Oriam is celebrating ten years as Scotland's Sports Performance Centre, marking a decade of bringing together elite performance, cutting-edge research and community participation at the heart of Scotland's sporting landscape.

Located on Heriot-Watt University's Edinburgh campus, Oriam officially opened in 2016 following years of development that began in 2013. Made possible through a £33 million investment from the Scottish Government, the City of Edinburgh Council and Heriot-Watt University, the centre has become a cornerstone of Scottish sport.

Today, Oriam welcomes more than one million visits each year and is home to a wide range of elite sporting organisations and national teams, including the Scotland men's and women's rugby teams, the Scottish FA, Heart of Midlothian FC, Scottish Squash, Scottish Handball, Tennis Scotland and sportscotland.

As Oriam marks its tenth anniversary, partners, stakeholders and sporting leaders have reflected on the centre's impact over the past decade.

Maree Todd MSP, Minister for Mental Wellbeing, Public Health, Sport, Alcohol and Drugs, said:

"Over the past decade, Oriam has helped shape Scotland's sporting landscape, creating opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to be active, develop their skills and fulfil their potential. Its influence can be seen in communities across the country, as well as in the achievements of athletes performing at the highest level.

"As we celebrate this milestone during the 10th Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Week, it is also an opportunity to recognise the role Oriam has played in helping more women and girls get involved in sport and physical activity.

“I congratulate everyone who has contributed to its success and look forward to seeing its positive impact continue in the years ahead.”

Professor Nola Hewitt-Dundas, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Heriot-Watt University, said:

"Oriam has gone from strength to strength over the past decade and has truly become a centre for all.

"From local community teams to elite international athletes, including those supported through our joint sports scholarship programmes, this is a place where people come to raise their game, connect with others and learn from the very best. It embodies what Heriot-Watt stands for, excellence with real-world impact, helping people develop the skills, confidence and ambition they need to succeed in a changing world.

"This anniversary is a moment to celebrate, but it's also a springboard. I'm hugely excited about what Oriam and its team will achieve in the next 10 years, and proud that Heriot-Watt will be at the heart of it."

Ross Campbell, Executive Director at Oriam, said:

“Oriam was opened with a clear goal in mind, to create world-class facilities for Scottish sport. That principle has guided everything we do ever since.

“In 10 years, we've gone from hosting our first partner training sessions to supporting qualification and performance at major tournaments, launching Europe's first handball scholarship, and watching our student athletes compete at the Commonwealth Games.

“But I'm just as proud of the 270 parkruns, the walking football club and the hundreds of people in our classes every week, whatever your age, background or level of experience, you can come to Oriam to improve your health or take your performance to the next level.

“We are now very much a critical part of Scotland's sporting infrastructure and a key differentiator for Heriot-Watt University, and this is something we are very proud of.

“As we celebrate this milestone, it is important to recognise and thank the many people who have contributed to Oriam's success over the last decade. Our staff, partners, customers, athletes, students and local community have all played a vital role in helping us become the centre we are today.

“There is a huge amount to be proud of, not just in what has been achieved on our pitches, courts and performance spaces, but in the positive difference Oriam has made to people's lives through sport, health and wellbeing.

“We've achieved a great deal over the last decade, but there is still so much more we can do. The foundations are strong, our partnerships are thriving and our ambition remains as high as ever. I genuinely believe the best years for Oriam are still ahead of us.”

A Decade of Growth

Oriam's story began with the 2010 McLeish Report, which highlighted the need for enhanced sporting infrastructure in Scotland. Following a national bidding process, Heriot-Watt University and the City of Edinburgh Council secured the opportunity to develop the centre in 2013. Construction began in 2015 and Oriam opened its doors in August 2016 before its official opening later that year.

Since then, the centre has continued to grow and evolve. Alongside the original award-winning facility, Oriam has expanded to include a physiotherapy clinic and, in 2023, welcomed a new indoor tennis centre delivered in partnership with the LTA, sportscotland and Tennis Scotland through the Transforming Scottish Indoor Tennis (TSIT) fund.

Over the last decade, Oriam has hosted a wide range of major events and competitions, including the Scottish Squash Open, UEFA Women's Qualifiers, the 2024 World Orienteering Championships and disability sport events such as the Lothian and Borders Boccia Championships.

The centre's connection with Heriot-Watt University has also deepened. In 2022, the first students enrolled on the University's Sport and Exercise Science degree programme, with that inaugural cohort graduating this year. Master's programmes in International Sports Management and Sports Psychology were introduced in 2023, further strengthening the links between academic excellence and sporting performance.

Developing Future Talent

Supporting the next generation of athletes has remained a core part of Oriam's mission.

The number of sports scholars has grown from 24 in 2016 to 89 in 2025/26, while targeted performance programmes in football, squash and handball continue to help develop talented athletes across Scotland.

One notable success story came through the football scholarship programme, where scholar Barney Stewart progressed to sign a professional contract with Falkirk FC before later joining West Bromwich Albion.

Strong Partnerships, Lasting Impact

Oriam's success has been built on collaboration. The centre was made possible through the support of the Scottish Government, the City of Edinburgh Council and Heriot-Watt University, and has worked closely with key sporting partners including the Scottish FA, Scottish Rugby, sportscotland, Scottish Handball and Scottish Squash.

Heart of Midlothian FC, a partner since before the facility opened, has also expanded its academy and women's programmes at Oriam over the last decade.

Forbes Dunlop, sportscotland Chief Executive, said:

“Oriam’s impact in the last 10 years has been hugely significant. A world class centre that has been pivotal in helping community and student sport to thrive, alongside some of our best athletes, is something we should be rightly proud of.”

David White, interim CEO at Scottish Rugby said:

“Oriam has been Scottish Rugby’s High-Performance home for 10 years, helping our Women’s and Men’s National Teams train to compete among the world’s best. Looking ahead to the next 10 years and beyond, we're looking forward to strengthening this partnership to the benefit of Scottish sport and the wider economy”.

Looking Ahead

Ten years on from opening its doors, Oriam continues to play a key role in Scottish sport, supporting everyone from grassroots participants and local communities to students, scholars and elite athletes.

As the centre celebrates this milestone anniversary, the focus remains firmly on the future, continuing to invest in facilities, partnerships, research and opportunities that help more people achieve their sporting, health and wellbeing ambitions.

To learn more about Oriam, visit www.oriamscotland.com.