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4-Star Historic Rental - Once Home of Robert Louis Stevenson's Family

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A room with a view - Historical Pilrig House (1638) in its unique park setting

A room with a view - Historical Pilrig House (1638) in its unique park setting Balfour Apartment living-room windows (two) - parallel to sundial - what a view! Summertime in the front garden... a  green and tranquil oasis Your very own castle - well, almost! Pause and smell the roses - you're on holiday.... Hall table - FREE local and national telephone calls - books and DVDs aplenty Lovely hallway in the Balfour Apartment with real oak flooring Modern, fully-tiled bathroom with curved shower unit & heated towel-rail Spacious curved walk-in shower cabinet and full-length heated towel-rail Sunny and immaculate kitchen supplied with everything you will need Double bedroom with super-king size bed that can be separated into twins Beautiful second double bedroom with dual windows and a sense of peacefulness View from side of double bedroom - fully carpeted, and double mirrored wardrobes Spacious & elegant living-room - with three windows offering panoramic views Fire on, DVD started, cushions plumped - still want to go out anyone? Pass me the binoculars - the foxes are playing in the garden... Dine in style and take in the tree-tops as you relax... Coffee, shortbread, fruit - a good way to start your holiday Welcome Pack read, laptop connected to free Wi-Fi, write a postcard home? Be captivated by the changing seasons from your window at Pilrig House... Enjoy Edinburgh's winter wonderland & luxury Christmas hamper at Pilrig House! Winter night sky... Blue plaque on the wall of Pilrig House with RLS quote from his novel, Catriona Book now for the 2013 Golf Open at nearby Muirfield (£300/night for 8-night stay). Play golf in East Lothian.

Calendar

Last updated: 05/20/2013
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23 Selected dates
24 Special offer
  • Minimum stay:N/A
  • Internet:Yes
  • Pets allowed:No
  • Wheel chair accessible:No

2013: Entry in 'Top 100' Guide (Self-Catering Properties in Scotland)
2012: Winner:Top Vacation Rental - Edinburgh/FlipKey Award
2009: Scottish Thistle Award Winner - The Extra Mile
2008: Scottish Thistle Award Finalist - Accommodation - Customer Care

100% of Trip Advisor reviewers said they would recommend Pilrig House to a friend (124 out of 126 reviewers awarded us 5 stars!)

Pilrig House - The Balfour Apartment (Sleeps 4 max.)

Perfect for: One or two couples, 3 adults; or 2 adults with older children (over age of 7).....

Our lovely 4-star graded, 2-bedroom 'Balfour Apartment' is within Pilrig House - an A-listed, 17th-century Scottish townhouse (built in 1638), which has a distinguished history and a wonderful literary connection with Robert Louis Stevenson - it was his mother's family's home. RLS, as a child, visited and played in the gardens here - he mentions Pilrig House in many of his novels and letters, eg Kidnapped and Catriona.

An Enviably Peaceful Park Location
Pilrig House is uniquely located in a tranquil park, yet it is only a short stroll or 5 minutes by bus to Edinburgh's city centre and all the main attractions. Guests can enjoy sitting in the private garden, which offers secluded seating areas and is teeming with birds and squirrels - a wonderfully tranquil retreat, away from traffic noise.

A Treasure of an Apartment
Occupying a commanding second-floor position in Pilrig House, the Balfour Apartment offers impressive views of the entire park and front gardens, plus Edinburgh skyline, from the two window-seats in the spacious living-room.

The Accommodation
The interior is extremely comfortable & beautifully furnished: L-shaped oak-floored hall, wonderfully spacious living-room with designated dining area, double-aspect windows; two bedrooms - both doubles (1 with double bed and the other with super king-sized bed that can be separated to twins); a fully-equipped kitchen; and, a luxurious, fully tiled bathroom with spacious walk-in shower cabinet, heated towel rail and shaver point.

FREE Parking
Rare for Edinburgh city center rentals, we offer the bonus of a FREE allocated parking space in a safe private car park to the rear of the house.

A Home-Away-From Home: Included in the Price
FREE Unlimited High-Speed Broadband Wi-Fi internet access (and, for a tiny daily price, we can offer you a laptop should you want to leave yours at home), fine bedlinen, Egyptian cotton towels, all utilities - heating & electricity (no hidden costs). And, on arrival, refreshment tray, fresh flowers, crystal decanter of whisky, chocolates and fruit bowl; luxury Scottish toiletries; fluffy towelling robes/slippers, full Welcome, Places to Visit, Restaurant and Edinburgh Tour Packs, up-to-date Tourist information file, telephone (FREE local & national calls & with telephone answer service), Pilrig House postcards, bookmarks & stationery; a selection of novels, Edinburgh guidebooks/ maps/DVDs, AA-Touring Atlas, board games, binoculars, CDs/DVDs, and many other thoughtful extras.

