About Oatridge College
The College has been on its present site in the village of Ecclesmachan, 15 miles west of Edinburgh, since 1973. It was established to meet the training and educational needs of the farming industry, but 38 years on it has diversified to become Scotland's largest landbased College, specialising in Agriculture, Animal Care, Countryside Management, Equine Studies & Forgework, Horticulture, Landscaping, Rural Skills, Landbased Engineering and Activity Tourism.
With 420 full-time and 3,200 part-time students it has a national role in helping to sustain the rural economy of Scotland.
The College stands on its own 283-hectare estate in the fertile West Lothian countryside, but is within easy reach of the motorway network and less than 60 minutes drive from most of Scotland's major towns and cities. The campus includes a nine-hole pay-andplay golf course and a commercial, working farm with units for beef cattle, sheep and pigs and 100 hectares under cereal production. It is the home of the Scottish National Equestrian Centre.
Our College has a range of facilities which our Board of Management is constantly revising to ensure that our students and other users of the College are provided with resources that are second to none. This includes our modern Learning Centre which boasts 14 fully networked classrooms and lecture rooms, an IT suite and a laboratory. The Scottish National Equestrian Centre is utilised daily by our equine students and has one international class indoor arena, a six furlong all weather gallop and an extensive acreage of good riding country where we annually host a British Eventing one-day-event. Our recently installed forges and engineering workshops are amongst the best in the UK providing a fantastic learning space for all users.
Currently, further investment is being ploughed into the updating of the farm and the student residences to ensure that our College is always at the forefront of sector leading practice in training for landbased industries.
Our Students
Nearly half of our students live in the immediate Edinburgh and Lothians area, the others come from every corner of Scotland, the UK and beyond.
Student Life
Oatridge students work hard and play hard. The campus provides facilities for a wide range of sports and a very active Student Association makes sure of a vibrant social life. The setting may be one of rural tranquillity to the casual visitor, but appearances can be deceptive!
The College is close to extensive leisure facilities, including swimming pools, ice rinks and ski slopes and minibus transport is laid on to take groups on organised outings. Edinburgh, with a wealth of social and cultural attractions, is only 30 minutes away.
For further information on what do do and see in the area go to www.visitwestlothian.co.uk and www.visitscoltand.com
