the Riccarton campus as well as further collections in some departments and at least 1 library each at the other sites. Despite the number of high-spec computer terminals, on the Riccarton campus, it is felt that more are needed and, indeed, more there shall be over the next few years.[HDNG]CAREER PROSPECTS:[EHDNG][PARA][STAT][BULL] Careers Service [BULL] No of staff: 5full [BULL] Unemployed after 6mths (1992): 10.4%[ESTAT][HDNG]SPECIAL FEATURES:[EHDNG][PARA][BULL]The name Heriot-Watt has nothing to do with TV vet James Herriot. James Watt (1736-1819) was one of the innovators of the Industrial Revolution with his work on steam engines. George Heriot (1563-1623), known as the 'Jinglin' Geordie', was a jeweller and financier to James VI of Scotland (James I of England). It's named after Watt 'cos he was clever and Heriot 'cos he was rich.[PARA][BULL]The [ITAL]plush [EITAL]James Watt Conference Centre is sometimes used for student and academic activities during term time.[PARA][BULL]The Research Park on campus, the empasis on technology and industry, the local 'Silicon Glen' [ITAL]create a very businessy feel to some parts of the University.[EITAL][PARA][BULL]The country's only degree course in Brewing and Distilling. Cheers.[HDNG]FAMOUS ALUMNI:[EHDNG][PARA]Ronnie Corbett (short on comedy actor); Bernie Grant MP, Martin O'Neill MP (Lab); Ian Hamer (athlete); Archy Kirkwood MP (Lib Dem); David Martin MEP; Jim Telfer (Rugby player).[HDNG]FURTHER INFO:[EHDNG][PARA]Prospectuses for undergrads and postgrads. Guide for applicants. The SA produces a handbook.
