Vacation Rentals by Owner

Extraordinary!

Guest: Dick & Joan (Eau Claire, Wisconsin USA)
Date of Stay: 05/02/12 Review Submitted: 05/20/12

My wife and I stayed seven days in the garden apartment. We not only pledged "we will surely return", we have already booked the dates and bought the air tickets! Pilrig House pulses with historical charisma. You get this by osmosis, but Phillip and Debbie fan those flames. The apartment is spotless, well appointed in all respects, overlooks a peaceful park - is quiet and well located. You do not need to rent a car. This is five stars +. A special bonus was the tremendous help and advisories given by Debbie, once we fixed our rental dates.

Owner response:And, the feeling is reciprocated! We can't wait to see you both again in September - and this 'advisory' is going to be up and about this time, and not 'in quarantine' - what a disappointment that was, for me anyway... Philip so enjoyed meeting and chatting with you both. You were lovely - and charming - guests - now friends. As owners, we often strike it lucky too - and award you the full five stars for being so nice and so open, enthusiastic and ready to enjoy your stay. Long may the pen-friend writing continue...

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Garden Apartment, Pilrig House

Guest: Judy (Vancouver, Canada)
Date of Stay: 03/25/12 Review Submitted: 04/24/12

We spent a week in the Garden Apartment in March 2012, and our only regret is that our stay wasn't longer. The apartment was immaculate, for starters, and beautifully and comfortably furnished. Arriving there after a long and tiring journey, we were given a warm welcome and enjoyed the tea, cookies and well-stocked fruit bowl provided. I was only half on holiday, having some work to do on my computer while I was there, and the peaceful, beautiful setting of the apartment was exactly what I needed. When we sat outside in the garden with our tea it felt as if the whole park was there just for us. It was only a short walk to groceries, and a 20 minute walk to downtown Edinburgh, with a bus just around the corner if we got tired after seeing all the sights. We had no trouble finding our way around, and Phillip and Debbie had several excellent suggestions for sights, shopping and restaurants. This was our first visit to Scotland, and we took full advantage of the apartment's many guide books and Scottish-themed CDs, DVDs, and novels - I'm now an Alexander McCall Smith addict! The added bonus was the telephone - Debbie made a point of letting us know that we could call anywhere in the UK or home to North America as often as we wanted, which gave us an opportunity to call family in the UK to confirm travel plans, and family and friends at home to tell them what a lovely time we were having. I would recommend the Garden Apartment to anyone, and look forward to staying there again.

Owner response:Thank you, thank you... Philip and I are so pleased you enjoyed your time here, and that you had a good time. We certainly hope that we do see you again... Debbie

Recommended for:Age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

charming historic Edinburgh property

Guest: canoeing couple (monterey, CA USA)
Date of Stay: 09/14/11 Review Submitted: 10/05/11

We stayed at the Pilrig House for two nights and enjoyed the housing, the 'close to all Edinburgh activities' location and the personal attention given to us by the owners. The facilities were more than adequate, very clean and maintained. The personal touches added a home-like atmosphere. We would recommend The Pilrig House to anyone visiting the charming, historic city of Edinburgh.

Owner response:Thank you - we are glad you enjoyed your short stay. Philip

Recommended for:Age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

PILRIG HOUSE - EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND

Guest: scoobie (Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA)
Date of Stay: 09/10/11 Review Submitted: 09/26/11

We loved Pilrig House. It has spoiled us for all others. All the kudos extended by other visitors are 100% true. Such a special place and such kind, caring, thoughtful hosts. I was especially impressed by the extensive DVD offerings. But...where was "The Queen"? Thank you, thank you, thank you, Debbie and Phillip. Edinburgh and Pilrig House were wonderful.

Owner response:Dear Rose and Vince, So glad you had a good time here.... we had a great time meeting you. And, so sorry, The Queen had taken up residence in the other apartments (sometimes I forget to get 3 copies of same DVD!)- well, at least I hope you are referring to the DVD and not me or Philip!! ha ha We should start a 'swap' system going here. Hope we see you again dear people...