Facilities
Broadband Wi-Fi access, iPhone/iPad Docking Speaker, flat-screen TV, Digital TV, CD-Player, DVD-Player, Digital Radio, Clothes Washer/Dryer, Ironing facilities, Fridge, Freezer, Dishwasher, Blender, Microwave, Oven, Hob, Coffee-Maker, Hairdryers, Real Flame-Effect Fire, Adjustable Heating & Overhead Dimmer Lighting in all rooms.

The Owners
We - Debbie and Philip - live in Pilrig House and personally warmly welcome all our guests, and are on-hand throughout your stay to offer advice and assistance, if required or wanted!

Our Reviews
We could add hundreds of 'Owner-Added Reviews' from our apartment Guestbook, but we prefer to let previous guests voluntarily choose to review us and award us their star grading on VRBO. We hope this reassures you as to the authenticity of all the reviews you read. On our own website, you can also read in excess of another 100 independent guest reviews, and view our apartment's Guestbook comments.

Conditions
Open all year. The apartment is non-smoking, but you are welcome to smoke outside, and, sorry, no pets. We have a 3-night minimum stay/price policy, except in August (the Edinburgh Festival) – 7 nights; May/June/July - 4 nights; & Christmas/New Year - 7 nights.

Payment
For bookings of 7 nights or less, we ask for payment on booking. For bookings exceeding 7 nights, we ask for 50% payment on booking, and 50% is due 8 weeks before your stay.

We send an online payment request by credit or debit card.

Cancellation Policy
We ask all guests to complete a Booking Form on our website, and, before doing so, to read our clear Terms & Conditions page on our own website.

Rates
Please view our extremely competitive nightly rates & reduced weekly rates, as also stated accurately on the listing page ( NOT the 'per person per night' rate which we feel is disingenuous as it does not give the actual min. price per night or per week).

Discounts (on nightly rates) for longer stays:
2 weeks: 15%
3 weeks: 20%
4 weeks or longer: 25% (we are flexiblle and can offer bigger discounts here if for a long stay in low season - do ask!)

We also offer reduced nightly and weekly rates for 1 or 2 people staying if both other apartments are already booked - please enquire.

Note: if your party comprises 2-3 people and the Balfour Apartment is already booked for the dates you want, do look at our Park and Garden Apartments' availability!



Keywords: Apartment, Flat, Historic, Unique, Peaceful, City, Romantic, Award-Winning, Luxury, Unusual, Four-Star

Property Type

      • Apartment

      Accommodation Type

          • Vacation Rental

          Meals

              • Guests Provide Their Own Meals

              Onsite Services

                  • Housekeeper Optional

                  Suitability

                  • Minimum Age Limit For Renters:

                    Age 7 or over. This apartment is ideal for couples, couples plus an older child or two older children, 3 adults, or two couples. Many couples prefer the additional space that the Balfour Apartment provides - both double bedrooms are spacious and sunny. For one couple staying - If both other apartments are already booked for your chosen dates, we can supply a discounted nightly rate for the Balfour....morecollapse

                  • Non Smoking Only:

                    You are very welcome to smoke outside in the gardens or park.....morecollapse

                  • Pets Not Allowed
                  • Long-Term Renters Welcome

                  Bedrooms

                  • 2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 4, Beds for 4
                  • Bedroom 1
                  • Bedroom 2
                  • Details:

                    King size beds (1) Super-king-sized bed, sprung mattress and base. suede headboard, and the very best mattress toppers on all beds - to ensure you get that you get the most comfortable night's sleep (see 'Bedlinen'). And, NO restrictive bed end!, Double Beds (1) Standard double bed of the highest quality - see King Bed for details!, Twin or Single Beds (1) The SKS bed can be separated into twins for your convenience....morecollapse

                  Bathrooms

                  • 1.0 Bathrooms
                  • Bathroom 1

                  Kitchen & Dining

                  • Kitchen:

                    Fully-equipped kitchen with every appliance you could need: oven, hob, microwave, fridge, freezer, dishwasher, clothes washer/dryer, refreshment tray with shortbread, and many extras you will find extremely helpful: napkins, dishtowels, oven glove, apron, teabags/herbal teabags, coffee/real coffee and filters for the coffee-maker and caffetaire provided, sugar, condiments, cleaning materials and sandwich bags/clingfilm/tinfoil, and more!...morecollapse

                  • Cooking Utensils:

