Learning the No. 26: Homework Before My First Drive (No Guesswork Allowed)

So, I haven’t driven the 26 yet, not a single stop behind the wheel. Instead, I’m doing what sensible drivers do: hitting the books (or in this case, Google Maps and Street View) to get ahead of the game before the big day.

This route stretches from Drum Brae Gardens, a place so quiet you could hear a squirrel sneeze, all the way to Seton Sands, where holidaymakers outnumber the pigeons. Over 80 stops, five distinct sections, and enough variety to keep me on my toes for a while.

Section 1: Drum Brae to Haymarket, Where the Suburbs Whisper (And Parked Cars Plot)

We kick off at Templeland Road, an area so residential that the biggest challenge might be convincing parked cars to share the road. Seriously, it’s like they hold secret meetings on who’ll fold in their wing mirror next.

The Edinburgh Zoo stop looks like a highlight, where kids hyped on sugar and excitement take over the pavement like a small, energetic stampede. I’m bracing myself for the chaos before it even starts.

Past Murrayfield Stadium, I’m told match days turn the roads into a test of patience that would try even a saint. I’m already practicing my deep breathing, although my lungs could do with a break before I’ve even started.

By the time the bus reaches Haymarket Station, the city is fully awake, and I’ll need to switch from suburban cruise to “alert and slightly caffeinated” mode.

Driver Tip: At Murrayfield, assume any delay is part of the day’s entertainment, just smile like you meant to pause there.

Section 2: City Centre, The Art of Going Nowhere Fast (With Style)

West Maitland Street onwards, the bus lanes narrow and patience becomes your closest ally. Pedestrians multiply as if on command, and your average 20-second stop turns into an interpretive dance of ‘wait, can you pass? No, you go first.’

Shandwick Place and Princes Street demand all your attention, and your ability to maintain a zen-like calm under pressure. Pro tip: if you don’t find yourself people-watching for entertainment, you’re probably not human.

Waverley Steps is the psychological halfway checkpoint, if you’re still upright and unshaken here, you officially earn your city centre driver badge.

Driver Tip: Master the slow crawl here, it’s less about speed and more about convincing yourself you’re moving.

Section 3: Abbeyhill to Portobello, When the City Lets You Breathe (Briefly)

Dropping down Carlton Terrace Brae, the city noise starts to fade, replaced by the sounds of local life, the odd dog bark, and maybe a stubborn traffic light that refuses to change.

Stops like Meadowbank and Piershill feel like the calm after the storm, but don’t get complacent, those corners have been known to catch the unwary out.

Portobello’s charm is hard to miss, the seaside shops, the faint smell of fish and chips, and beachgoers so eager they’d probably board the bus with sand in their shoes if you let them.

Driver Tip: Around Piershill, check those mirrors twice, there’s always one passenger who treats catching the bus like it’s an Olympic sprint.

Section 4: Joppa to Musselburgh, The Scenic Distraction Zone

This stretch hugs the coast, so don’t be surprised if you catch yourself admiring the sea views a bit too long. The waves have a sneaky way of stealing your attention when you should really be scanning for the next stop.

Fisherrow Harbour and Brunton Theatre stand out as landmarks, but the narrow streets in Musselburgh remind you this isn’t your average Sunday drive, more like threading a needle with a double-decker.

Driver Tip: Approach the Brunton Theatre stop with the gentle precision of someone handling a fragile teapot. 

Section 5: Prestonpans to Seton Sands, The Quiet Close (Before The Next Day’s Madness)

The last leg feels like a well-earned breather, more rural, more spaced out, but still enough parked cars and tight lanes to keep you on your toes.

Seton Sands itself is a breath of fresh air, literally, with quiet roads, friendly faces, and a turning circle that feels positively royal after the twists and turns of the day.

Driver Tip: The quiet here is deceptive, stay alert, especially for the occasional seagull that seems to think you’re a moving perch.

How I’m Preparing

• Breaking the route into five manageable chunks, small wins all the way.
• Flashcards with stops and landmarks (yes, I’m that person).
• Google Street View marathons, virtual driving with none of the honking.
• Planning a passenger ride-along to soak up the flow from the other side of the glass.
• Testing my stop recall backwards, forwards, and diagonally, because you never know.

Final Thoughts

The 26 isn’t just a list of stops, it’s a journey through quiet streets, busy city squares, and breezy seaside lanes. I haven’t driven it yet, but I’m already halfway there mentally, armed with maps, notes, and a healthy dose of patience.

When I finally take the wheel, I’ll be ready to tackle whatever the route throws at me, parked cars, eager beachgoers, and all.

Until then, it’s homework time. Because nobody wants to be that driver who learns on the job.

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Meta Description: Prepping to drive Service 26: A dry, witty look at learning Edinburgh’s long and varied route before the first shift.