Planespotting Edinburgh — EGPH
Edinburgh is Scotland's busiest airport, set at Ingliston and Turnhouse about 12 km west of the city centre, with the Forth bridges just to the north. Everything uses one 2,556 m runway, 06/24; the old crosswind runway 12/30 is closed. South-westerly winds mean 24 is in use most of the time, with arrivals coming in from the north-east over the River Almond and departures climbing out towards the A8 and the hills beyond. The schedule is driven by low-cost and domestic flying — the London shuttles alone run dozens of times a day — but summer brings a strong North American line-up and Gulf carriers fly year-round. Event traffic is a big part of the appeal: Six Nations rugby weekends at Murrayfield every second year, and the Festival and Military Tattoo in August, fill the ramps with charters and business jets. Most spots involve shooting through the fence, so a small-diameter lens helps; Scottish weather makes April to September the best window.
- EJU56BH A320 15 750 ft
- RYR7RY B38M 5 900 ft
- RYR98WF B38M 1 350 ft RWY 06
- GDAKT P28B 1 275 ft RWY 12
- LOG10HF AT76 RWY 06
- SHT9K A320
- EMC24 PC24
Conditions right now
Runways
- 06/24 RWY 06 2,550 × 43 m · 8,366 × 141 ft asphalt
- 12/30 1,798 × 46 m · 5,899 × 151 ft asphalt
- 08/26 798 × 45 m · 2,618 × 148 ft closed
Ask the sky
What flew over this morning? Where was that loud one heading? Ask in plain words — the answer comes from real recorded traffic.
Airport profile
Typical traffic by hour
Relative intensity by local hour — a typical day, not live data.Peak: 06:00
Typical traffic mix
- Narrowbody72%
- Turboprop10%
- Bizjet7%
- Widebody6%
- Cargo3%
- Military2%
Spotter score
Our editorial rating (0–100).Best time of year
When the interesting traffic peaks.Where to spot
Ingliston mound (runway 06 end)
An earth bank beside the Ingliston showground car park at the south-western end of the runway, high enough to shoot over the fence. It is the place for 06 arrivals and for aircraft lining up for 24 departures and 06 traffic, with the footbridge over the A8 offering a second angle on 06 finals.
- Getting there
- Buses from the city centre along the A8 (Lothian, First and Citylink services) to Ratho Station, then over the A8 footbridge and a 500 m walk. Drivers turn off the A8 into the showground car park; it can be busy or barriered during events.
- Best time
- South of the runway, so the sun is behind you from sunrise into the afternoon. Heat haze affects aircraft further down the runway on warm days.
- Lens
- 18–300 mm depending on the shot.
Ingliston showground fence (24 departures)
A few minutes from the mound along the showground perimeter, this stretch of fence gives side-on views of 24 departures — stand back for early rotators — plus aircraft vacating 24 and all runway 06 movements.
- Getting there
- Same buses as the mound (Ratho Station stop). Vehicle access is controlled by barriers; walking in is the reliable option. Shooting through the fence is necessary.
- Best time
- Take-off shots from morning until around 15:00; side-on shots further along work into the evening.
- Lens
- 70–200 mm.
Terminal multi-storey car park — top level
Across the road from the terminal, the top deck overlooks taxiing low-cost traffic, aircraft vacating 06 and the cargo and remote stands beyond, with registrations readable. Police checked one spotter here after a call from the tower, mostly to rule out protest activity — be ready to explain yourself.
- Getting there
- Lift to the top level from the terminal side. Tram from the city centre to the airport stop, or the Airlink 100 bus.
- Best time
- From around 10:30 until sunset.
- Lens
- 70–300 mm.
Lennie / Lennymuir railway bridge (24 arrivals)
A rail bridge on the minor road near the cargo apron, under the approach to the prevailing runway 24. Aircraft pass low on short final. It is isolated, so go with company.
- Getting there
- Follow signs for the cargo area from the big roundabout off the A8 for about 2 miles past the golf course, then turn right along the perimeter to the bridge; park by the houses. First bus 68 runs hourly from South Gyle to the cargo terminal.
- Best time
- 24 arrivals, from about 08:00 to 15:00.
- Lens
- 70–300 mm.
Almondbank crash gate (north side near Kirkliston)
A track along the northern perimeter between Kirkliston and Carlowrie Castle, with views of all runway movements from beside a crash gate and a small mound. The best side for evening light.
- Getting there
- First bus 38 from Edinburgh to Kirkliston crossroads, then 15–20 minutes on foot; by car, park near the gate past Carlowrie Castle without blocking it. The track becomes overgrown in summer — sturdy footwear.
- Best time
- North of the runway, so only from about 16:30 to sunset in summer.
- Lens
- 70–200 mm.
Respect private property, signage and the airport security perimeter. Spotterra predicts the active runway from live weather on the dashboard.
What you'll see
easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2 and British Airways dominate, with Loganair turboprops and Embraers linking Orkney, Shetland and other domestic points. KLM, Lufthansa, Air France, Turkish Airlines and Aer Lingus connect to European hubs. Widebodies come from Emirates and Qatar Airways year-round, and in summer from United, Delta, American, Air Canada and other transatlantic operators, often A330s, 757s, 767s and 787s on early-morning arrivals. Cargo is handled at the eastern ramp. Six Nations weekends (every second spring) and August's Festival and Tattoo attract rugby charters, VIP jets and the occasional military transport. Winter is quieter but sees ski charters and rugby specials.
What actually flew over Edinburgh in the last 30 days
Measured from our own ADS-B data — not a schedule, but what really passed overhead.
- A320 34.6 %
- A21N 19.2 %
- B38M 15.4 %
- A20N 11.5 %
- B752 7.7 %
- GL7T 3.8 %
- AT76 3.8 %
- C68A 3.8 %
FAQ
What's that plane over Edinburgh?
Spotterra's live map shows all ADS-B aircraft over Edinburgh and the Forth in real time, with type, registration and route — from a Loganair Saab to a transatlantic 767. Free, no app needed.
Which runway does Edinburgh use?
Mostly runway 24, landing from the north-east over the Almond valley. Easterly winds switch to 06, which suits the Ingliston mound. Runway 12/30 is closed.
When is the best time to spot at Edinburgh?
Summer mornings for the transatlantic arrivals, August for Festival traffic, and Six Nations match weekends at Murrayfield for rugby charters. April to September gives the best weather.
Do I need a ladder?
No. Most spots mean shooting through the fence, so a lens with a small front element helps; the Ingliston mound lets you shoot over it.
Spotterra watches the sky over Edinburgh
A live ADS-B map of your area and smart alerts on military transports, warbirds and rare types — with 10–30 minutes lead on long-haul arrivals. Free forever, no card.
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