                    All the utensils you could possibly want or need: crockery, good-quality cutlery, glasses, pots and pans, oven dishes, bowls, blender, and much more!...morecollapse

                  • Refrigerator:

                    Full-size fridge with milk and mineral water on arrival. Freezer is same size and has bag of ice on arrival....morecollapse

                  • Microwave:

                    Standard size (instructions supplied as for all kitchen White goods)....morecollapse

                  • Oven
                  • Coffee Maker
                  • Toaster

                  Amenities

                  • Linens Provided:

                    Fine, high-threadcount Egyptian-cotton bedlinen on beds, plus neck bolsters & cushions; luxury, top-of-the-range, ultra-deep duck feather and down mattress toppers - for that 'sleeping on a cloud' experience; mattress protectors, pillow protectors, feather pillows (foam pillow provided if allergic to feathers), and throws on all beds. Quilts also provided in winter-time....morecollapse

                  • Wood Stove:

                    We have no gas appliances in the apartment - there is an electric real flame-effect fire in the living-room, and wall-mounted electric heaters in all other rooms - so, you can adjust the temperature to suit how you like it! We always ensure the apartment is nice and warm for you on arrival....morecollapse

                  • Air Conditioning:

                    In Scotland, we sadly never hit the tropical heat that merits air-conditioning and so do not require air-conditioning - sadly! You can open all windows in the apartment should the occasion arise when you feel too warm! We also have fans in the apartment if you want them......morecollapse

                  • Washing Machine:

                    Washer/Dryer for small loads. We also supply details of a local laundrette, where you can leave your larger-load washing for a 'service wash' - you drop off and collect it later - washed and dried - for a small charge...morecollapse

                  • Parking Off Street:

                    Free parking - and rare for Edinburgh - we have a private car park to the rear of the propert. On arrival you will be shown your allocated parking space. In Edinburgh, 'off-street parking' refers to s...morecollapse

                  • Clothes Dryer:

                    See Washer....morecollapse

                  • Iron & Board
                  • Towels Provided
                  • Fireplace
                  • Parking
                  • Heating
                  • Hair Dryer

                  Other Amenities

                      • Details:

                        Scotch Malt Whisky Society Membership We are delighted to offer Pilrig House guests membership of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. This entitles you to attend exclusive tastings and events, or to dine in either of the Society’s distinctive premises in Edinburgh – the historic Vaults at the Shore area of Leith - a 10-minute walk away, or in the city centre's beautiful Georgian townhouse Queen St premises. Discover the best single cask, single malt whisky available to mankind – uniquely bottled for the Society from over 120 distilleries....morecollapse

                      Entertainment

                      • Video Library:

                        Extensive DVD library to choose from, and to suit all tastes, including an Edinburgh and Scotland DVD, and many box-sets of the best film and TV series....morecollapse

                      • Music Library:

                        Large CD library to suit a range of tastes. iPad/iPhone Docking Speaker - so you can listen to your own music....morecollapse

                      • Satellite / Cable:

                        Digital TV - an extra 20 or so channels, including 'World News'....morecollapse

                      • DVD Player
                      • Stereo
                      • CD Player

                      Communications

                      • Mobile Phone:

                        We have a cell phone you can have when here, on request - preloaded with £10 calls on it - all you pay is the 10 of calls preloaded. Top-Up card supplied with the phone....morecollapse

                      • Wireless Internet:

                        Free Broadband, High-Speed Wi Fi internet access - log-in details provided in the Welcome Pack....morecollapse

                      • Computer Available:

                        Laptop and printer available for daily hire, should you wish to leave your laptop behind....morecollapse

                      • Telephone:

                        Free local and national calls, and with Call Minda telephone answering service....morecollapse

                      Outdoor Features

                          • Lawn / Garden

                          Theme

                          • Luxury
                          • Historic

                          Location & View

                          • Monument View:

                            The apartment, being on the second floor of the house, from the living-room window-seats offers the most wonderful views over the park, and of the Edinburgh skyline - Holyrood Park, Arthur's Seat ...morecollapse

                          • Car Not Necessary

                          Activities

                          • Autumn Foliage
                          • Tennis
                          • Swimming
                          • Rock Climbing
                          • ATM/Bank
                          • Laundromat
                          • Groceries
                          • Fitness Center
                          • Medical Services
                          • Massage Therapist
                          • Sight Seeing
                          • Scenic Drives
                          • Bird Watching
                          • Horseback Riding
                          • Walking
                          • Antiquing
                          • Shopping
                          • Miniature Golf
                          • Botanical Garden
                          • Churches
                          • Cinemas
                          • Library
                          • Marina
                          • Museums
                          • Golf
                          • Playground
                          • Live Theater
                          • Coin Laundry
                          • Restaurants
                          • Ruins
                          • Zoo
                          • Health/Beauty Spa
                          • Water Parks
                          • Cycling

