Welcome to the August edition of What's On at Oriam. We have a summer full of sport for you to enjoy this month! Don't go anywhere, we have plenty of new activities, sports and resources to share with you.
Oriam Celebrates its 10th Anniversary
We're celebrating 10 years of Oriam!
As Oriam approaches its 10th anniversary, we're excited to celebrate a decade of inspiring performance, participation and community impact. While our official opening anniversary falls on 4th November, we'll be kicking off the celebrations throughout August, with a special focus on 29th August, marking ten years since Oriam first opened its doors.
Over the coming months, you'll see refreshed anniversary branding across the facility, along with a series of stories, highlights and behind-the-scenes content celebrating the people, partnerships and achievements that have shaped Oriam over the last decade. From supporting elite athletes and national governing bodies to welcoming local clubs, schools and community groups, we're proud of everything that has been achieved together.
As part of the celebrations, we're also delighted to host a free community sports weekend on 29th and 30th August, offering local people the chance to experience Oriam's world-class facilities and try a range of sports and activities. It's our way of saying thank you to the communities, members and partners who have supported us over the past ten years.
Keep an eye on our website and social media channels for event details, anniversary stories and opportunities to get involved as we celebrate ten years of sport, health and wellbeing at Scotland's Sports Performance Centre.
Get Set for a New Semester
We're looking forward to welcoming students back to campus in September!
Campus feels a little different over the summer whilst our students are away, but we don't have long to wait now until our students are back for a new academic year, starting next month.
Whether you're returning for another year at Heriot-Watt, or this is your first year, we have a packed start of semester with free come try sessions, gym access and of course our big Watt Welcome Fair! Our new and updated HWU Student Memberships for 26-27 are now live. Find out more about the latest updates here.
If you haven't already, make sure to follow us and Heriot-Watt Sports Union on Instagram to get first look at the new kit and all the latest updates for the start of semester!
We're Hiring!
Join our Thriving Oriam Team
Are you looking for a change? Want to support our community, students and athletes to reach their goals? We have three great roles now open for application.
Front of House & Customer Service
We are seeking Pro-active Assistants with Customer Service Experience in our Reception and Café teams. Our Front of House teams are crucial to creating a positive experience for every visitor, often the first and last staff member they interact with during their visit. These are shift based roles including weekends and evenings.
Athlete Lifestyle and Performance Coordinator
We are seeking an Athlete Lifestyle & Performance Coordinator to provide vital coordination and administration for the Sports Scholarship Programme and the wider Sport Performance team, maintaining high standards at all times to contribute to a high performance environment within the department.
Performance Sports Manager (Maternity Cover)
We are seeking a Performance Manager who will lead the Performance Department to ensure high quality delivery across all our services with a high duty of care to our athletes. They will be responsible for the overall running of the department, delivery of financial and performance targets, maximising the staff team and creating/ maintaining a positive multi-disciplinary team culture.
Heriot-Watt University Scholars at the Commonwealth Games
We had some incredible scholars competing at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026
Everyone at Oriam is incredibly proud to celebrate the achievements of former Heriot-Watt University sports scholar Tim Shoreman and current sports scholar Sunny Doig, who both represented Team Scotland at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Their selection for the Games reflected years of hard work, dedication and excellence in their respective sports. Competing on one of the world's biggest sporting stages is a remarkable achievement, and both athletes represented Scotland with distinction throughout the competition.
Tim's journey from Heriot-Watt sports scholar to Commonwealth Games athlete highlights the long-term impact of the support, coaching and facilities available through Oriam and the University's performance sport programme. At the same time, Sunny's selection demonstrates the strength of the current scholar programme and the exciting talent continuing to develop within our performance pathways.
Their achievements are a source of inspiration for aspiring athletes across the University and wider community, showcasing what is possible through commitment, perseverance and the right support network.
Congratulations to Tim and Sunny on their Commonwealth Games success. We look forward to following the next stages of their sporting careers and celebrating many more achievements in the years ahead.
Ready for Edinburgh Festival Season?
The city is buzzing with the summer festival season! Whether your preparing for an epic tour of the free fringe events or need a little escape from the big crowds, we've got you covered. Which are you? Embrace it, or Escape it?
Embrace it..
Are you ready to embrace the Edinburgh Festival Season? Remember it is a Marathon, not a sprint. From Music, to Books, Food and of course the world famous Fringe, there's so much to see and do!
Whether you're rolling on the floor laughing or just rolling your eyes at the bad jokes, we have a few top tips to get you through.
1. Make sure you've got supportive shoes and plenty of water to keep you hydrated and comfortable.
2. Head to the gym to work on your cardio, so you can power through the crowds between shows and bag yourself the best seats in the house. Test your pull-ups so you're ready to take on the classic pull-up street challenge.
4. Feeling a bit sore after a big day? Remember to check out our Clinic for a relaxing massage.
Escape it..
The festival is not everyone's vibe, the extra crowds and noise can get a bit much. If you need a change of scene and some time to unwind, visit us for a day of sport, fitness and relaxation.
Grab your gym kit and headphones, Get your favourite tunes on and hit the gym to clear your head.
Check out our class options too. Classes are kept small to ensure everyone has the time and space to enjoy the class at their own level with expert instructors.
Need some fresh air? Take a walk around campus to soak up some sun or grab a snack from our café and relax at the outdoor benches.
Working remotely? Take your laptop and head to Oriam lounge after your workout to power through your to do list with nice views, good wi-fi and great coffee from the café.
Summary
Here's a round-up of everything we have planned at Oriam for August.