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

• 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.