                          Other Activities

                              • Details:

                                At Pilrig House, you are in the heart of the city just 15 minutes' walk from Princes Street and all of Edinburgh's main attractions. But, you'd be forgiven for thinking that you're in the middle of the Scottish countryside. Why? To begin with, there's the greenery. People tell us that staying in Pilrig House is like staying on a country estate. And then there's the peace. Our parkland location is wonderfully tranquil, and the House's thick stone walls ensure that any noise has a long way to go before it disturbs your relaxation. From Pilrig House, you are also a 10-minute walk from the fashionable Shore area of Leith - Edinburgh's historic port area, which boasts many recommended wine bars & restaurants on the waterfront, including two Michelin-star restaurants. It is also where The Royal Yacht Britannia is berthed. We are also a 15-min stroll from Edinburgh's Botanical Gardens, and a 10-minute walk from the Playhouse Theatre and a multi-screen cinema. We are located mins' walk from the nearest bus-stop (buses travel to the centre of town every few minutes), swim/gym centre, eatery, local shop, supermarket, Edinburgh Woollen Mill, auction house, laundrette, church, Martin Wishart's Cook School (Michelin-star restaurant owner), Leith School of Art, and a large selection of other independent shops and restaurants.... With the added bonus of FREE parking (very rare for Edinburgh!), you also have the benefit of being able to take some beautiful drives in the nearby countryside, or even further afield - we have a specially created file for those people with cars - which gives great recommendations of places to visit within a 2-hour boundary of Edinburgh, and includes maps and photographs. Our AA-touring atlas also comes in handy! Pilrig House is within walking distance of the centre of Edinburgh, yet it's completely tranquil, and both bedrooms offer leafy views of those 'brave young woods'. Scotsman, November 2005 ...morecollapse

                               

                              Reviews

                              Write a review
                              • The best apartment we have ever stayed in

                                The best apartment we have ever stayed in

                                • Guest Et & Ken
                                • Date of stay 04/05/13
                                • Review Submitted 04/21/13
                                The Balfour Apt was easily the most luxurious home from home we have stayed in. It was beautifully furnished with top quality bed linen, beautiful furniture, décor and everything you could wish for in the kitchen from coffee makers, champagne bottle stopper and pots & pans better than at home! I will definitely be nicking some of Debbie's design features for any future home we may have! A lovely personal touch from Philip was taking us on a trip of Leith to show us the area and as we may one day move to Edinburgh, a really interesting insight into property from a local's point of view. Location wise Pilrig House is very close to City Centre, walkable but lots of regular busses passing near by. Lots and lots of lovely restaurants within a 10 minute walk at the Port. The view from the apartment is over the park with dog walkers aplenty. It was just so peaceful and astonishing that it is so close to a city centre. We loved staying at Pilrig House, will definitely be back and would highly recommend the Balfour Apartment.

                                Recommended for: Sightseeing, tourists without a car, age 55+, romantic getaway.

                                Owner response: Dear Ethna and Ken, Thank you for your review of your stay - we are so pleased you enjoyed your stay, the apartment, and the location - and we look forward to seeing you again in the future. Best wishes, Debbie & Philip

                                Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

                              • very nice apartment

                                very nice apartment

                                • Guest Rob
                                • Date of stay 12/14/12
                                • Review Submitted 12/23/12
                                In Leith in the north from Edinburgh is this appartement for 4,about 25 min walk from princesstreet. It is at the 2e floor of pilgrimhouse at a park ,very nice situated. The appartement has a very warm and clean and new atmosfeer.The owner has taken care that everything is perfectly alright.Whisky,water,milk ,manderins,coffee and thee as oil and vinager ,spices an sugar.Massief DVD's en cd's for everybodys choice.Perfect dishwasher and wasmachine and dryer in one. Perfect beds and very nice bathroom.After a day out perfect coming home.

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

                                Owner response: Thank you the ter Braak family from Holland - delighted you enjoyed your stay here, and we hope we may see you again! With best wishes for 2013, Debbie & Philip

                                Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

                              • The best of Scottish hospitality!

                                The best of Scottish hospitality!

