An Ode to the unknown halls of Edinburgh University: Murano and Shrubhill

It’s results day. You’re most likely sat in your local Spoons enjoying a celebratory dark fruits with your pals when you get an email. Your halls have been confirmed: Murano and Shrubhill.

Yeah, where?

You clearly put it on your option list, but forgotten about it because it was the last choice and thought surely you wouldn’t get your last choice? You thought wrong.

Well, I’ll tell you now. Living at Murano and Shrubhill is the business. Fair enough, it’s probably not where you originally wanted – but either way you're gonna make the most of it, together.

It appears everyone you meet in first year lives in Pollock Halls, catered for and having the best time at pantry parties (and to this day I’m not fully sure as to what a pantry party even is). Yet, when you tell someone your place of residence, you're met with looks of confusion. No one has a clue where you're talking about.

“Leith Walk? Where’s that?”, "Sorry, never heard of them"

She's beauty, she's grace, she's Murano Place

Both built around 2015, Murano and Shrubhill are modern. Unlike most halls, they are equipped with 40-inch wall-mounted flat screen TVs, perfect for those cosy nights in with Netflix on the HDMI, or for blasting out the pres playlist before a night out. The kitchen/living rooms are the best for flat parties and post-club debriefs. Also, as they are self-catered, they bring you closer together as a family – flat meals are the best!

It's warm, it's clean and it's safe. The RA's (Resident Assistants) are pretty cool, getting us free pizza, throwing parties and supplying hangover breakfasts. There is even a fox who makes a guest appearance every now and then.

Christmas at Murano – there was a turkey, don't worry

In the land of the unknown, you must wonder what there is to do for entertainment? Well, there is quite the choice. A night at the OMNI centre for one, a real treat for when we all need a break. A Nando’s tea – for the cheekiest of pre-film dining – followed by a late flick at the Vue is hard to beat. That’s not all, guarding our precious OMNI are Scotland’s favourite power couple. No, not Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Salmond. These beautiful creatures. And considering you're all wondering, it is possible to get a traffic cone on their heads.

Move over David Hume, the real stars are here

Even though they are a good forty minute walk away from George Square, the walk to and from is class, especially at night. Leith Walk is more interesting than you think. The Playhouse Theatre lights up the night and for a spontaneous wander, there is an easy route up to Calton Hill for a towering view over Edinburgh, or Leith Docks is a nice place for an afternoon chill and fresh air.

The Playhouse, glowing in all its' glory

For food, family run La Favorita does the best pizza in Edinburgh and if anyone disagrees they can take this up with me. Traditional pubs are a plenty, bursting with the locals drinking Innis and Gunn – give it a try it ain't too bad!

Another helpful tip, both halls double up as hostels during the summer. As we all know, hotel prices sky-rocket in Fringe season and chances of finding a cheap hotel are slim. However, stay at Murano or Shrubhill and you're looking at saving over £150 per night. With frequent buses, you will make it into the city centre within fifteen minutes and have the option to remove yourself from the city bustle.

So, if you're reading this because you are currently in these halls, I feel you. Lost in the shadows, the residents of Murano and Shrubhill live happily, high on the culture of Leith they party into the night, knowing their flat screens and 3/4 beds await their return.

Represent Leith Walk!