The University will close for the winter break on Tuesday 23 December at 1.30pm and all campuses will reopen on Monday 5 January 2026.

We can also confirm the festive opening hours for a number of services below. 

Library Services and the Festive Season

 

Merchiston Library 24h Zone* 

 Merchiston Zone 5 (access to books) Craiglockhart & Sighthill Libraries  Help desks open*
Mon 15 Dec - Fri 19 Dec 24 hours (closes 9pm on 19/12) 8am - 9pm 8am - 9pm  8.45am - 4.45pm*
Sat 20 Dec - Sun 21 Dec 9am - 5pm  9am - 5pm 9am - 5pm  Closed*
Mon 22 Dec 8am - 9pm 8am - 9pm 8am - 9pm  8.45am - 4.45pm*
Tues 23 Dec 9am - 5pm  8am - 1.30pm 8am - 1.30pm   Closed*
Wed 24 Dec 9am - 5pm Closed  Closed  Closed*
Thurs 25 Dec - Fri 26 Dec Closed  Closed Closed  Closed*
Sat 27 Dec - Weds 31 Dec  9am - 5pm  Closed  Closed  Closed*
Thurs 1 Jan - Fri 2 Jan Closed
 Closed Closed  Closed* 
Sat 3 Jan - Sun 4 Jan 9am - 5pm Closed Closed  Closed*
Mon 5 Jan - Fri 9 Jan 8am - 10pm 8am - 9pm  8am - 9pm  8.45am - 4.45pm*
Sat 10 Jan - Sun 11 Jan 8am - 10pm 9am - 5pm  9am - 5pm  Closed*
Mon 12 Jan - Fri 16 Jan 8am - 10pm  8am - 9pm  8am - 9pm   8.45am - 4.45pm*
Sat 17 Jan - Sun 18 Jan  8am - 10pm  9am - 5pm  9am - 5pm   Closed*
Mon 19 Jan - Fri 23 Jan  8am - 10pm  8am - 9pm  8am - 9pm   8.45am - 4.45pm* 
Sat 24 Jan - Sun 25 Jan  8am - 10pm  9am - 5pm  9am - 5pm   Closed*

Access to Merchiston library books is available during staffed hours only. If Merchiston Library Zones 1-4 only are open (the 24 hour zone), you will have access to study space, group study pods and computers.

There will be no access to book stock or staff help. Access is by swipe card only.

*Outwith these hours Library support will be provided by the NorMAN out of hours service.

You’ll find the opening hours of the Computer Suites over the festive period on the Computer Suite Festive Opening Hours page.


Computer Suite Festive Opening Hours

 

Merchiston JKCC

Craiglockhart & Sighthill Computer Suites

 IS Service Desk (email and telephone help)*
Mon 15 Dec - Fri 19 Dec

24/7 until 9pm
Fri 19 Dec

 8am - 9pm  8.45am - 4.45pm* 
Sat 20 Dec - Sun 21 Dec**  9am - 5pm 9am - 5pm NorMAN service 24 hours 
Mon 22 Dec 8am - 9pm 8am - 9pm 8.45am - 4.45pm*
Tues 23 Dec 9am - 5pm  8am - 1.30pm 8.45am - 1.30pm*
Weds 24 Dec**  Closed  Closed NorMAN service 24 hours
Thurs 25 Dec - Fri 26 Dec Closed Closed NorMAN service 24 hours
Sat 27 Dec - Weds 31 Dec** Closed Closed  NorMAN service 24 hours 
Thurs 1 Jan - Fri 2 Jan Closed  Closed  NorMAN service 24 hours 
Sat 3 Jan - Sun 4 Jan** Closed  Closed NorMAN service 24 hours
Mon 5 Jan - Fri 9 Jan 8am - 10pm 8am - 9pm 8.45am - 4.45pm*
Sat 10 Jan - Sun 11 Jan 8am - 10pm 9am - 5pm NorMAN service 24 hours
Mon 12 Jan - Fri 16 Jan  8am - 10pm  8am - 9pm  8.45am - 4.45pm* 
Sat 17 Jan - Sun 18 Jan  8am - 10pm  9am - 5pm  NorMAN service 24 hours 
Mon 19 Jan - Fri 23 Jan  8am - 10pm  8am - 9pm  8.45am - 4.45pm* 
Sat 24 Jan - Sun 25 Jan  8am - 10pm  9am - 5pm  NorMAN service 24 hours 

There will be no JKCC helpdesk cover from 15 December 2025 until 12 January 2026 - if you are in the JKCC and need assistance you can contact the IS Service Desk*.

Our standard Trimester 1&2 opening hours will resume on Monday 26 January 2026, you’ll find these on the Computers on Campus page.

* Outwith IS Service Desk opening hours support will be provided by NorMAN out of hours service, in this case you'll receive a response from e59.servicedesk@normanmanagedservices.ac.uk.

** Merchiston Library 24h Zone will be open 9am - 5pm on these dates. You’ll find all the Library Opening Hours on the Library Services and the Festive Season page. 

ENGAGE Fitness Festive Opening Hours

ENGAGE will close at 1pm on Tuesday 23 December, and will reopen at 7.30am on Monday 5 January. 

Student Accommodation Reception Festive Opening Hours

Accommodation receptions will close at 1pm on Tuesday 23 December, and will reopen as usual on Monday 5 January 2026. If you need any assistance during this time, please contact our security team who are available 24 hours a day by calling 0131 455 6119 (0131 455 4444 in emergencies).

Enjoy Catering Outlets Festive Opening Hours

Our catering outlets and cafes will close at 12pm on Tuesday 23 December and reopen on Monday 5 January.

On Tuesday 23 December, there will be no full lunch menu, but hot and cold grab and go items will be available.

Please note that from Monday 5 January to Friday 16 January, our Espresso Labs will be open 8am-4.30pm (Monday-Thursday) and 8am-4pm (Friday).

Look after yourself this winter

Our emergency and out of hours contacts are for you to use should you need counselling and mental wellbeing support throughout the festive period.