Edinburgh Accommodation

Award-Winning Apartment in Historic Townhouse (Free Parking) Edinburgh Vacation Rental by Owner Listing 79936

Edinburgh, 2 bedrooms, VRBO, FRBO, VHBO, VBO, Apartment rental by owner, Edinburgh rental Apartment, guestbook, Edinburgh Edinburgh, 2 bedrooms, VRBO, FRBO, VHBO, VBO, Apartment rental by owner, Edinburgh rental Apartment, guestbook, Edinburgh Edinburgh, 2 bedrooms, VRBO, FRBO, VHBO, VBO, Apartment rental by owner, Edinburgh rental Apartment, guestbook, Edinburgh

Location: Edinburgh, Edinburgh Area, Scotland, United Kingdom, Europe (Pilrig House is under a mile from the city centre and Leith.) View Map

Accommodations:  Apartment, 2 Bedrooms + Convertible bed(s), 1 Bath (Sleeps 3-4)

Accolades/Awards

2009: Scottish Thistle Award Winner - for 'The Extra Mile'
2008: Scottish Thistle Award Finalist - for 'Accommodation - Customer Care'
2007: Visit Scotland: 'TOP 1O' status - 'Places To Stay' category. Scotsman newspaper: 'Best
Place to Stay/Self-Catering'. Listed in Frommers Guide and Alistair Sawday's Guides...

Pilrig House - The Park Apartment (Sleeps 3-4 max.)

Our exceptional 4-star graded, 2-bedroomed Park 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 - it was the home of Robert Louis Stevenson's mother's family - as a child, RLS often visited and played in the gardens here as a child - he mentions Pilrig House in his novels: Kidnapped and Catriona.

Unique Location
The apartment is sited in a tranquil park, yet, incredibly, it is only a 15-minute stroll (under a mile), or 5 minutes by bus (bus stop is only minutes away from the apartment) to Edinburgh's city centre and all the main attractions. Enjoy the private garden, which offers secluded seating areas and is teeming with wildlife.

A Gem of an Apartment
Guests have exclusive use of the house’s sweeping Palladian staircase entrance, at the top of which are double oak doors and a small seating area, a south-facing suntrap overlooking the park - wonderful for sipping a glass of wine and watching the world drift by at the end of busy days' sightseeing!

The Accommodation
The interior is extremely comfortable and has a beautiful mix of antique and modern furnishings, comprising: living-room with double pull-out sofa-bed, oak flooring, real-flame effect fire, designated dining area and recessed window seat with delightful views of the park; 2 bedrooms - 1 single, 1 double (fully carpeted and equipped with hairdryers, alarm clock, adjustable heaters, US adapter plug) -both with park views; a fully-equipped kitchen; and, a luxurious, fully-tiled bathroom with shower screen/shower over the bath, heated towel rail and shaver point.

Free Parking
Rare for city center rentals, Pilrig House offers the bonus of a (free) allocated parking space in a private car park.

Included in the Price
Fine bedlinen, Egyptian cotton towels, all utilities (no added costs!), and, on arrival: refreshment tray, fresh flowers, chocolates, fruit bowl & crystal decanter of whisky; 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 & call minda answer service), Pilrig House postcards, bookmarks & stationery; a selection of books/Edinburgh guidebooks, maps & DVDs, binoculars, children's books, games, CDs/DVDs/Videos, and many other thoughtful extras.

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

Booking Conditions
Children over age 7 welcome. Open all year. The apartment is strictly non-smoking, and, sorry, no pets. We have a 3-night minimum stay policy, except in August (Edinburgh Festival)- 7 nights; July & Christmas/New Year - 4 nights.

The Owners
Debbie and Philip personally warmly welcome all our guests, and are on-hand throughout your stay.

Rates
Please view our highly competitive nightly & reduced weekly rates.
Discounts (on nightly rates) for longer stays:

2 weeks - 15%
3 weeks - 20%
4 weeks or more - 25%


We also offer all solo travellers a 10% discount on our nightly rates!

