FAQs
We thought we'd share with you some of the questions we're asked most regularly to give you a bit more information and to ensure your time at EICA, Ratho is everything you expected.
1. Do I have to be an experienced climber to climb at EICA, Ratho?
No. We have start up courses that are ideal for absolute beginners although experienced climbers are most welcome too. If you just want to come in and climb, or boulder, you do have to demonstrate that you are a competent climber.
2. Do I have to be a climber to come to EICA, Ratho?
No. We may be home to the world's largest indoor climbing arena but there is more to the centre to that. You can work out in the gym or studio, relax in the spa or kids can play in Scrambles soft play. We also have excellent conferencing facilities that you don't have to be a climber to use!
3. What do I need to start climbing without an instructor?
To climb unsupervised you must be aged 18 or over, be a competent climber and complete a registration form to say so. Experienced climbers aged 14- 17 can book in and be assessed by our team to climb unsupervised.
4. Do I need my own equipment?
We'll supply all of your ropes for top roping but you'll need to bring your own lead ropes. If you need to hire shoes and a helmet you can do so from our reception on Level 3.
5. How old do you need to be to climb at EICA, Ratho?
From 4 years old children can climb on the climbing tower and from age 8 they can be instructed on the arena walls. Children accompanied by their parents can climb from any age at the parents discretion.
6. Can anyone use the spa?
Yes. Absolutely. The spa is a beautiful little haven for relaxation that anyone can enjoy. Tag a little stint in the jacuzii on to your work out or just take the time to chill out in the spa, either way is fine with us.
7. Can I just come along and boulder?
Because the bouldering is within the arena we cannot differentiate between those people who only want to boulder and those who want to climb therefore you have to either be a competent climber or complete the start up course in order to use the bouldering facilities.
8. How can I feedback to the EICA team?
There are lots of ways to let us know how we're doing, chat to a member of staff when you are in, or if you'd prefer complete a customer comment card. If you'd like to email us with comments that's fine too, just drop us a line to info.ratho@edinburghleisure.co.uk. We also have regular customer representatives meetings to update our customers on what's going on with us and also to act as a voice for all of our users.
9. Who are the Customer Representatives?
At the moment we've got Stuart Cairns and Tracey Fitzpatrick representing the climbing arena and Mike Smith representing the gym. We don't have a representative for Scrambles at the moment, previously Gareth Hunt provided feedback on this area.
10. What gets discussed at Customer Reps meetings?
Lots of things. Everything about the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena is on the agenda. If you want to see for yourself you can download the minutes of the previous meetings by clicking on the month you want to see.
Please contact us for more information.