Edinburgh residents feel like they're living in a 'forgotten community' - despite being named one of the top 10 villages in the UK for travellers to visit.
Ratho village locals said they were surprised to hear the place had been awarded the status by TripAdvisor as the lack of public transport means people struggle to access the area. The hidden gem that lies just a stone's throw away from Edinburgh Airport is described by its residents as being a “sleepy retreat” but also a forgotten community by those that share the same EH postcode.
John Wilson, 67, said he moved to Ratho nine years ago but has always been linked with the community after working at the Bridge Inn as a young man. Speaking to Edinburgh Live, he said: “It is a delightful place to live but the transport links are so poor. I’m lucky to have a bus pass but the services are just so restricted with them being once an hour, that is if they even show up at all.
“I have to admit that I was surprised to read that we were named as a desired destination for tourists as I am not aware of a lot of visitors coming here. The Bridge Inn has been here for years and is really well run and the canal is also popular.
“We are about a mile away from one of the busiest junctions in Scotland but there is no noise which is amazing. It is a great place for walks and I’m just heading to the aqueduct myself.
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“I can certainly see the draw as on a lovely morning you can walk up to Bonnington and get amazing views of Edinburgh and the surrounding areas.
“My only concern is that an increase in tourism could be a double edged sword as it could improve the local economy but if the area grows then it could lose its village status. We already have planning applications in place on the outskirts of the village and I understand there is a need for more housing but it is sort of a ‘not in my backyard feel.’
“There is not the infrastructure or the transport links to be able to support any more growth at the moment.”
The Bridge Inn was heralded as the jewel in the village crown by residents and has long been renowned for serving delicious meals to both locals and tourists for a number of decades. Many in the community feel that the rising tourist profile of the area has a lot to do with the much loved pub.
Rachel Bucknall, 52, who has owned the business for 13 years alongside her husband admitted that she was pleasantly surprised by the mention of Ratho as a top village to visit. Having grown up in Kelso, she has always had a fondness for the area after visiting her gran who lived there when she was child and after attending her aunt's wedding at the historic church.
“I was surprised to see Ratho in the top ten but it is a hidden secret. Everyone thinks East Lothian is the destination but I think we are an unknown gem and folk should know more about us”, she said.
“There are some really nice and beautiful places around. I would say tourism has been steady throughout the time we have been here but the climbing centre certainly put us on the map.
“We are close to the airport and a lot of our bedroom guests are airport based. They tend to stay for a night or two but we also get people who visit to meet others from around Scotland as we are based at a great meet up spot by the Newbridge roundabout.
“I think a lot of people are now wanting to have something different than staying in the city centre. But it can sometimes feel as though Edinburgh forgets we are part of the capital.
“Our bus service is not great and it feels as though we have been the forgotten route since the 48 was scrapped. I think the council should be doing more to help recognise that Ratho is a place that people want to visit due to our canal, climbing centre and with Jupiter Artland just round the corner.
“There is a slight concern that we would not be able to cope with any more growth due to the infrastructure and limited space.
“Back in 2010 when we took over, pubs were not really known for their food and it was excused by customers. But nowadays everyone expects a higher standard.
“The Bridge Inn has always been known as a place to get a great steak and we are now known for our homemade meals including our pies and fresh ingredients that come from our walled garden.
“I would also like to see Edinburgh council give us a brown sign that many airport hotels hold. It would help people to find us at a time when we are looking to increase our capacity by eight rooms.
“We are very unique, I think we deserve one."
Pamela Fairley, 68, who said that she is not surprised to see the village being recognised due to the fantastic people and landscape that the area boasts.
She has lived in the area for 43 years and welcomed the higher profile that Ratho was getting by being placed in the Trip Advisor top ten list. “We notice visitors every summer as a lot of people come for a walk along the canal and to take in the natural environment”, she said.
“The Bridge Inn that sits to the side of the canal is a very fine restaurant and we are not far from the Dalmahoy hotel and country club. We also have a wonderful church that dates back to the 13th century and the climbing centre that has attracted a new range of tranche of people from further afield.
“I’ve seen Canadians and Americans visit our shop over the summer period and they sometimes pop-in to pick up a bottle of whiskey. I personally welcome the growth in Ratho but I accept that there are others who are concerned about the village expanding further.
“What really lets us down as a community is the lack of reliable public transport links as it is all fine and well being a nice place to visit but people have to be able to get here.
"A higher profile for the village could mean that we get additional services. I’m not surprised at all that we have been named in the list as it is a brilliant place with lovely people.”
Edinburgh’s International Climbing Arena has certainly played a part in putting Ratho on the map. It has hosted three international tournaments in the last five years which has seen the global climbing community flock to the area.
Vicky Harper, 33, who is the manager at the EICA, said that she welcomed the news and thought that it was a fantastic acknowledgement of what the village can offer.
But she shared her concerns around the lack of reliable public transport which limits visitors ability in using their services.
She said: “This is amazing news as a lot of our members and staff are from the village. It is nice it is being recognised.
“Ratho is in a really exciting period as you do not know what is going to happen next with coffee shops opening and new homes being built. Ourselves investing the centre means that there are a number of facilities that attract people from around the UK and further afield.
“We have some of the biggest walls in the UK and also have soft play, a bouldering room, gym and café for visitors to take advantage of. It brings in athletes from all over the world and their teams need somewhere to stay which sort of puts Ratho on the map which is really special.
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