Vacation Rental Features

  • Amenities
    • Washer
    • Dryer
    • Linens Provided
    • Off Street Parking: Private allocated car parking space in secure car park to the rear of property.
    • Wood Fireplace: with gas log-effect fire.
  • Beds
    • Double Bed
    • Twin/Single Bed
    • Convertible Bed
  • Entertainment
    • Cable/Satellite TV: Digital TV.
    • TV (No Cable/Satellite): Flat-screen TV.
    • DVD
    • VCR
    • Video Library: Wide range of Videos/DVDs provided, including Edinburgh and Scotland DVDs.
    • CD Player
    • Music Library: A variety of CDs are provided.
  • Kitchen
    • Full Kitchen: Microwave, Oven, Hob, Dishwasher, Coffee-Maker, Clothes Washer/Dryer, Fridge, Freezer
    • Cooking Utensils Provided: All the pots, pans, cutlery, glasses, crockery you will require!
    • Refrigerator
    • Dishwasher
    • Microwave
  • Outdoor Features
    • Deck/Patio: Small, sunny seating area to top of the lovely Palladian staircase entrance, overlooking the park. Even on rainy days, guests can dine inside with the double oak doors flung open and watch the changing weather unfold.
  • View/Location
    • Monument View: Views of Holyrood Park and Calton Hill...
  • Communications
    • Telephone: Free local calls and receives incoming calls. 'CallMinda' Ansa service on phone to record messages.
    • Broadband Internet
    • WiFi (Wireless Internet)
  • Other Amenities
    • Adjustable Wall-Mounted Heaters, Dimmer Lighting in Main Living-Room and Bedrooms, Touch-Activated Bedside Lamps, Ironing Facilities, Full Range of Edinburgh Guidebooks and Street Maps, Magazines, Bookcase with Selection of Games, Children's and Adult's Books, Full Welcome Pack, Places to Visit Near Edinburgh & Tourist Information Files, Restaurant Recommendations/Sample Menu File Box, A Touring Company File with both local and Scottish Tours included, Binoculars, Umbrellas, Hairdryers, Postcards of Pilrig House, Letter-Headed Notepaper/Envelopes, Bookmarks, Leaflets. Welcome Tray, Fresh Flowers, Chocolates, Scottish Toiletries, Recessed Window-Seat Overlooking Park, Park Views in Both Bedrooms. We also have Digital TV.
  • Suitability
    • No Pets Allowed
    • Minimum Age Limit for Renters: Age 7 upwards welcome.
    • Smoking Not Allowed: However, you are welcome to smoke outside the property!
  • Activities (on site and nearby)
    • Golf
    • Tennis
    • Shopping
    • Sightseeing
    • Restaurants
    • Swimming
    • Biking
    • Hiking
    • Rock Climbing
    • Fitness Center/Gym
    • Health/Beauty Spa
    • Antiquing
    • Cinemas/Movie Theaters
    • Live Theatre
    • Museums
  • Other Activities
    • International Festival, Military Tattoo, New Year 'Hogmanay' Fireworks Celebrations, Nightlife, Art Galleries, Botanical Gardens, Visitor Attractions, City Bus Tours and Guided Tours and Walks, Indoor Rock-Climbing Centres, Walking, Fitness Centers, East Lothian beaches, Historic Castles and Churches, and very close to the Water of Leith Walkways - walks/cycle-paths around Edinburgh that follow the course of the river.

 

Rate Details (In Pounds Sterling)

Personal Currency Assistant

November to January......... £100/night... £630/week (whole apartment price)
February to March........... £110/night... £690/week
April to May................ £130/night... £820/week
June to July................ £150/night... £950/week (4-night min. stays)
August...................... £200/night... NO DISCOUNTS (7-night min stay)
September to October........ £130/night... £820/week
Christmas/New Year: 23 Dec - 2 Jan: 4-night min. stays: £600 Week-long stay: £800.
Rates are based on 2 people staying/£15 supplement per person per night.

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

Dates available: Year Round.
Before contacting us, please check our calendar for your desired dates.

Links to more information:

Note: Each property is individually owned or managed.

Map & Owner's Profile

 
 

Award-Winning Apartment in Historic Townhouse (Free Parking)

Year Purchased: 2004

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.

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 - within a half-hour's drive.

A
Pilrig Park

A small oasis in the city frequented, in the main, by dog-walkers and joggers... or people just lazing around during the summer months.

B
Water of Leith

The Water of Leith walkways and cyclepaths are just 5 mins from Pilrig House. Via these walkways, you can follow the river's path, either on foot or by bike, to many areas of Edinburgh, eg to Stockbr

C
Royal Yacht Britannia

The Royal Yacht is berthed in Leith - you can walk here from Pilrig House in around 15-20 mins.

D
The Shore area of Leith

Sit by the waterside in one of the great wine bars or eateries that have made the Shore area a fashionable dining hotspot! It boasts 2 Michelin-star restaurants... and 'Plumed Horse' - recently voted

F
Tesco Express Food Store

A 5-minute walk from Pilrig House, where you can stock up on provisions.