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Newly Retired

Guest: Newly Retired (Walla Walla, WA USA)
Date of Stay: 09/03/11 Review Submitted: 09/21/11

Pilrig House is in a quiet neighborhood, a 20 minute walk to the hustle and bustle of Princes Street in downtown Edinburgh. Bus lines are around the corner and run frequently. Taxi service was excellent.Free parking is a plus when renting a car which we recommend for touring outside of the city. We found Pilrig House to be everything that was described and shown on their website. Amenities in the apartment were topnotch and included everything one would need from tea and biscuits to milk in the fridge and a decanter of whiskey on the counter. Debbie has assembled great notebooks to help guide one to special spots in the area. As first time travelers to Scotland, we were treated as friends, not merely renters, by Debbie and Philip. Debbie and I had corresponded by e-mail in the months previous to our visit so many of our questions were answered before we arrived. Philip offered to take us to the car rental agency which happened to be closed, so proceeded to take us on a tour of the area providing great local history and information. We would highly recommend this property to friends and relatives. There are so many attractions to visit in Edinburgh; if one starts by walking the Royal Mile towards the castle, you get a feel for the city and can branch out from there. Pilrig House is located in the Leith area of Edinburgh where there are many good restaurants within walking distance. We had a wonderful dinner at the Plumed Horse which is a highly acclaimed restaurant in the region. It was expensive but worth every penny. Our stay at Pilrig House for the week was the perfect place to begin our holiday.

Owner response:Nancy & Bob You were the perfect guests - pleasant, good company and a delight to have stay. We really are so glad that your special trip lived up to expectations, and that your stay here was a happy one - hopefully the first of many such trips in your retirement! Thank you. Hope we see you again. Debbie & Philip

Recommended for:Age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Our stay at Pilrig House

Guest: Dick & Carol (Signal Mountain, Tennessee, USA)
Date of Stay: 05/30/11 Review Submitted: 07/01/11

We stayed in the Garden Apt. at Pilrig House in late May 2011. The property was well cared for and colorful, with flowers in bloom. Our experience proved to be everything promised by the Web site, clean, comfortable, and well furnished with everything to suit our needs. Philip was very helpful in making suggestions about local eateries. We especially enjoyed breakfast at Valvona and Crolla's, one of his recommendations.

Owner response:Thank you for your kind comments, which are always much appreciated - it is lovely to know that you enjoyed your stay and liked the apartment. With thanks, Philip

Recommended for:Age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Staying at Pilrig House made my first trip to Edinburgh all the more wonderful

Guest: Anita (Toronto, Canada)
Date of Stay: 03/22/11 Review Submitted: 05/07/11

Based on a friend’s rave reviews about Pilrig House, I chose to stay here, in the Garden Apartment(Mar 22 – Apr 21 2011). After wonderful adventures during the day, I could come “home” to a clean, comfortable, and charming apartment to enjoy a quiet, peaceful evening in the garden or park, and then turn in for some of the best sleep (I slept like a rock), and then wake up each morning thoroughly rested to the sound of birds. I had the best of all worlds with Princes Street truly a 15 minute walk from Pilrig; frequent buses a 2 minute walk away which brought me into the downtown if I chose not to walk, or the Ocean terminal. Debbie and Philip were amazing hosts and lovely people. I’m already planning to go back in 2012. The listing description re location, the photos of the property and apartment -- are all accurate. Debbie and Philip were very helpful, and provided helpful hints, great directions, and the apartment was equipped with cds, dvd's, books, guides and a great guest book and overview to help to get oriented. I loved Edinburgh, and also took a number of small coach tours of the Highlands, and St. Andrews; Scotland is an absolutely, breathtakingly beautiful country. I highly recommend Pilrig House. I truly enjoyed my stay.

Owner response:Thanks for your lovely review Anita - we loved having you here and so look forward to your return... Debbie and Philip

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

First Trip to Endinburgh

Guest: Jeff & MJ (Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA)
Date of Stay: 09/29/10 Review Submitted: 04/14/11

We were on the trail of my husband's ancestry and spent the first part of our trip in Endinburgh at the Pilrig House. The apartment was a wonderful starting point and very convenient without being in the center City. Philip and Debbie went out of their way to make sure that your stay met every expectation and that we focused out time in Endinburgh to get the most out of our trip. Debbie even went the extra mile to help locate some family information and a couple of places we were having trouble locating. Philip is a wealth of information about the history of the area and the best places to see and eat. We could not have asked for better accommodations or hosts.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

the perfect vacation

Guest: Jean and Gary (Norwell, MA USA)
Date of Stay: 09/08/10 Review Submitted: 04/11/11

