The twenty-five BT Telephone Exchanges (and fourteen former) in the Edinburgh (0131) telephone area
Abbeyhill ATE
Abbeyhill Telephone Exchange is located in London Road, Edinburgh EH7 6AA and serves Abbeyhill, Craigmillar, Meadowbank, Willowbrae and part of Lochend.
Prior to AFN (All-Figure Numbers) the exchange name was ABBeyhill.
The telephone codes for this exchange are 0131-652, 0131-659 and 0131-661.
ID: ESABB. Photo courtesy of David Hillas.
Abbeyhill former ATE
This is the site of the former Abbeyhill Telephone Exchange which was located in Wishaw Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 6AF and served Abbeyhill, Craigmillar, Meadowbank, Willowbrae and part of Lochend. Since it closed the exchange has since been demolished and replaced by apartments.
Prior to AFN (All-Figure Numbers) the exchange name was ABBeyhill.
ID: ESABB. Photo courtesy of Damon Wilkinson.
Colinton ATE
Colinton Telephone Exchange is located in Colinton Road, Colinton, Edinburgh EH13 0LB and serves Colinton, Juniper Green and the surrounding area.
Prior to AFN (All-Figure Numbers) the exchange name was COLinton.
The telephone code for this exchange is 0131-441.
ID: ESCTN. Photo courtesy of Damon Wilkinson.
Colinton former TE
The former Colinton Telephone Exchange is located in Thorburn Road, Colinton, Edinburgh EH13 0BQ and served Colinton, Juniper Green and the surrounding area. The building is now a municipal library.
The telephone code for this exchange was 031-441.
ID: ESCTN. Photo courtesy of Damon Wilkinson.
Corstorphine ATE
Corstorphine Telephone Exchange is located in St Johns Road, Corstorphine, Edinburgh EH12 7UU and serves Clermiston, Corstorphine and the surrounding area.
Prior to AFN (All-Figure Numbers) the exchange name was CORstophine.
The telephone codes for this exchange are 0131-316 and 0131-334.
ID: ESCOR. Photo courtesy of Damon Wilkinson.
Craiglockhart ATE
Craiglockhart Telephone Exchange is located in Craiglockhart Avenue, Edinburgh EH14 1LS and serves Craiglockhart, Sighthill, Slateford, Stenhouse and the surrounding area.
Prior to AFN (All-Figure Numbers) the exchange name was CRAiglockhart.
The telephone codes for this exchange are 0131-443, 0131-444 and 0131-455.
ID: ESCRA. Photo courtesy of Damon Wilkinson.
This exchange is scheduled to cease operation in April 2030 and close by September 2030.
Currie former ATE
The former Currie Telephone Exchange is located in Riccarton Mains Road, Edinburgh EH14 5PX and was equipped with a UAX13 with 102 lines in 1947.
From 3 April 1965 it’s subscribers were transferred to the Pentland exchange.
This exchange served Currie and the surrounding area.
Photo courtesy of Damon Wilkinson.
Dalkeith ATE
Dalkeith Telephone Exchange is located in Weir Crescent, Dalkeith EH22 3JN and serves Bonnyrigg, Dalkeith, Danderhall, Eskbank, Lasswade and Newbattle.
The telephone code for this exchange is 0131-654, 0131-660 and 0131-663.
ID: ESDAL. Photo courtesy of Damon Wilkinson.
Dalkeith former ATE
The former Dalkeith Telephone Exchange is located in Eskdaill Street, Dalkeith EH22 1LB and served Bonnyrigg, Dalkeith, Danderhall, Eskbank, Lasswade and Newbattle.
ID: ESDAL. Photo courtesy of Harry Cochrane.
Davidson’s Mains ATE
Davidson’s Mains Telephone Exchange is located in Craigcrook Road, Davidson’s Mains, Edinburgh EH4 7AZ and serves Cramond, Davidson’s Mains, Sliverknowes and parts of Barnton.
