Polwarth and Merchiston — the Union Canal towpath, Napier University's Merchiston campus and handsome Victorian terraces. A weekday‑daytime zone, free evenings and weekends.
Polwarth and Merchiston parking rules
Polwarth and Merchiston sit in controlled parking Zone S3. During those controlled hours you must either pay at the machine or on the RingGo app, or display a valid Zone S3 residents permit. Like all of Edinburgh's S and peripheral zones, it runs Monday to Friday only and stops at 5:30pm — there's no weekend charging at all. Streets here include Bruntsfield Avenue, East Castle Road, Ettrick Road, Gillsland Road, Gilmore Place, Blantyre Terrace and Colinton Road.
When is parking free in Polwarth and Merchiston?
- Every weekday after 5:30pm — the bays revert to free.
- All day Saturday and all day Sunday — these zones don't operate at weekends.
Zone S3 sits between Bruntsfield and Shandon, threaded by the Union Canal, with Napier University's Merchiston campus and Harrison Park nearby. Because it's free out of hours, the popular streets fill quickly, so you may need a couple of laps. And free bays never excuse a yellow line — double yellows apply 24/7.
Free parking near Polwarth and Merchiston
Streets toward Craiglockhart and the far end of Colinton Road become cheaper or uncontrolled. Our free parking guide and the map show exactly where the controlled zone ends.
Quick recap
- Zone S3, controlled Mon–Fri 8:30am–5:30pm (about £4.20 an hour or less).
- Free weekday evenings and all weekend.
- Residents: Zone S3 residents permit (zone-specific).
- Double yellows apply at all times — even when bays are free.
Check your exact street
Zones change street by street. Look up any address in Polwarth and Merchiston to see its zone, charges and hours — and whether you can park there right now.
Check your street →Zone S3 · Polwarth / Merchiston →