We decided to stay in a comfortable apartment and have our time be our own. We found a well appointed home with all that you would need and more. There was fresh fruit and a decanter with whiskey and coffee, tea and more to make our first day/night comfortable. But, the real "gems" were the owners...Philip and Debbie. They went out of their way to make sure that we knew where to go, what to see and if we needed anything. Philip is an incredible history buff and a gifted story teller. We stayed a week and had hoped to extend our stay but it was booked!! All you need to do is book this wonderful apartment and read the guest book in the home for places to visit, eat and see. Or...in a much more enjoyable fashion, take the time to meet the owners. You'll love them both. It was all that we had hoped for and more!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Perfect in so many ways

Guest: Durham Bill (Durham, NC, USA)
Date of Stay: 07/21/10 Review Submitted: 07/06/11

Spectacular old building in top shape, thoughtfully outfitted in every way one could want (right down to the whisky and small washer/dryer unit), incredibly gracious hosts, perfect location in between the incredible Edinborough and funky downtown Leith. Garden apartment is perfect for a couple.

Owner response:Glad you enjoyed your stay here, Bill, and funky Leith as well as Edinburgh city centre - we also agree that it is a great spot for relaxing and dining out by the waterfront. Thank you so much for conveying your appreciation, and, hope we see you back! Debbie & Philip

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Hope to be back someday soon!

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 03/04/10 Review Submitted: 04/10/11

We highly recommend the apartment. It's spotless, homey, comfortable, and provides everything you could possibly desire in a "home away from home". We have stayed in many rentals in Europe, and this one is on the top of the list. Personal touches such as fresh flowers, candies, breakfast provisions, and even a decanter of Scotch make this place not only special, but irresistable. The owners are welcoming, accommodating in every way, and pleasure to talk with....even giving us a short tour of the area. We can't wait to return!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Wonderful Experience

Guest: Jim and Diane (North Carolina, USA)
Date of Stay: 08/01/09 Review Submitted: 04/11/11

This is a great vacation rental. It was clean and well maintained and the owners were very helpful. It is in a good location which is convenient to bus transportation to get to the center of the city and also has parking. Lots of character. Highly recommended.

Recommended for:Age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Absolutely excellent!

Guest: Debbie (Ohio)
Date of Stay: 06/29/09 Review Submitted: 04/26/11

My husband and I stayed in the Garden apartment during the summer of 2009, and we could not have enjoyed our stay more. Our hosts were wonderful and accommodating, thoughtful and full of information. The apartment was a dream, the photos below really do not do it justice: it was lovely and extremely comfortable. We HIGHLY recommend this experience and all that these lovely people offer in this historic home. I wish I could retreat back tomorrow -- I certainly would if I could.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Pilrig House (Garden Apartment), Edinburgh

Guest: Diana (Brisbane, Australia)
Date of Stay: 05/10/09 Review Submitted: 04/11/11

We were lucky to have found such an historic and glorious building on our first visit to Edinburgh in May 2009. We arranged all of our accommodation via the internet and the website providing information on Pilrig House was 100% accurate in its descriptions of the buildings, location, service provided by the hosts etc. After an introduction to our most charming garden apartment, Philip was kind enough to take us on a 1 hr tour of the local area (we had just arrived after 25 hours flying from Australia) and apart from pointing out places of interest, directed us to a fabulous pub, just down the road, for an early dinner. The hosts at Pilrig House made our visit a memorable one and we have recommended it to friends in Australia. The apartment was spotless, the bed more than comfortable and the amenities quite luxurious. Makes me feel like staying there all over again! Apparently the weather during our visit was exceptionally good so that made it all the more enjoyable.

Recommended for:Age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

history and heaven

Guest: Lynnberg (Portland, Oregon)
Date of Stay: 04/10/09 Review Submitted: 04/10/11

We loved staying at Pilrig House. It really was like a slice of heaven in the big city of Edinburgh. We would walk across the back yard and through the park to reach the road where we could easily catch a bus to get anywhere. There are delightful touches in the apartment, historical information on the house and such peace and quiet. Phillip was a willing tour guide the first day as his schedule permitted and is quite a source of information as were the plentiful guidebooks in the apartment. We hope to get back there. I'm still using the bookmark with the photo of Pilrig House which is a wonderful reminder of this beautiful place.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Barbara and Gary (Shipley Yorkshire England)
Date of Stay: 11/02/08 Review Submitted: 11/02/08

We had a wonderful stay in Edinburgh which was enhanced by staying at Pilrig House in the Garden Apartment. The apartment was absolutely beautiful. Everything you could wish for in self catering accommodation, defintely 5 star. Philip and Debbie manage to be the ideal hosts, there when you need them and not when you don't. Full of knowledge about the city and the surrounding area. We will be returning, hopefully in the too distant future. We have already recommended this wonderful gem to our friends and family.