H
Guilty Lily Bistro/Wine Bar

A great eatery and bar literally a few mins' walk from the entrance to Pilrig House Close. It serves fresh food daily, at very reasonable prices, from 12pm

I
Ramsay Corniche Auction House

Every Saturday & Thursday there is a local antique action, with viewings taking place over the preceding days and from 10am on the Saturday.

L
Victoria Baths/Leisure Centre

A 5-minute walk from Pilrig House, should you wish to pay a visit to the gym, take an exercise class or go for a swim.

M
South Leith Parish Church

One of the oldest graveyards in Edinburgh, where members of the Balfour family are buried.

N
Martin Wishart's Cookery School

Michelin-star restauranteur's cookery school - see the link on our website, should you be interested in attending a course here!

O
Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre

A large, shopping centre overlooking the sea - lovely place to shop, have a coffee/meal, go to the cinema, or board the Royal Yacht Britannia.

P
Road leading to centre of Edinburgh

Leith Walk leads directly to Edinburgh's Princes St - overlooked by the Castle, and you can walk there in around 15 mins.

Q
Local Shop

Across the road from Pilrig House Close - selling newspapers, magazines, milk, drinks and all the basi essentials.

R
Bus Stop

Nearest bus-stop - takes you into centre of Edinburgh in around 8 mins - and, only a few mins' walk through the park.

S
Bus-Stop

A huge number of buses travel up and down Leith Walk daily, and every few minutes, taking you to the centre of Edinburgh. A 5-min walk from Pilrig House.

T
Leith Mills and Clan Tartan Centre

Edinburgh Woollen Mill's discount store - selling Scottish gifts, cashmere, kilts, etc.

U
Road leading to East Lothian

This road leads out of Edinburgh to East Lothian's lovely coastal trail...

W
Road leading to Edinburgh Airport

This route is the most direct one to take when driving to Edinburgh Airport - c. 12 miles away.

Y
The Yard

Restaurant right across the road from the entrance to Pilrig House Close - open 7 days a week, serving lunches and evening meals.

 

Owner's Map of Edinburgh

Philip and I got married two years ago - here we are on the steps of Pilrig House after the wedding...on the steps to the Park Apartment. Golden oldies...

Philip is a retired mechanical engineer, who travelled the world as a naval engineer for many years - living in Mexico and Belize for periods of time. He is an amateur historian, and has amazing local and 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, and then on a freelance basis as an editor/proofreader. We both enjoy travel, books, films and, 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, and 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 4 years since we started up.

We have made many great friends during the last 4 years, and still gain enormous joy and satisfaction in welcoming people here from around the world...It is also lovely that so many people come back time and time again.

 

Property Photos

Guest Comments (17)

