Catching a Hearts match at Tynecastle Park in Edinburgh?

I'm not sure how much luck you'll have finding someone on here who's been to a Hearts game for a recommendation. Is there a particular aspect of someone's recommendation that would sway your decision either way?

I'm Scottish and I've been to a few football games, albeit some years ago, in Scotland. I'd say if you want to see some football, go for it.

I had a look at some past results. It seems Hearts beat Ross County 6-1 at home in April 2023 in front of crowd of over 16 000, but recently it's been more evenly matched with 2-1 and 2-2 and attendances in the 4 - 5000 range.

Get your tickets from the official Hearts website.

It's not a game where I'd expect any trouble, but don't expect the razzmatazz of a US sporting fixture. Be prepared for sustained use of coarse language :) It would be a fun way to spend an afternoon and gives you a look at Scottish culture in a way that many other visitors might miss.

Thanks @GerryM. What would sway me in favor of attending is hearing someone say it is a fun slice of life at a local level, a break from museums and other sights, and a chance to just sink into an authentic experience. What would sway me against it is hearing someone say that its just a big drunken brawl or something equally unpleasant. I figured it was a long shot to ask but it never hurts to give it a try, right? Thanks for the insight on the Hearts' standing - I appreciate that!

Yeah sure! I'd say it would definitely be the former. I'm pretty sure you'll have a great time.

Hi, Deborah,

That will definitely be a good way to spend an afternoon. Just be sure not to wear the team colours (Maroon for Hearts, dark blue for Ross County) to the match. If you end up in the middle of Hearts supporters, be sure to sing along to "When the Hearts Go Marching In". (Sung to the tune of "When the Saints Go Marching In")

If you want to have even more fun, go to a betting shop (of which there are many) the day before, and have a flutter on the outcome of the match. That way you'll be even more vested in the final score!

Enjoy!

Best wishes,

Mike (Auchterless)

Just be sure not to wear the team colours

I'd probably advise the opposite. Get a scarf. If you know anything about British football, it's the people who aren't wearing any colours to the game that you need to watch out for! Be sure not to wear Stone Island lol

[editing my post since I felt bad contradicting Mike (who knows a lot) with a glib in-joke.]

In all seriousness, wearing Hearts colours in Edinburgh on a match day would be no problem at all. Your bus down to Tynecastle will be full of people wearing Hearts scarves and shirts. People don't go around causing trouble for each other because of that. Stadiums are segregated by opposing fan groups. Ross County won't have a massive traveling support so it's going to be mainly Hearts fans. No alcohol in the stadiums. A drink in one of the pubs around Tynecastle before the game might be fun.

I was disappointed to see Hearts no longer have a fan shop in the centre of Edinburgh. You can buy your merch at Tynecastle. Sports Direct or suchlike in Princes Street will have shirts and maybe scarves? They will be able to direct you to where you can buy a scarf in the centre anyway.

When the Hearts Go Marching In, don't think I have heard that sung at Tynecastle in about 30 years, singing at football games have moved on a lot. most common song sung especially just before the start of the game is this.
Away up in Gorgie at Tynecastle Park,
There's a wee football team that aye makes it's mark,
They've won all the honours for footballing arts,
And there's nae other team to compare with the Hearts

H-E-A (H E A) ....... R-T-S (R T S)
If you cannae spell it then here's what it says,
Hearts, Hearts, Glorious Hearts,
It's down at Tynecastle they bide,
The talk of the toon are the boys in
maroon,
And auld reekie supports them with pride

This is my story,
This is my song ,
Follow the Hearts and You can't go wrong,
Oh some say that Celtic and Rangers are grand,
But the boys in maroon are the best in the land

We've won the league flag and we've won the league cup,
Though we sometimes go down we can aye go back up,
Our forwards can score and it's no idle talk,
Our defence is as strong as the auld castle rock

H-E-A (H E A) ....... R-T-S (R T S)

National caps we can always supply,
Like Massey and Walker and Bauld and Mackay,
If I had the time I could name dozens,
more who've helped in producing the auld Hampden roar

H-E-A (H E A) ....... R-T-S (R T S)
the last verse actually mentions my Great Uncle Tommy Walker , and last season I was at the hospitality at Tynecastle my great Uncle's picture was on the cover of the programme.
You will not be able to get tickets for the area where the Ross county fans will be as they will be sold through their club. You should be able to get what called "walk Up Tickets" at the stadium just before the game but these will be limited and hopefully you will be able to buy on line . There are various hospitality options available and I go a couple of time a season to either the Gorgie Suite or the skyline lounge, but there are not cheap (£120+) ,we usually go for special birthdays or other celebrations, there are cheaper options so have a look.I used to go to just about every game years ago but work commitments and now the travelling i do means I don't get to that many games now, My Brother,his son ,grandson and granddaughter all have season tickets.
https://www.heartsfc.co.uk/pages/hospitality-at-tynecastle-park
here are usually a couple of stalls selling scarfs , flags etc near the ground or much more expensive ones in the actual shop.
Tynecastle is a very safe friendly place to go for a game and the security will look after you as will the other supporters, just let them know where you are from and you will be made very welcome.You can also arrange for your visit to be mentioned on the tannoy at half time.
https://www.heartsfc.co.uk/pages/get-in-touch.
There is a bar in the stadium now and you can enjoy a drink there pre match but you can't take alcohol into the stadium itself,there are several bars nearby but they will be packed.
hopefully you can visit and I am sure you will really enjoy it.

I obviously wasn't accounting for UncleGus being our resident Jambo when I said nobody will have been to see Hearts! We even got a song and a bit of family club history :)

It's definitely a lot more feasible to see Scottish football in Edinburgh than have ambitions to see the well known clubs in London as a visitor. Much more accessible.

GerryM the MacKay mentioned in the song is Dave MacKay who after Hearts became a Tottenham Hotspur legend. I was at a game just before his death where he was guest of honour and what a welcome he got from the Hearts fans.

Thank you so much for these wonderful, thoughtful replies! After reading through your responses we are a firm YES on attending this game. It sounds as if it will be just what we are hoping -- a true Edinburgh slice of life that is about hanging out with locals, doing something they really enjoy, and just soaking it all in. I shared your posts with our traveling companions and everyone is truly excited for this part of our visit to Scotland. Tapadh leibh!!

a little update for you. The game against Ross County may be changed to to Sunday 29th September.
hearts are playing in the Europa League qualifiers against Viktoria Plzen on the 22nd and 29th August, if they win then they go through to the Europa League proper and their first game will be either Wednesday 25th or Thursday 26th September. If it is on the Thursday then the Ross county game will be moved to the Sunday. At the moment there is no way of knowing.

https://www.eticketing.co.uk/heartofmidlothian/Events just checked the Hearts website, tickets for the game will not be on sale till the 10th September at 10.00am , they will know by then if the date has to be changed.

@UncleGus, that's very helpful to know. Thank you for the heads up! I have a reminder on my calendar to check on tickets September 10th. Thanks, again!

Hearts lost the first leg against Viktoria Plzen , own goal in the last minutes of the game, but still have a chance of going through after the return leg next week at Tynecastle. BTW I was at a wedding this past weekend wearing a kilt with the Tynecastle Tartan.

another update. Hearts got beat by Viktoria Plzen in the Europa league but are now in the Uefa Conference league ,the first game is on the 2nd October so this will not affect the Ross county game and that should be on the 28th September at 15.00. tickets are not on sale till the 10th but hospitality is available at around £145-£165 depending on what suite you pick. can't see any other cheaper hospitality options for that game. good luck in getting tickets.