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Guest: Vibeke Strobel (Denmark)
Date of Stay: 08/28/08 Review Submitted: 08/28/08

We stayed in Garden Apartment one week in Juli and had a great time. Beautiful house and apartment,very clean an cosy. Nice to sit outside in the garden and enjoy the park. Short walk to citycenter. Debbie and Philip were very helpful. We would love to come back. Eivind, Sofie and Vibeke, Denmark

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Guest: Robin20 (Pennsylvania)
Date of Stay: 08/03/08 Review Submitted: 08/02/08

Debbie and Phillip made us feel like royalty during our stay in the Pilrig Garden Apartment. It was cleaner than clean, beautifully decorated, and felt like home!

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Guest: carol & red vermeire (Chicago, IL)
Date of Stay: 05/12/08 Review Submitted: 05/12/08

My husband and I have just returned from a week's stay at Pilrig House, April 23-30. We must share our enthusiastic comments about this extraordinary guest house and encourage anyone who visits Edinburgh to make this quiet, lovely oasis in the midst of this historic city their "home away from home". Debbie and Philip's gracious hospitality made our 40th wedding anniversary a celebration to remember--a bottle of chilled champagne, a card of well wishes, and fresh roses set the tone of our stay. Upon our arrival Debbie had also purchased food for our evening meal (at our request) and added a special dessert on her own. Debbie and Philip are the tourist's greatest assets; they will help in any way possible. Having an avid interest in history and literature, we found a gold mine in Philip's expertise as a guide to many spots we would not have seen on our own despite our best efforts as seasoned travelers. His anecdotes and knowledge of local lore are incomparable. Make a reservation at the beautiful accommodations of Pilrig House today!

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Guest: Brad and Sarah Weiser (Atlanta, GA USA)
Date of Stay: 05/02/08 Review Submitted: 05/02/08

My wife and I spent three wonderful days in Edinburgh in February. Pilrig House was everything we had been hoping for. A great location led to traveling around the city being a snap. We can't express our appreciation to Philip and Debbie enough for their hospitality. Philip was nice enough to show us around the city upon our arrival. To those reading this who are seriously considering accomidations in Edinburgh; you need to stop and email Debbie and Philip right now. You'll be glad you did.

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Guest: Sandra12 (Auckland, New Zealand)
Date of Stay: 01/11/08 Review Submitted: 01/10/08

I spent four nights at Pilrig House in the Garden Apartment in October 2007 and it truly was a magical experience. I knew it would be special but from the moment I walked through the front door the apartment exceeded all of my expectations. Absolutely everything was thought of right down to a torch on the keyring, perfect for coming home late at night. There was nothing more we could have asked for during our stay and the wonderful edition of two hosts so willing to share their knowledge of the area only adds to the experience. The photos do not do this wonderful apartment justice, you really do have to see it for yourself.

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Guest: Mike and Sheila Wood (Battle Creek, MI USA)
Date of Stay: 10/22/07 Review Submitted: 10/22/07

Imagine arriving in one of the world's most beautiful and charming cities, and settling into your own peaceful oasis, complete with historic significance as the childhood residence of the Robert Louis Stevenson family. The things you'll notice are that it's as clean and tidy as you'd aspire your own home to always be (!), there are sweet touches such as cookies, tea, a fruit basket, etc. all awaiting you (Debbie's touch) and a decanter of Scotch Malt Whiskey (Philip's touch)! The bed is comfortable and there is a nice collection of books and dvd's of movies you haven't but would like to have seen. The best part, for us, was meeting Debbie and Philip. Even before booking, Debbie sent a fantastic and thorough information sheet that answered all the questions I had, and some I hadn't thought of. Philip is an absolute delight, a great, witty conversationalist who made sure we found the city's secret treasures. They took a couple's ordinary travel plans and helped them become extraordinary! Do visit Pilrig House next time you come to Edinburgh. Everything is walking distance, and the hospitality and accomodations? Superb.

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Guest: John Breslin (Galway, Ireland)
Date of Stay: 07/29/07 Review Submitted: 07/29/07

We've just returned from a lovely stay at the Garden Apartment in Pilrig House. The location is excellent, between the centres of Edinburgh and Leith, and we couldn't say enough about the luxury of the apartment, with all the treats on arrival and the lovely furnishings and views. Thank you Debbie and Philip, we'll be back!

