Christmas break student storage in Edinburgh is a door-to-door collection and return service that lets University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Napier, Heriot-Watt, and Queen Margaret University students hand over their belongings before heading home in December, then have them returned to their Edinburgh address when the new term begins in January. UniMove has run this service from student rooms and flats across Edinburgh since 2014.
Why Edinburgh Students Need Christmas Break Storage
Edinburgh University’s Christmas vacation typically runs from around 13 December to 9 January, though exact dates shift each year. Over that period, halls of residence either close entirely or significantly reduce services. Students in Pollock Halls, Chancellors Court, and the various campus residences are expected to vacate for most of the break.
Students in private accommodation face a different calculation. Edinburgh is one of the most expensive cities in the UK for student rents, with typical rooms in Marchmont, Bruntsfield, and Newington running between £700 and £950 per month. Paying that amount for five or six weeks of empty-room occupancy makes professional storage look cost-effective by comparison. Some students negotiate with landlords to hand back keys temporarily or to sublet the room over Christmas, and both arrangements require moving belongings out first.
Distance is the other factor. Many Edinburgh students come from England, Wales, or further afield in Scotland. Taking a full term’s worth of belongings on the train is not practical. UniMove collects from your door in Edinburgh, stores everything at our secure depot in Longcot, Oxfordshire, and returns it to your Edinburgh address at the start of term. You travel light; your belongings travel separately.
Which Edinburgh Universities and Halls We Serve
We collect from students at all four of Edinburgh’s main universities:
- University of Edinburgh (Pollock Halls, Kings Buildings, Central Area): first-year students in Pollock Halls are among the most consistent users of Christmas break storage, as the halls close and students have no on-site alternative.
- Heriot-Watt University (Riccarton campus and Edinburgh city campus): Riccarton is a self-contained campus and its accommodation typically closes over the full Christmas period.
- Edinburgh Napier University (Sighthill, Craiglockhart, Merchiston): Napier’s halls operate a reduced service over Christmas. Napier students in private flats around Gorgie, Dalry, and Polwarth are regular bookers.
- Queen Margaret University (Musselburgh): QMU sits on the eastern edge of Edinburgh and its student village closes over Christmas, making storage a practical necessity for students who live on campus.
Edinburgh Neighbourhoods We Collect From
Our drivers know Edinburgh well. We collect from all the main student areas:
- Marchmont and Bruntsfield (densely populated with second and third-year students in traditional Edinburgh tenement flats)
- Newington and Causewayside
- Leith and Leith Walk (popular with Edinburgh Napier students and postgraduates)
- Stockbridge and Comely Bank
- Haymarket and Dalry
- Gorgie and Polwarth
- Morningside
- The Old Town and Grassmarket area
Edinburgh tenements have their own access challenges: narrow stairwells, no lifts in older buildings, and on-street parking restrictions near many student flats. Our crews plan for this. You pack the boxes; we carry them out. For a broader view of what we do across the city, see our Edinburgh student storage page. If you are in Pollock Halls specifically, our Pollock Halls storage guide covers the site layout and collection logistics in detail.
What to Pack and How Much to Send
The average Christmas break collection from an Edinburgh student is 4 to 8 medium boxes plus one or two suitcases. We sell our own flat-packed cardboard boxes (double-walled, approximately 50 x 40 x 40 cm) which we can deliver to your Edinburgh address before collection day. You can also use your own sturdy cardboard boxes.
We take:
- Cardboard boxes (any size)
- Suitcases and holdalls
- Sports bags and rucksacks
- Bikes (contact us before booking so we can advise on preparation)
- Flat-pack furniture and rolled items (contact us to discuss in advance)
We do not take perishables, liquids in open containers, or items requiring temperature control such as medication. If in doubt, contact us before collection day.
How the Christmas Break Service Works
- Get a quote at studentsummerstorage.com/get-a-quote/. The price is based on the number and size of items.
- Book your collection date in November or December. We recommend booking in October, as December slots fill quickly from Edinburgh.
- Pack your boxes and have them ready at the door or in your hallway on collection day.
- We collect, check items in, and transport everything south to our secure depot.
- Your belongings are stored until your chosen return date in January.
- We deliver back to your Edinburgh address at the start of term, on the day you chose when booking.
UniMove vs Other Options for Christmas Break Storage in Edinburgh
| Option | Typical Cost | Effort for You | Security | Practical for Edinburgh? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UniMove door-to-door | From approx £6/week per box | Pack boxes; we collect and return | Insured, alarmed depot | Yes. We collect from your door anywhere in Edinburgh. |
| Edinburgh self-storage unit | Monthly unit fee plus van hire | High. You hire a van, load it, drive to the depot, unload, repeat in January. | Varies by facility | Difficult without a car. Parking in Marchmont or Leith is restricted. |
| Taking it home by train | Extra journey cost; possible excess baggage | Very high. ScotRail and LNER have luggage restrictions and trains are busy in December. | You are responsible throughout | Manageable for one bag. Not practical for boxes and a full room of belongings. |
| Leaving it with a friend | Often nothing upfront | Finding a willing friend with space | No insurance cover | Works for one or two items. Not suitable for boxes, bikes, or bulky belongings. |
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I book Christmas break storage in Edinburgh?
Book in October if possible. December collection slots fill quickly from Edinburgh, particularly around the end of the University of Edinburgh teaching period in mid-December. Booking in November is usually still fine, but October gives you the widest choice of collection dates and more flexibility if your plans change.
What is the minimum storage period for Christmas break?
We typically work with a minimum of four weeks, which covers the standard University of Edinburgh Christmas vacation. If your break is shorter, contact us before booking and we will confirm what options are available for your specific collection and return dates.
Can you collect from Pollock Halls during the Christmas close-down?
Yes. We know the Pollock Halls site and can coordinate collection before the halls close. Check the exact close date with your accommodation office each year and book your UniMove collection at least two days before that date to allow for any schedule adjustment.
Do you collect from Edinburgh Napier and Heriot-Watt students too?
Yes. We collect from students at all Edinburgh universities and colleges, including Edinburgh Napier’s campuses across the city, Heriot-Watt’s Riccarton campus, and Queen Margaret University in Musselburgh. Just enter your Edinburgh address when you get a quote and we will confirm availability.
What happens if my return date changes when I come back in January?
Contact us as soon as you know your updated return date. We ask for a minimum of a few days’ notice to reschedule a delivery in Edinburgh. If your new term starts earlier or later than planned, we will do our best to accommodate the change, subject to availability on that date.
Is my property insured while it is in storage over Christmas?
Yes. All items stored with UniMove are covered by our storage insurance throughout the collection, storage, and return process. Our depot at Plover Barn, Longcot is alarmed and monitored. Check the current cover limit when you get a quote, and tell us in advance if you have high-value items.