The Southside and St Leonard's — student territory by the University, Summerhall, and the gateway to Arthur's Seat. A weekday‑daytime zone, free in the evenings and at weekends.
the Southside and St Leonard's parking rules
The Southside and St Leonard's sit in controlled parking Zone 7, between the Old Town and Newington. During those controlled hours you must either pay at the machine or on the RingGo app, or display a valid Zone 7 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 St Leonard's Lane, St Leonard's Hill, Summerhall Crescent, West Preston Street, West Mayfield, Upper Gray Street and Bernard Terrace.
When is parking free in the Southside and St Leonard's?
- 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 7 surrounds the University's George Square and Pollock Halls, with Holyrood Park and Arthur's Seat on the eastern edge and the Meadows to the west. 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 the Southside and St Leonard's
Streets further into Newington and toward Prestonfield can be a little easier, but term-time and event demand is high. Our free parking guide and the map show exactly where the controlled zone ends.
Quick recap
- Zone 7, controlled Mon–Fri 8:30am–5:30pm (£4.60 an hour).
- Free weekday evenings and all weekend.
- Residents: Zone 7 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 the Southside and St Leonard's to see its zone, charges and hours — and whether you can park there right now.
Check your street →Zone 7 · Newington / Southside →