Matchday Meander with Rachel McLachlan

25 Apr 2025

Scotland's openside flanker Rachel McLachlan fills us in on everything she adores about Edinburgh, her stomping ground. Sharing expert guidance on the top spots in the city.

Tell us about your relationship with the city?

Edinburgh is home. It’s where I’m from. Born and bred. I love the city, it’s beautiful, it’s busy and there’s green space everywhere.

Why is Edinburgh a great place for a Guinness Women’s Six Nations weekend?

The energy is always great in the city, especially on a matchday. We’re a big, big sport city and we love it.

Where would you suggest fans go for the best pre-match coffee?

It’s got to be Disposition. It’s round the corner from Scottish Gas Murrayfield.  Good people, good coffee, good location.

​

Spot to eat in the city?

Chez Jules is class. It’s French food and obviously I’m part French now I’ve lived there for six months. But, yeah, it’s class food, good pricing and really nice ambience.

 

Post-match pint?

Wee pint at my home pub, The Hermitage. It’s quite small, quite cosy and they also do really nice food.

​

Sunday after brunch?

Definitely Loudons. Really nice service, atmosphere and really, really nice food.

​

Non-game day activity? ​

​Take in the views at Inverleith park. One of the best views in the city.

​Bonus local top tip?

Use the tram to your advantage. Really good way to get around and not too expensive.

​

And where should fans be when the anthems start?

​You should be right in front of the Scotland team when the anthems kick off, watching us sing our hearts out, singing along with us and listening to the pipes.

 

RELATED

Dave Butcher appointed Scotland Women Head Coach Scotland Women Dave Butcher appointed Scotland Women Head Coach Thu 29 Oct 2026 Match Report: Australia 38-31 Scotland Scotland Women Match Report: Australia 38-31 Scotland Fri 23 Oct 2026 Scotland Women team for WXV Global Series finale Scotland Women Scotland Women team for WXV Global Series finale Tue 20 Oct 2026 Josie Symonds appointed Head of Athletic Performance for inaugural Women’s British & Irish Lions tour Scotland Women Josie Symonds appointed Head of Athletic Performance for inaugural Women’s British & Irish Lions tour Tue 20 Oct 2026 Match Report: Australia 56-12 Scotland Scotland Women Match Report: Australia 56-12 Scotland Sat 17 Oct 2026 Lana Skeldon ready for Australia rematch Scotland Women Lana Skeldon ready for Australia rematch Thu 15 Oct 2026 Two changes made as Scotland Women take on Australia in Sydney Scotland Women Two changes made as Scotland Women take on Australia in Sydney Wed 14 Oct 2026 Rachel McLachlan: Making every moment count Scotland Women Rachel McLachlan: Making every moment count Mon 12 Oct 2026 How to Watch Australia Women vs Scotland Scotland Women How to Watch Australia Women vs Scotland Mon 12 Oct 2026 Exclusive first look: New Archive Collection revealed Scotland Men Exclusive first look: New Archive Collection revealed Thu 8 Oct 2026 Scotland Women squad to travel to Australia for WXV Global Series double-header confirmed Scotland Women Scotland Women squad to travel to Australia for WXV Global Series double-header confirmed Tue 6 Oct 2026 Scotland’s best tries of the Vodafone WXV Series Scotland Women Scotland’s best tries of the Vodafone WXV Series Tue 6 Oct 2026 House of Hope working with Scottish Rugby for Breast Cancer Awareness Month Scotland Women House of Hope working with Scottish Rugby for Breast Cancer Awareness Month Thu 1 Oct 2026 Match Report: Scotland 10-30 Australia Scotland Women Match Report: Scotland 10-30 Australia Sat 26 Sep 2026 Young female musicians set to make history at the Hive Stadium Scotland Women Young female musicians set to make history at the Hive Stadium Sat 26 Sep 2026 Sarah Bonar raring to be back at Hive Stadium for Vodafone Scotland WXV Series Scotland Women Sarah Bonar raring to be back at Hive Stadium for Vodafone Scotland WXV Series Thu 24 Sep 2026 Scotland Women team to face Australia in final home fixture of Vodafone Scotland WXV Series confirmed Scotland Women Scotland Women team to face Australia in final home fixture of Vodafone Scotland WXV Series confirmed Thu 24 Sep 2026 Scouting the Wallaroos: Australia’s WXV Squad Scotland Women Scouting the Wallaroos: Australia’s WXV Squad Tue 22 Sep 2026 Match Report: Scotland 14-66 New Zealand Scotland Women Match Report: Scotland 14-66 New Zealand Sat 19 Sep 2026 Rollie’s roots standing her in good stead Scotland Women Rollie’s roots standing her in good stead Fri 18 Sep 2026