                                • Guest Kathy
                                • Date of stay 10/06/12
                                • Review Submitted 11/10/12
                                My husband and I recently stayed at Pilrig House...It's absolutely the most elegant rental we've stayed in. Beautifully furnished, the apartment has a well stocked kitchen, lovely view, a fireplace, comfortable beds and it's in a great location...right off the park and we could walk everywhere...The hosts, Debbie and Philip Martin were extremely gracious and extraordinarily helpful and generous. We will come back to Edinburgh and wouldn't think of staying anywhere else.

                                Recommended for: Sightseeing, tourists without a car, age 55+, romantic getaway.

                                Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

                              • Canadian Adventurers: daughter and retired father

                                Canadian Adventurers: daughter and retired father

                                • Guest Douglas
                                • Date of stay 10/17/12
                                • Review Submitted 11/02/12
                                Premises gleaming clean upon our arrival. The photos of the advertised space are accurate. Upon arrival at 9:00 on a rainy mid-October evening we were cheerfully greeted at the taxi by Debbie armed with umbrellas and took us to Balfour spending half an hour with us getting us acquainted with the area maps in readiness for our stay. Philip is an historian, a native of Edinburgh and both he and Debbie are fully versed in all the local attractions and tours. All of our questions of the area were answered and the property is located almost exactly midway from the base North Bridge at High Street in Edinburgh to the town centre in Leith. Bus service readily available either at Pilrig Street or Leith Walk if you don't want to head out on foot, but we found that over our two-week stay an easy walk to both Edinburgh's attractions and the Leith restaurants. The property has a tranquil garden area and we rested on a garden bench watching the birds at the feeder for a short while in the afternoon arriving home from the hustle Edinburgh's shopping along Princes Street and the Royal Mile. Debbie and Philip are natural, ernest and caring caretakers of the property and it is easy to see how they are Thistle award winners. Recommended attractions are: The Edinburgh Castle: HolyRood Palace and Abbey: Mary's Close underground tour: Rabbies single day tours (we took two and they were great); Leith Waters walk - I got a photo of a blue heron at the weir; New Town for dinner or lunch - interesting walk along George, Thistle and Queen; Leith town centre along river's edge; the lighthouse at Newhaven; Bus Route 16 past NewHaven to Lauriston Castle; a train ride to Stirling and visit the Castle - the jail tour fell short of my expectations but the castle tour was amazing; a short ride to St Andrews golf course if you are interested but the university tops the golf course for reverent grace; a tour through Perthshire (Central Highlands) with Rabbies in autumn brings stunning beauty. I could go on and on. I treasure the time spent with Philip and Debbie as their understanding of the history and culture of not only the Leith and Edinburgh areas but of all of Scotland is impressive.

                                Recommended for: Sightseeing, adventure seekers, tourists without a car, age 55+, romantic getaway.

                                Owner response: Hi Douglas, We are both so pleased you, and your lovely daughter Heather, enjoyed your time here and got to relax a bit, as well as tour and see the sights. It was a total pleasure having you to stay as guests. I look forward to seeing some of your pics, including the blue heron one? Hope you will return one day, and we shall meet again, all the best, Debbie

                                Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

                              • Mother/daughter holiday

                                Mother/daughter holiday

                                • Guest Golfer girl
                                • Date of stay 07/22/12
                                • Review Submitted 09/20/12
                                My daughter and I recently traveled to Scotland from Tennessee for a dream come true holiday. Our stay at the Pilrighouse house was absolutely lovely. The apartment was exceptional and had any accommodation that one could ask for. The owner was extremely helpful with any events that we might want to attend and was an aid with all directions. To anyone that is making plans for time in Edinburgh, let Pilrig House be your place to stay.

                                Recommended for: Sightseeing, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, girls getaway.

                                Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

                              • Home Away From Home

                                Home Away From Home

                                • Guest Jamie
                                • Date of stay 09/03/12
                                • Review Submitted 09/18/12
                                From the minute we arrived we were met by Phil, who welcomed us, gave us a tour, provided a little history of Pilrig House, and pointed out the local attractions. The house was beautiful, comfortable, and felt like home. Waking up in the morning and looking out over the park was a great way to start the day. We are already making plans to return.

                                Recommended for: Sightseeing, tourists without a car, age 55+, romantic getaway.

                                Owner response: Thank you Jamie and Lynnell - we really do hope you'll come back - you were amazing guests! Philip and Debbie

                                Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

                              • Perfect place!

                                Perfect place!

                                • Guest French
                                • Date of stay 07/28/12
                                • Review Submitted 08/19/12
                                We enjoyed staying at Pilrig House, it was conform to the description and the owners were very nice. It is well located and great with children with the park so close.

                                Recommended for: Sightseeing, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, families with young children.

                                Owner response: So pleased that you and your family enjoyed your stay. Thank you for taking the time to review your stay. We are delighted to welcome families with children over the age of 7.