Prior to AFN (All-Figure Numbers) the exchange name was DAVidson’s Mains.
The telephone codes for this exchange are 0131-312, and 0131-336.
ID: ESDAV. Photo courtesy of Damon Wilkinson.
Davidson’s Mains former TE
The former Davidson’s Mains manual Telephone Exchange was located in Craigcrook Road, Davidson’s Mains, Edinburgh EH4 7AZ and served Cramond, Davidson’s Mains, Sliverknowes and parts of Barnton.
The exchange also housed the Peggy’s Mill CB10 manual exchange – it had 89 lines at 30/06/47 and, in Jan 1958, it was accessed by dialling PEG. The Davidson’s Mains ATE was in service alongside, with 1,645 lines.
Photo courtesy of Damon Wilkinson.
Dean ATE
Dean Telephone Exchange is located in Crewe Road South, Dean, Edinburgh EH4 2HX and opened in 1957. It serves Blackhall, Comely Bank, Dean, Drylaw, Muirhouse and Stockbridge.
Prior to AFN (All-Figure Numbers) the exchange name was DEAn.
The telephone codes for this exchange are 0131-315, 0131-332 and 0131-343.
ID: ESDEA. Photo courtesy of Isabel Hanson.
Donaldson ATE
Donaldson, Telephone Exchange is located in Russell Road, Edinburgh EH12 5NE and serves Dairy, Gorgie, Murrayfield and Roseburn. The former exchange, which is adjacent to the current building, was known as Murrayfield.
Prior to AFN (All-Figure Numbers) the exchange name was DONaldson.
The telephone code for this exchange is 0131-313, 0131-337 and 0131-346.
ID: ESDON. Photo courtesy of Damon Wilkinson.
Fairmilehead ATE
Fairmilehead Telephone Exchange is located in Buckstone Terrace, Edinburgh EH10 6QJ and serves Fairmilehead, Lothianburn, Swanston and parts of Braids.
Prior to AFN (All-Figure Numbers) the exchange name was FAIrmilehead.
The telephone code for this exchange is 0131-445.
ID: ESFML. Photo courtesy of Damon Wilkinson.
Fountainbridge ATE
Fountainbridge Telephone Exchange is located in Fountainbridge, Edinburgh EH3 8DJ and serves Bruntsfield, Fountainbridge, Lochrin and Tollcross. It was built between 1948 and 1952.
Prior to AFN (All-Figure Numbers) the exchange name was FOUntainbridge.
The telephone codes for this exchange are 0131-221, 0131-228 and 0131-229.
ID: ESFOU. Photo courtesy of David Hillas.
Granton ATE
Granton Telephone Exchange is located in Denham Green Terrace, Granton, Edinburgh EH5 3PE and serves Bonnington, Granton, Pilton and Trinity.
Prior to AFN (All-Figure Numbers) the exchange name was GRAnton.
The telephone code for this exchange is 0131-552.
ID: ESGRA. Photo courtesy of Damon Wilkinson.
Kirkliston ATE
Kirkliston Telephone Exchange is located in Queen Anne Drive, Newbridge EH28 8LH and serves Kirkliston, Newbridge, Ratho and Ratho Station.
The telephone codes for this exchange are 0131-333 and 0131-335.
ID: ESKRL. Photo courtesy of Damon Wilkinson.
Kirkliston former ATE
The former Kirkliston telephone exchange is located in The Glebe, Kirkliston EH29 9AS.
Formerly a UAX13, it closed in the mid-1970s and is now a private house.
Its dialling code was 050 03.
ID: ESKRL. Photo (2009) courtesy of Google Maps.
Lasswade former ATE
The former Lasswade telephone exchange is at 5 Eldindean Road, Bonnyrigg, EH19 2HE.
It came into service on 4 May 1937 as a UAX7. It closed on 1 March 1974 when all lines were transferred to Dalkeith exchange.
Its dialling code may have been 050 02, but it is not clear if this was ever used.