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Guest: Lorna and Graham Oliver (Sunderland)
Date of Stay: 07/24/07 Review Submitted: 07/24/07

We stayed in the Garden appartment and it was a fabulous break. Debbie and Phil couldn't have been more welcoming and they really did think of everything, including guided tours of Edinburgh. The property itself was immaculate and so peaceful. The accomodation was equiped with everything you could possibly need. We wanted to stay much, much longer. We loved sitting watching the squirrels right outside the window, we could have been in the middle of the country not within walking distance of a major city centre! It was a fantastic, enjoyable break and we hope to return very soon. Truly a fantastic place to stay.

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Guest: Gerrit Reijnders (Groningen / The Netherlands)
Date of Stay: 07/20/07 Review Submitted: 07/20/07

We stayed at Pilrig House from 11 to 17 July. It was great. Apart from the facts mentioned above (the welcome, the chocolates, the coffee and tea, the whisky, the flowers, the fruit (!)) there were the owners. Debbie and Philip really try to do their utmost to ensure a pleasant stay. They are extremely helpful and kind. The house is a treasure; it's charming and an invitation to relaxation.

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Guest: Michele Cole (Atherstone Warwickshire)
Date of Stay: 07/16/07 Review Submitted: 07/16/07

What can I say! What a treasure of a place to stay in! Our trip to Edinburgh in June was for my daughter's wedding and we wanted somewhere special to stay for the occasion. We couldn't have asked for more (except perhaps better weather!). This place is really a home from home and the attention to detail is incredible. The 'personal touches' were amazing, fresh fruit,chocolates,shortbread,whisky,fresh flowers..the list goes on! Pilrig park gives the feeling that you are in the countryside, yet you are only a 10 minute bus ride from the city centre with its beautiful historic buildings and all the attractions of this marvellous city! Secure car parking is a real benefit as you can safely leave your car and take advantage of the excellent public transport without the hassle of driving! I will certainly recommend this beautiful apartment to anyone looking to visit Edinburgh!

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Guest: Roxana Smith (Colorado Springs, CO)
Date of Stay: 07/13/07 Review Submitted: 07/13/07

Words fail me in describing how wonderful our stay was in this incredible garden apartment. From the moment we arrived we felt as though we were home. All the comforts were provided from fresh flowers and chocolates to milk and fruit. Maps and brochures of things to see and do in Edinbourgh as well as personal recommendations made our stay perfect. Debbie and Phillip were more than just hosts - they became friends. We recommend this apartment to everyone we meet and can't imagine staying anywhere else in Scotland!

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Guest: Katy Beinart (Oxford, UK)
Date of Stay: 07/10/07 Review Submitted: 07/10/07

We had a wonderful time staying at the garden apartment. Everything was carefully thought of, from the tasteful decoration and comfortable surroundings to delicious biscuits and useful welcome information. It was great to walk out through the garden and the park feeling as though we were residents of Edinburgh and even imagining going back in time to the days of previous residents! The only thing we would have changed would be to have stayed for longer.. Edinburgh is a great city to wander in, and has so much fantastic art and architecture, we needed more time to soak it all in. We'll be back!

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Guest: Sara Campbell (Castletown, Caithness, Scotland)
Date of Stay: 07/05/07 Review Submitted: 07/05/07

Our stay at Pilrig Garden Apartment was really enjoyable. Debbie and Philip went out of their way to make us feel welcome, and gave us lots of useful advice to help us navigate around Edinburgh. The apartment is in a beautiful setting, tastefully decorated and really is fully equipped! All of the extra touches made the apartment feel like a home rather than rented accommodation - fresh flowers, luxury toiletries, strawberries, ground coffee, organic milk and shortbread, not to mention an alarm clock at the bedside. Our 3 and 4 year-old sons had lots of space to play with their toys and watched some of the DVDs provided. The private, secure parking enabled us to leave our car and take the bus (bus stop around the corner) when we knew public transport would be an easier option to driving. All in all we certainly had a pleasant stay in Pilrig Garden Apartment.

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Guest: Peter Schaefer (Utah)
Date of Stay: 07/03/07 Review Submitted: 07/03/07

I cannot say I have had a similar experience as a guest in any type of accomodation - Pilrig house is tops! The house itself is a fascinating piece of history, having been built from the ruins of an old fort nearby. The owners, Debbie and Philip, became instant friends and provided far more than our every need - fresh strawberries and tasty scotch were left for our arrival! The house is outfitted with all the travel guides, maps, and all else you could ever want. We were even treated to a guided tour of Edinburgh. We'll be back for sure!

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