                                Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

                              • Perfect in Every Way

                                Perfect in Every Way

                                • Guest Aspiring1
                                • Date of stay 06/16/12
                                • Review Submitted 07/04/12
                                My husband and I shared the Balfour Apt with a friend for 8 days. I cannot remember a time when I have stayed in a rental apartment that was this perfect for our needs. The attention to detail is amazing. Who would have thought that a vacation rental would come complete with fresh flowers, chocolates, fruit, and scotch whiskey not to mention the coffee, tea, milk and shortbread cookies. The kitchen was more than adequate. Debbie and Phillip are wonderful hosts.Every request for information was met with enthusiasm and kindness. I particularly liked the comfortable beds, the inexhaustible supply of movie DVDs, and the wonderful views of the park. We did not rent a car and found that the local buses were clean and efficient in getting us to the city centre and other areas of interest. Next time we vacation in Edinburgh, I will call Debbie first to make sure they have a booking available BEFORE I book our plane tickets. Pilrig House is that good!

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

                                Owner response: Dana and Bill, and Fran, You were a delight to host - so glad that you enjoyed your stay in the Balfour Apartment - and were comfortable and felt at home - the movies and views do come to the rescue when it is raining! I look forward to hearing about your walking tour of Scotland after you left here, and to hopefully seeing you again if ever you return to these shores. Debbie & Philip

                                Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

                              • Wonderful City Stay

                                Wonderful City Stay

                                • Guest Kendra
                                • Date of stay 06/09/12
                                • Review Submitted 06/24/12
                                The apartment was lovely, clean and well maintained. The pictures of the apartment were beautiful, but it was even better than anticipated. Debbie and Phillip were great hosts and provided lots of useful information for our stay as well as recommendations for activities, dining, etc. The apartment was well stocked with loads of little extras. The location couldn't have been more perfect. It was a quiet, parklike atmosphere, but still easy walking distance to attractions. Would definitely recommend.

                                Recommended for: Sightseeing, tourists without a car, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, families with young children.

                                Owner response: Thanks Kendra! Glad you enjoyed your stay here at Pilrig House, and found it to be even better than expected - that's a delight to hear. Hope we may see you here again if ever you return to Scotland! Debbie

                                Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

                              • Fantastic Accommodation

                                Fantastic Accommodation

                                • Guest DKW
                                • Date of stay 05/17/12
                                • Review Submitted 06/04/12
                                Our recent stay in Pilrig House was everything we hoped for and more. The apartment is comfortable, spacious, beautifully furnished and has every amenity. From the very beginning we received regular and very helpful communication from the Pilrig House owner, and upon our arrival we received a warm personal welcome. The owner had stocked the apartment and refrigerator with many items to make our stay more enjoyable. Although we chose to walk to all the wonderful sights in the bustling city of Edinburgh, the bus stop is only a block away and runs frequently. Restaurants and shopping are within an easy walk. The house itself is in a very quiet and peaceful setting making it easy to relax after a busy day of sightseeing. We will definitely plan to return to Pilrig House when we make our next trip to Edinburgh.

                                Recommended for: Sightseeing, tourists without a car, age 55+, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, families with young children, girls getaway.

                                Owner response: Dear Kathi and Doug, Delighted that you enjoyed your stay here at Pilrig House - you were the most gracious of guests and we would love to see you again! It is helpful your mentioning the proximity of Edinburg's city centre, as so many VRBO enquiries ask this question! Thank you. Wish I had 'bumped into' you both in Peebles that glorious weekend after you ahd left.... Thank you for taking the time to review your stay. Best Wishes Debbie & Philip

                                Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

                               
                              November to January ....... £130/night ..£820/week (3-night min. stay/rate)
                              February to March ......... £140/night ..£890/week (3-night min. stay/rate)
                              April to May .............. £150/night ..£950/week (3 nights April/4 nights May)
                              June to July .............. £200/night ..£1,250/week (4-night min. stay/rate)
                              August..................... £215/night ..NO DISCOUNTS (7-night min stay/rate)
                              September to October....... £150/night ..£950/week (3-night min. stay/rate)
                              Christmas Week/Hogmanay Week. £1,225/week (min. stay).. £2,200/fortnight
                              Lower rates for 1 or 2-people stays - please enquire. No hidden charges or taxes.
                              

                              Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.


                              This owner accepts: Credit cards.
                              Call the owner directly to confirm reservation details and pay with an approved method (credit card, check, or bank transfer), to protect your payment up to $1,000.

