Is the house easily accessible from the airport and train and bus stations?
Yes. See 'How do we get there?'

Is the house convenient for Festival-goers?
Yes! The Usher Hall, Royal Lyceum Theatre, Traverse Theatre, Filmhouse and Dance Base are all only a few minutes’ walk away, and many of the main Fringe venues are just as close. The Hub (the official centre for the Edinburgh International Festival) and the Festival Fringe office are a short walk away on the Royal Mile, which itself becomes an open stage for buskers and other performers.

Can we bring pets?
No.

Can we smoke in the flat?
For the comfort of future guests smoking is not allowed.

If we need information about how things work in the house, is there anyone on hand to help?
Yes. The owners live locally and can assist with any problems regarding the running of the property that can't be solved by reading our guest information pack.

Does the apartment have internet access?
Yes: there is free wifi internet access in the apartment. The property also receives a strong cellphone signal.

There are also a number of internet cafés nearby; for example, 'Internet Café' is at 98 West Bow, Victoria Street (0131 226 5400), Olly Bongos is at 4 Teviot Place and is free to café customers (0131 225 2849), E-Corner Internet Café is at 54 Blackfriars Street (0131 558 7858) and Bytes & Slices Internet Lounge is at 2 Waverley Steps by the Balmoral Hotel (0131 557 8887). Wireless internet access is available at Olly Bongos, the Blackfriars Street and the West Bow cafés.

Does the house have a garden?
There is a small shared courtyard area outside the front door of the property.

Is the house suitable for children?
Yes, and highchairs, cots, and other facilities for infants are available with prior notice. Children should be carefully supervised, since the house has an open spiral staircase.

Does the flat have a hairdryer, an iron and an ironing board?
Yes.

Recycling: Can we recycle our waste?
Yes, there are recycling facilities for glass, cardboard, plastic bottles, paper, etc. nearby. Full information is given in the guest information folder in the apartment. Also, if you would like to off-set the carbon emissions of your journey, please click here to go to Climate Care's website.

Does the house have wheelchair access?
The main access to the house is down a flight of steps from West Port, but there is also access at ground level from King's Stables Lane. There are a few steps in the hallway and a spiral staircase from the lower floor (bedroom and bathroom) to the upper floor (living room and kitchen).

Is there a list of emergency numbers in the house?
Yes. There is a full guest information pack with relevant numbers, and other useful information. We also keep a library of tourist information pamphlets and brochures, and we have a small stock of guides and city plans.

Is there a corner shop / convenience store nearby?
Yes. Festival Foodstore, which opens very early and stays open until 10pm Mon–Sat (8pm Sundays) is on the Grassmarket, 100 metres away from the house. Tesco, Sainsburys and Marks & Spencers supermarkets are also close to hand. The nearest Post Office is at 33 Forrest Road (which is reached by going up Candlemaker Row at the other end of the Grassmarket). Details are given in the guest information pack in the house.

The apartment is very near the award-winning Edinburgh Farmers' Market. The market takes place every Saturday year round from 9am to 2pm at Castle Terrace, under the imposing backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, only a few minutes' walk from the apartment. Over 70 specialist producers attend the market. The majority of stallholders are primary producers, growing what they sell. A quarter offer meat products, including specialities such as wild boar, venison, ostrich and water buffalo. Organic beef, chicken, lamb and pork are also available. Other types of produce include fish (lobster in season), free-range eggs (including duck eggs), cheese, seasonal fruit and vegetables, honey, chillies and plants. In addition you'll find producers who bake and prepare their own farm products. Guest producers provide specialities including organic beer, liqueurs, bread, chocolates and chutneys. Directions are given in the guests information pack in the house.

Where can we eat?
Edinburgh has a vibrant café and restaurant scene, and many pubs serve good food. Here's a small selection of options within walking distance of the house.

• On the Grassmarket

• Mamma’s American Pizza Company
• Petit Paris
• Ristorante Gennaro
• The Mussel and Steak Bar
• Aqua
• The Lot

• Within two minutes

• Abstract, Spital Street
• The Atrium, Cambridge Street
• Blue bar cafe, Cambridge Street
• Stac Polly, Grindlay Street
• Lazio, Lothian Road

• On Victoria Street, which is within five minutes

• The Grain Store
• Kushi’s
• Maison Bleue
• Howies
• Mariachi

• Within fifteen minutes

• The Hub, Castlehill
• The Witchery, Castlehill
• Dial, George IV Bridge
• The Olive Branch, George IV Bridge
• Amber, Castlehill
• The Outsider, George IV Bridge
• The Tower, Chambers Street

• For vegetarians

• Black Bo's, Blackfriars Street
• David Bann, St Mary's Street
• Kalpna, Nicolson Street
• Ann Purna, St Patrick Square
• Susie's Diner, West Nicolson Street
• Henderson's, Hanover Street (and Henderson's Bistro around the corner on Thistle Street)

... and many more. For full details of these and many other options, visit the List Eating and Drinking Guide.

Where's the best place to get breakfast?
It depends what you like for breakfast! Spoon on Blackfriars Street is good, though it's not open on Sundays, and there's Café Florentin on St Giles Street or Always Sunday at 170 High Street (on the left-hand side between North/South Bridge and George IV Bridge). For full details of these and many other options, visit the List Eating and Drinking Guide.

Where are the nearest pubs?
The Grassmarket is renowned for its pubs, from traditional venues like The Last Drop, The Beehive and The White Hart to more modern venues like Bar:Alba and Dragonfly. And there are lots of other pubs within staggering distance:

• The Black Bull, Grassmarket
• Maggie Dickson’s, Grassmarket
• Greyfriars Bobby, Candlemaker Row
• Deacon Brodie’s, Lawnmarket
• Bow Bar, Victoria Street
• The Jolly Judge, James Court, Lawnmarket
• Villager, George IV Bridge
• Bar Kohl, George IV Bridge

Are there public transport facilities nearby?
Yes. For local buses, there are bus stops on Grassmarket and West Port and on Lothian Road, within a few hundred metres of the house. There are many bus routes serving North Bridge, George IV Bridge and Princes Street. The Airport Express Bus Terminus and Waverley Railway Station are both a few minutes' walk away. You can also catch any of the Edinburgh city bus tours on the Grassmarket; these are a good way to get your bearings if you’re a first-time visitor.

Where can we hire a car?
There's a Europcar self-drive car-hire office in Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station (tel: +44 (0)131 556 5210). Another nearby self-drive car-hire company is Hertz Rent-A-Car at 10 Picardy Place (tel: +44 (0)8708 460013).

Is there any parking nearby?
There are parking meters on Grassmarket and on King's Stables Road, though the maximum parking period is 2 hours. All parking on meters and single-yellow lines is free from 6.30pm to 7.30am and all day on Sunday. We recommend that guests use the Castle Terrace Car Park, which is a couple of blocks away from the apartment. There is car and pedestrian access from both Castle Terrace and King's Stables Road. The car park is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Click on this website for latest prices and other information.

Where is the nearest tourist information office?
The main tourist information office is fifteen minutes' walk away, on Princes Street above Waverley Station.

Is there tourist information available in the house?
Yes. We keep a library of tourist information pamphlets and brochures, and we have a small stock of guides and city plans.

Is the house itself quiet?
Yes. The house is situated on a quiet lane, though if you are seeking guaranteed peace and quiet you are unlikely to find it in the centre of the Scottish capital.

Is there plenty of hot water?
Yes. There is a tank of hot water on demand.

Are we expected to clean up before we go?
We'd appreciate it if you can leave the house as clean and tidy as you found it.

Top of page