  • 04/07/09
    Positive Rating
    • I have never been more pleased with a lodging rental than my four nights at Pilrig House Apartments in Edinburgh. We rented the Balfour Apartment in this historic House, located off Bonnington Road just off the corner of Pilrig and Bonnington in Pilrig House Close. Buses 11 and 36 have stops on Pilrig and Bonnington nearby and cab fare is about 7-9 dollars from Waverly Station. Deborah and Phillip met us at the House and provided fresh fruit, Scottish whisky, milk and bottled water along with bath robes, numerous toiletries, large and numerous towels and personalized, detailed info relating to restaurants, shopping, sites, etc the likes I have never seen in a lodging. Freshly cut flowers on the dining table, numerous magazines, maps and suggested phone numbers complimented the offerings. Deborah called one evening just to make sure everything was okay and provided more info relating to our trip to Rosilin the next day. Pilrig House is a historic 17th century house facing a park where we enjoyed walking and people/dog walking. It is also a short cut to Leith Walk. We met a number of very friendly, helpful people in the neighborhood and got in the way of soccer players in the park as we watched our step around the wonderful dog walkers! All we had to do was unfold a map and someone was stop and ask if we needed directions. The restaurant at the corner of Pilrig and Bonnington (Guilty Lily?) provided a good devning meal and a small grocery store a door or two down from the restaurant provided us with our staples for the kitchen. Pilrig House is about a 15-20 minute walk down Pilrig Street to Leith Walk to Princes Street to the Royal Mile. Since it seemed to be true that you can experience all four seasons in a morning in Edinburgh, we did this walk only once! This spacious, two bedroom apartment exceeded our needs and expectations. We obviously did our homework before arriving but always take "with a grain of salt" pictures and postings from a lodging's web site. Go to Pilrig House's web site, look and read. What you see and what you read is, if anything, understated.
  • 01/24/09
    Positive Rating
    Barbara & Keith Cameron , New Zealand
    • Outstanding accommodation. Lovely rooms and furnishings. Quiet and peaceful (with car parking!). Wonderful extra touches. Warm, cosy rooms and very friendly helpful owners. We highly recommend this wonderful accommodation.
  • 09/03/08
    Positive Rating
    Marguerite Smith , Hartselle, AL
    • When we arrived at our apartment and opened the door - we were simply awed! A 5 Star rating should be given here, not only for the best amenities in the Country but the most friendly, helpful "give the shirt off their back for you" proprietors. I have stayed in many a hotel and B & B, including the Bahamas ATLANTIS HOTEL. THERE ISN'T EVEN ONE 5 STAR HOTEL WHO CAN BEAT PILRIG HOUSE. I also want to say that we met not only our "landlords" for the week, but wonderful caring "friends: forever. And if God permits, we will return as soon as we are able. Love to you Phillip and Debbie All our best - Micki and Marion Aug 2 thru Aug 8
  • 07/29/08
    Positive Rating
    John & Colleen Beak , Cape Town, South Africa
    • The apartments are wonderfully comfortable, exquisitely furnished and an absolute delight after a hard day's sightseeing. They are right in beautiful Pilrig Park and are very quiet, but the city centre is only minutes away. But better even than the apartments are your hosts Debbie and Philip- warm, kind, amusing, helpful and a fund of knowledge about what to see and do. Highly, highly recommended.
  • 05/29/08
    Positive Rating
    John and Anais Glock , Austin, Texas USA
    • Our ten-day stay in the Park Apartment at Pilrig House was delightful, made so by the warm hospitality of Philip and Debbie and the charm of the historic house. The attention to detail made the apartment a home from home for us. We will be return visitors!
  • 05/08/08
    Positive Rating
    Josh & Niki , Minneapolis MN
    • Staying here was absolutely grand. The Pilrig House offers the best of modern conveniences but maintains it's old world charm. The best part about staying here is the hospitality. Debbie And Phillip are outgoing, friendly and extraordinarily catering to whatever comes up. We couldn't recommend a better place to spend your vacation in an amazing city.
  • 11/28/07
    Positive Rating
    Kevin & Amy Elliot , Columbus, OH
    • We highly recommend Pilrig House. As first time visitors to Edinburgh in October of 2007, it was lovely to experience the city in such a warm and comfortable environment. The Garden Apartment exceeded every expectation, and Debbie and Philip are wonderful hosts! We felt right at home!
  • 10/23/07
    Positive Rating
    Adam + Jude , North Carolina, USA
    • Our stay at the Pilrig house in September 2007 was a delight beyond our expectations. We can't wait to go back! We've stayed in many inns, and B&Bs around the world, and the Pilrig House is far and away the best we've known. Everything you want in a nice home away from home is here, and a bunch of things you wouldn't expect - most notably, the incredible, kind, generous hosts. We enthusiastically recommend the Pilrig House!
  • 03/01/07
    Positive Rating
    Robert and Lucia Stephenson , Toronto, Canada
    • In February 2007, we had the unique pleasure of enjoying the extraordinary hospitality of Pilrig House's Debbie and Philip Martin. We are already looking forward to our next visit and will definitely be back at Pilrig House. Being able to enjoy such superlative accommodation in such a splendid city made our first vist to Edinburgh a truly memorable one. The apartment was immaculate and fully equiped --everything and more was at our fingertips and the beautiful city of Edinburgh was just outside our front door. Pilrig's central, albeit quiet location, in a park setting --made for quick and easy access to the surrounding city. We would urge all those looking for accommodation in Edinburgh to contact Pilrig House first--it is a cherished treasure in a remarkable city. Robert and Lucia Stephenson
  • 09/30/06
    Positive Rating
    The Allport Family , Santa Monica, CA
    • Pilrig House was our home for five weeks this past summer, and, indeed, it truly was our home: the park, the waters of Leith, the Whiskey Society, golf on the green, the gardens, gourmet supplies from Valvona and Crolla, and especially our hosts, Debbie and Philip. The flat came equipped with brilliant books to read, films to watch, compact discs to play while sipping tea and eating scones with triple cream. Debbie and Philip became our friends for life and made our stay memorable in so many thoughtful ways. Our nine year old son, Mason, didn't want to leave and still talks about his experience at Pilrig House every day. We are looking forward to returning as soon as we possibly can. Susan Hayden Allport and Chris Allport

First (10) of (17). View all comments

Dates available: Year Round.
Before contacting us, please check our calendar for your desired dates.

Note: Each property is individually owned or managed.

Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #79936

There have been 29079 visitors to this page since the counter was last reset in 2006.
This listing was first published here in 2006.

Date last modified - November 06, 2009