                               

                              Calendar

                              Last updated: 05/20/2013
                              Check availability
                              23 Available
                              21 Unavailable
                              22 Today
                              23 Selected dates
                              24 Special offer
                               

                              Location

                              • Nearest Airport: Edinburgh International Airport at 12 Miles
                              • Nearest Ferry: Rosythe at 20 Miles
                              • Nearest Train: Waverley Station at 1.4 Miles
                              • Nearest Motorway: A1 at 7 Miles
                              • Nearest Beach: Portobello at 1 Miles
                              • Nearest Barpub: Bonnington's at 100 Metres
                              • Nearest Ski: Hillend Dry Ski Slope at 7 Miles
                              • Nearest Golf: Silverknowles Golf Course at 2 Miles
                              • Nearest Restaurant: Fishers Seafood Restaurant at 1 Miles
                               

                              Owner info

                              Year Purchased: 2006

                              About the owner: Philip and I enjoyed our wedding party at Pilrig House - here we are on the steps of the Park Apartment. Philip is a retired mechanical engineer, who travelled the world as a naval engineer for many years - living in Mexico & Belize for periods of time. He is an amateur historian & has amazing local & Scottish historical knowledge... and, is also a keen 'treasure hunter' - goes off frequently to local sites with his metal detector. I am an ex-copy editor who worked for over 20 years in the field of publishing, & then on a freelance basis as an editor/proofreader. We both enjoy travel, books, films &, life in general. We decided, after meeting, that we couldn't bear to sell Philip's apartment in Pilrig House - it was just so special, & so we decided to turn it into a rental apartment. A year later, with great joy, we moved back into the house ourselves, then we purchased another apartment for renovation and rental, and so it just grew over the years since we started up. We have made many great friends, and still gain enormous joy and satisfaction in welcoming visitors here from around the world. It is also lovely that so many people come back time and time again. Our emphasis, right from the start, was to create incredibly clean & exceptionally comfortable, accommodation, with in excess of the usual facilities found in vacation rentals – & to maintain this high standard. We also wanted to ensure we met our guests’ needs, and so listened to our visitors and took on board, almost without exception, all comments and suggestions over the years. We always personally offer a warm welcome, and are really pleased to be able to provide further support your stay, if it is wanted! On arrival, we take you into the apartment, showing you all the need-to-know things, and will always take as long as you want to answer all your questions – it is nice to meet the owner & to know we are on-hand should you need us & not worry that you are dealing with an anonymous third party.

                              Why the Owner Chose Edinburgh:
                              Well - there's the fact the Pilrig House is utterly unique as an historic 17th-century townhouse in Edinburgh, then there's the lovely location, and the parkland and Edinburgh skyline views... And the peace! Then, there's the wonderful ambience in the house itself - it really is special. And, the private parking, the beautiful gardens... there is so much to enjoy about living here. We just couldn't replicate what Pilrig House offers if we searched the length and breadth of Edinburgh. And the fact that we can walk into the centre of Edinburgh in 15 mins, or take a bus right outside the park... more than anything, we love the feeling of living in the country while living in the city. And, the centre of Edinburgh is under a mile away – most guests walk there, and sometimes take a bus home at the end of the day… and describe their pleasure at returning to the peace and tranquillity of Pilrig House. Great shops are almost on your doorstep – supermarkets, cafes, bars, restaurants…all within easy walking distance. In each apartment, the living-rooms & bedrooms have park and/or garden views – a lovely change from looking out onto city streets or other buildings! The house’s history also gives it a special feel – some people liken it to staying in a Scottish castle… Robert Louis Stevenson’s mother lived in Pilrig House and he visited here often as a child – we include his novels in all three apartments, so you can read extracts that refer to Pilrig House, and imagine living in another time… One national newspaper journalist wrote after staying here that the house has a ‘timelessness’ that made for instant relaxation…. We have many US & Canadian guests who come back every year, & European guests who visit at least 6 times per year – and they have stayed previously in the best hotels and now choose to stay here… Our Guestbook comments and reviews on all independent sites have been 100% positive - hopefully reassuring you of what you will find when you come to stay.