Picture courtesy of Harry Cochrane.
Leith ATE
Leith Telephone Exchange is located in Jane Street, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 5HE and serves Bonnington, Leith and the surrounding area.
Prior to AFN (All-Figure Numbers) the exchange name was LEIth.
The telephone codes for this exchange are 0131-553, 0131-554, and 0131-555.
ID: ESLEI. Photo courtesy of Damon Wilkinson.
Leith former ATE
The former Leith Telephone Exchange is located in Jane Street, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 5HE and served Bonnington, Leith and the surrounding area. The building since been converted into offices.
The telephone codes for this exchange were 031-553 and 031-555.
ID: ESLEI. Photo courtesy of Damon Wilkinson.
Liberton ATE
Liberton Telephone Exchange is located in Mount Vernon Road, Liberton, Edinburgh EH16 6JQ and serves Gilmerton, Gracemount, Liberton, Moredun and the Southhouse.
Prior to AFN (All-Figure Numbers) the exchange name was LIBerton.
The telephone codes for this exchange are 0131-658, 0131-664 and 0131-666.
ID: ESLIB. Photo courtesy of Damon Wilkinson.
Liberton former ATE
The former Liberton Telephone Exchange is located in Park Crescent, Liberton, Edinburgh EH16 6JD and served Gilmerton, Gracemount, Liberton, Moredun and the Southhouse.
Prior to AFN (All-Figure Numbers) the exchange name was LIBerton.
ID: ESLIB. Photo courtesy of Damon Wilkinson.
Loanhead ATE
Loanhead Telephone Exchange is located in Seafield Road, Bilston, Roslin EH25 9RW and serves Bilston, Loanhead and Roslin.
The telephone codes for this exchange are 0131-440 and 0131-448.
ID: ESLOA. Photo courtesy of Damon Wilkinson.
Loanhead former ATE
The former Loanhead telephone exchange is situated at 7 Polton Road, Loanhead EH20 9BU.
It came into service as a UAX13 at 1.15pm on 11 May 1950. It closed on 6 March 1974 and is now disused.
Its dialling code was 050 06.
ID: ESLOA. Photo courtesy of Harry Cochrane.
Maybury ATE
Maybury Telephone Exchange is located in Maybury Drive, Edinburgh EH12 8SF and serves Maybury and parts of Barnton, Clermiston and Corstophne..
The telephone code for this exchange is 0131-317 and 0131-339.
ID: ESMAY. Photo courtesy of Damon Wilkinson.
Morningside ATE
Morningside Telephone Exchange is located in Maxwell Street, Edinburgh EH10 5HT and serves Comiston, Greenbank, Morningside and parts of Blackford and Braids.
Prior to AFN (All-Figure Numbers) the exchange name was MORningside.
The telephone codes for this exchange are 0131-446, 0131-447, 0131-452 and 0131-453.
ID: ESMOR. Photo courtesy of David Hillas.
Morningside former ATE
The former Morningside Telephone Exchange is located in Newbattle Terrace, Edinburgh EH10 4RT and served Comiston, Greenbank, Morningside and parts of Blackford and Braids.
The building has since been converted into flats.
Prior to AFN (All-Figure Numbers) the exchange name was MORningside.
ID: ESMOR. Photo courtesy of Damon Wilkinson.
Murrayfield former ATE
The former Murrayfield Telephone Exchange is located in Russell Road, Musselburgh, Edinburgh EH12 5NE and serves Inveresk, Musselburgh and Wallyford.
The building has since been converted into flats.
Photo courtesy of Damon Wilkinson.
Musselburgh ATE
Musselburgh Telephone Exchange is located in Mansfield Road, Musselburgh EH21 7DS and serves Inveresk, Musselburgh and Wallyford.
Prior to AFN (All-Figure Numbers) the exchange name was MUSselburgh.
The telephone codes for this exchange are 0131-653 and 0131-665.
ID: ESMUS. Photo courtesy of Damon Wilkinson.
