Located on the grounds of Heriot-Watt University's Edinburgh campus, Oriam officially opened in 2016. The facility, which began development in 2013, was a result of a £33m investment from the Scottish Government, the City of Edinburgh Council, and Heriot-Watt University.
Since its inception, Oriam has welcomed over one million visitors annually, serving as a vital training hub for elite sporting organisations and national teams. These include the Scotland men’s and women’s rugby teams, the Scottish FA, Heart of Midlothian F.C., Scottish Squash, Scottish Handball, Tennis Scotland, and sportscotland.
Maree Todd MSP, Minister for Mental Wellbeing, Public Health, Sport, Alcohol and Drugs, highlighted Oriam's role in shaping Scotland's sporting landscape, creating opportunities for all ages and abilities to be active and develop their potential. She also noted its contribution during the 10th Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Week.
Professor Nola Hewitt-Dundas, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Heriot-Watt University, stated that Oriam has become a 'centre for all', supporting everyone from local community teams to elite international athletes through joint sports scholarship programmes. She emphasised its embodiment of the university's values: excellence with real-world impact.
Ross Campbell, Executive Director at Oriam, reflected on the centre's journey from its initial goal of creating world-class facilities to supporting major tournaments and launching Europe's first handball scholarship. He also expressed pride in the 270 parkruns and numerous classes hosted weekly, underscoring Oriam's role in improving health and performance for all.
Oriam's growth has included the addition of a physiotherapy clinic and a new indoor tennis centre in partnership with the LTA, sportscotland, and Tennis Scotland. The venue has hosted major competitions such as the revived Scottish Squash Open and UEFA Women's Qualifiers.
The centre has also deepened its academic ties with Heriot-Watt University, with Sport and Exercise Science degree students graduating this year and Master's programmes in International Sports Management and Sports Psychology launched in 2023. The number of sports scholars has significantly increased since 2016.
Key funding partners, including the Scottish Government, the City of Edinburgh Council, and Heriot-Watt University, alongside sporting partners like the Scottish FA and Scottish Rugby, have been instrumental in Oriam's success. Forbes Dunlop, sportscotland Chief Executive, and David White, interim CEO at Scottish Rugby, both commended Oriam's significant impact on community, student, and elite sport.
