Currie Chieftains
Currie, Midlothian
West Edinburgh club and regular contenders in the Scottish Premiership, known for developing international talent.
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Edinburgh is the home of Scottish rugby, with Murrayfield on its doorstep and some of the oldest clubs in the world. This page lists the 10 clubs in our directory in Edinburgh and the Lothians.
At the top, Edinburgh Rugby are the city's professional side. Below them are historic clubs such as Watsonians, Heriot's and Boroughmuir, and community clubs across East and West Lothian.
Rugby Clubs by Town
- Currie: Currie Chieftains
- Edinburgh: Boroughmuir RFC, Edinburgh Rugby, Heriots FP RFC, Inverleith RFC, Watsonians RFC
- Haddington: Haddington RFC
- Linlithgow: Linlithgow RFC
- Livingston: Livingston RFC
- Musselburgh: Musselburgh RFC
All Rugby Clubs in Edinburgh
Edinburgh rugby teams
Edinburgh's rugby teams range from the professional Edinburgh Rugby side, who play in the United Rugby Championship, to long-established clubs. Watsonians, Heriot's, Boroughmuir, Inverleith and Currie Chieftains all run adult, women's or junior teams. Most club sides play in the Scottish Premiership or the National Leagues.
| Club | Area | Founded |
|---|---|---|
| Edinburgh Rugby | Edinburgh (professional) | 1996 as a pro team |
| Watsonians RFC | Myreside | 1875 |
| Heriot's FP RFC | Goldenacre | 1890 |
| Inverleith RFC | Inverleith | 1890 |
| Boroughmuir RFC | Meggetland | 1919 |
| Currie Chieftains | Currie | – |
| Musselburgh RFC | Musselburgh | 1921 |
| Haddington RFC | Haddington | 1911 |
| Linlithgow RFC | Linlithgow | 1920 |
| Livingston RFC | Livingston | 1966 |
Joining a rugby club in Edinburgh
To join a rugby club in Edinburgh, choose by area and level. The big city clubs field several adult teams, so beginners and experienced players both get games. Lothian clubs such as Musselburgh, Haddington and Linlithgow are community-focused. Scottish clubs need coaches working with children to be PVG-checked, so ask about this when joining a junior section.
Scottish club rugby has its own league system: the Scottish Premiership, then National Leagues One to Four, then regional leagues. See our guide to rugby leagues in Scotland.
For the rest of the country, browse Scottish rugby clubs.
Rugby clubs in Edinburgh by age: oldest to newest
Our directory lists 10 rugby clubs in Edinburgh and the Lothians: all 10 rugby union. The oldest is Watsonians RFC, founded in 1875, and 3 of the 10 were formed before 1900. Rugby teams in Edinburgh include the professional side and long-established former pupils' clubs.
| Club | Code | Founded | Town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watsonians RFC | Rugby union | 1875 | Edinburgh |
| Heriots FP RFC | Rugby union | 1890 | Edinburgh |
| Inverleith RFC | Rugby union | 1890 | Edinburgh |
| Haddington RFC | Rugby union | 1911 | Haddington |
| Boroughmuir RFC | Rugby union | 1919 | Edinburgh |
| Linlithgow RFC | Rugby union | 1920 | Linlithgow |
| Musselburgh RFC | Rugby union | 1921 | Musselburgh |
| Livingston RFC | Rugby union | 1966 | Livingston |
| Currie Chieftains | Rugby union | 1984 | Currie |
| Edinburgh Rugby | Rugby union | 1996 | Edinburgh |
Founding years as listed on each club profile in the UK Rugby Club Directory, checked 4 November 2026.
In practice: an older club is not automatically a bigger or stronger one. Check each profile for the club's current league and teams, and ask the club what it runs this season.
Rugby teams in Edinburgh: professional and club rugby
Rugby teams in Edinburgh range from Edinburgh Rugby, the city's professional side in the United Rugby Championship, to amateur clubs in the Scottish leagues. Many Edinburgh rugby clubs began as former pupils' clubs of city schools, and most now welcome any player.
- Professional: Edinburgh Rugby (URC).
- City clubs: Watsonians, Heriot's, Boroughmuir and Inverleith.
- Lothians: Currie Chieftains, Musselburgh, Haddington, Linlithgow and Livingston.
Scottish Rugby has its headquarters at Murrayfield in the west of the city. A rugby club in Edinburgh is affiliated to Scottish Rugby, not the RFU, so use Scottish Rugby to check leagues and age-grade sections.
Sources and further reading
Quick Answers
Rugby Clubs in Edinburgh FAQs
How many rugby clubs are there in Edinburgh?
Our directory currently lists 10 clubs in Edinburgh. If a club is missing, you can register it for free.
Which rugby clubs are in Edinburgh city?
Our directory lists Watsonians, Heriot's, Boroughmuir, Inverleith and Currie Chieftains, plus the professional Edinburgh Rugby.
How do I join a rugby club in Edinburgh?
Pick two or three clubs near you, check each club's profile for where it plays and how to get in touch, then ask about the next training session. Our guide to finding a rugby club walks you through it.
What rugby teams are in Edinburgh?
Rugby teams in Edinburgh include Edinburgh Rugby in the URC and clubs such as Watsonians, Heriot's, Boroughmuir, Inverleith and Currie Chieftains. We list 10 rugby clubs in Edinburgh and the Lothians.
Can adults start playing at a rugby club in Edinburgh?
Yes. Most rugby clubs in Edinburgh run more than one adult team. Contact the club, ask about training nights and tell the coach you are new.
Is Your Club Missing?
We add new clubs regularly. If your club is not listed yet, register it for free so players searching near you can find it.
Register Your Club Free