                              The Unique Benefits at this Apartment:
                              All of the above! We awaken to birdsong, can gaze out our windows and see the park in all seasons in all its beauty, or sit in the garden to the side of the house in total privacy and enjoy the tranquillity, and read a book... We often walk down to the Port of Leith, where there are great restaurants right on the waterfront, and grab a bite to eat. Everything we need is close-by - shops, transport links, restaurants, Edinburgh's main train station... and, there are beautiful drives to the East Lothian countryside and coastal trail, including some charming villages and historic castles - within a half-hour's drive. There are also 22 stunning golf-courses along this coastline, eg Gullane, North Berwick, Craigielaw, Muirfield - for golf fans! Another great bonus is the fact that we can offer guests free parking in a private car park directly to the rear of the property – this is incredibly rare in Edinburgh – most properties have ‘metered’ parking on a street outside their property, which never guarantees a space, and is incredibly expensive – it means you have to top up the metre every couple of hours! Philip and I often walk to the ‘Shore’ area of Leith, on the waterfront – which is Edinburgh’s port – a 5-10 minute walk from Pilrig House – it has great restaurants and bistros. You can also use your membership card to visit the Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s ‘The Vaults’ premises here – even if you don’t like whisky – a great place to have a bar lunch in the oldest building in Leith.


                              Contact us

                              • Primary: +001 131 554 4794 (United Kingdom) 9am to 10pm

                               

                              Photos

                              • A room with a view - Historical Pilrig House (1638) in its unique park setting

                                A room with a view - Historical Pilrig House (1638) in its unique park setting

                              • Summertime in the front garden... a  green and tranquil oasis

                                Summertime in the front garden... a green and tranquil oasis

                              • Pause and smell the roses - you're on holiday....

                                Pause and smell the roses - you're on holiday....

                              • Lovely hallway in the Balfour Apartment with real oak flooring

                                Lovely hallway in the Balfour Apartment with real oak flooring

                              • Spacious curved walk-in shower cabinet and full-length heated towel-rail

                                Spacious curved walk-in shower cabinet and full-length heated towel-rail

                              • Double bedroom with super-king size bed that can be separated into twins

                                Double bedroom with super-king size bed that can be separated into twins

                              • View from side of double bedroom - fully carpeted, and double mirrored wardrobes

                                View from side of double bedroom - fully carpeted, and double mirrored wardrobes

                              • Fire on, DVD started, cushions plumped - still want to go out anyone?

                                Fire on, DVD started, cushions plumped - still want to go out anyone?

                              • Dine in style and take in the tree-tops as you relax...

                                Dine in style and take in the tree-tops as you relax...

                              • Welcome Pack read, laptop connected to free Wi-Fi, write a postcard home?

                                Welcome Pack read, laptop connected to free Wi-Fi, write a postcard home?

                              • Enjoy Edinburgh's winter wonderland & luxury Christmas hamper at Pilrig House!

                                Enjoy Edinburgh's winter wonderland & luxury Christmas hamper at Pilrig House!

                              • Blue plaque on the wall of Pilrig House with RLS quote from his novel, Catriona

                                Blue plaque on the wall of Pilrig House with RLS quote from his novel, Catriona

                              • Balfour Apartment living-room windows (two) - parallel to sundial - what a view!

                                Balfour Apartment living-room windows (two) - parallel to sundial - what a view!

                              • Your very own castle - well, almost!

                                Your very own castle - well, almost!

                              • Hall table - FREE local and national telephone calls - books and DVDs aplenty

                                Hall table - FREE local and national telephone calls - books and DVDs aplenty

                              • Modern, fully-tiled bathroom with curved shower unit & heated towel-rail

                                Modern, fully-tiled bathroom with curved shower unit & heated towel-rail

                              • Sunny and immaculate kitchen supplied with everything you will need

                                Sunny and immaculate kitchen supplied with everything you will need

                              • Beautiful second double bedroom with dual windows and a sense of peacefulness

                                Beautiful second double bedroom with dual windows and a sense of peacefulness

                              • Spacious & elegant living-room - with three windows offering panoramic views

                                Spacious & elegant living-room - with three windows offering panoramic views

                              • Pass me the binoculars - the foxes are playing in the garden...

                                Pass me the binoculars - the foxes are playing in the garden...

                              • Coffee, shortbread, fruit - a good way to start your holiday

                                Coffee, shortbread, fruit - a good way to start your holiday

                              • Be captivated by the changing seasons from your window at Pilrig House...

                                Be captivated by the changing seasons from your window at Pilrig House...

                              • Winter night sky...

                                Winter night sky...

                              • Book now for the 2013 Golf Open at nearby Muirfield (£300/night for 8-night stay). Play golf in East Lothian.

                                Book now for the 2013 Golf Open at nearby Muirfield (£300/night for 8-night stay). Play golf in East Lothian.

                              Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #156123

                              There have been  visitors to this page since the counter was last reset in .
                              This listing was first published here in 2006.
                              Date last modified - Saturday, May 04, 2013

                              29

                              2 Bedroom / 1 Bathroom
                              Sleeps 4


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                              Owner

                              +001 131 554 4794 (United Kingdom)
                              9am to 10pm

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