Newington ATE
Newington Telephone Exchange is located in Upper Gray Street, Newington, Edinburgh EH9 1SW and serves Mayfield, Newington, Prestonfield and St Leonards.
Prior to AFN (All-Figure Numbers) the exchange name was NEWington.
The telephone codes for this exchange are 0131-662, 0131-667 and 0131-668.
ID: ESNEW. Photo courtesy of Damon Wilkinson.
Pentland ATE
Pentland Telephone Exchange is located in Riccarton Crescent, Currie EH14 5PA and serves Balerno and Currie.
Prior to AFN (All-Figure Numbers) the exchange name was PENtland. It opened in 1963.
The telephone codes for this exchange are 0131-449 and 0131-451.
ID: ESPEN. Photo courtesy of Damon Wilkinson.
Portobello ATE
Portobello Telephone Exchange is located in Windsor Place, Portobello, Edinburgh EH15 2AA and serves Craigentinny, Duddingston, Joppa and Portobello.
Prior to AFN (All-Figure Numbers) the exchange name was PORtobello.
The telephone codes for this exchange are 0131-657 and 0131-669.
ID: ESPOR. Photo courtesy of Damon Wilkinson.
Ratho former ATE
The former Ratho telephone exchange was a UAX13 which stood at 10 Dalmahoy Road, Ratho, Newbridge EH28 8RE.
Since closure in 1975, it has been replaced by a house.
Its dialling code was 050 07.
Rose Street ATE
Rose Street Telephone Exchange is located in Rose Street, Edinburgh EH2 4LS and serves West Central Edinburgh and used to be known as Caledonian.
Prior to AFN (All-Figure Numbers) the exchange name was CALedonian.
The telephone codes for this exchange include 0131-220, 0131-225, 0131-226 and 0131-300.
ID: ESROS. Photo courtesy of Richard Sutcliffe.
Roslin former ATE
The former Roslin telephone exchange (seen on the right) stands at 4 Manse Road, Roslin EH25 9LF.
The first exchange on the site came into service as an RAX5 on 30 September 1930. It closed on 6 March 1974 when all lines were transferred to Loanhead exchange.
Its dialling code was 050 05.
Photo courtesy of Rightmove.
South Queensferry ATE
South Queensferry Telephone Exchange is located in Hopetoun Road, South Queensferry, Edinburgh EH30 9RH and serves Abercorn, Dalmeny and South Queensferry.
The former South Queensferry exchange stood on the north side of Hawthorn Bank, South Queensferry, Edinburgh EH30 9LN.
It was opened on 20 November 1935 as a UAX6.
It closed on 16 December 1972 and has since been demolished.
Its dialling code was 050 04.
The telephone codes for this exchange are 0131-319 and 0131-331.
ID: ESQUE. Photo courtesy of Damon Wilkinson.
Waverley ATE
Waverley Telephone Exchange is located in East London Street, Edinburgh EH7 4BH and serves East Central Edinburgh, Broughton and Canonmills.
Prior to AFN (All-Figure Numbers) the exchange name was WAVerley.
The telephone codes for this exchange include 0131-556, 0131-557 and 0131-558.
ID: ESWAV. Photo courtesy of David Hillas.
Wester Hailes ATE
Wester Hailes Telephone Exchange is located in Murrayburn Gate, Wester Hailes, Edinburgh EH14 9SS and serves Wester Hailes and parts of Craiglockhart.
The telephone codes for this exchange are 0131-442 and 0131-458.
ID: ESWHA. Photo courtesy of Damon Wilkinson.
Other former Edinburgh Exchanges
- Balerno Former ExchangeThe former Balerno ATE stood in Bridge Road, Balerno, Edinburgh EH14 7AQ. It came into service as a UAX7 on 20 November 1936 to replace a manual exchange which opened in 1914. It closed in the late 1960s, when lines were taken over by Pentland exchange. It has since been demolished. It did not have an STD dialling code.