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Central Edinburgh- The Writers Pad- drawing on the towns literary heritage

Photo gallery for Central Edinburgh- The Writers Pad- drawing on the towns literary heritage

Our front door
Living area
Interior
Private kitchen
Private kitchen

Reviews

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 6688.9 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Outdoor space
  • Parking available
  • Barbecue grill
  • Fireplace

Explore the area

View in a map
Edinburgh, SCT
  • Place, St. Andrew Square
    ‪9 min walk‬
  • Place, George Street
    ‪10 min walk‬
  • Place, Princes Street
    ‪10 min walk‬
  • Airport, Edinburgh (EDI)
    ‪26 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Central Edinburgh- The Writers Pad- drawing on the towns literary heritage

The Writers Pad has been designed around Edinburgh's rich literary heritage. This New Town property has many a nod and a wink to the writers that have graced the city. This garden apartment offers a great place to stay close to the town centre and many local attractions and has undergone an extensive renovation in early 2014.
The apartment itself contains two double bedrooms, a comfortable lounge/ dining area, bathroom with shower and a well equipped kitchen. There is a comfortable double bed in one bedroom while the other contains zip and link beds which make the sleeping arrangements a bit more versatile. In addition there is a sofa bed with a pocket sprung mattress in the lounge.
The flat is a 10 minute walk from some of Edinburgh's most iconic landmarks including The Scott Monument, Edinburgh Castle and St Andrews Square. The main shopping areas of Edinburgh are all within easy walking distance.
Closer to the property there is the busy areas around Broughton Street and the top of Leith Walk with many great delicatessens and restaurants to tempt you after a day in town. The bars nearby the property offer a fantastic choice from the more traditional Edinburgh pub to some of the more modern bars.
The property offers a great place to explore the city from while at the same time provides interest and comfort. Freeview TV, Blu-Ray DVD player, DAB radio and bluetooth speakers all add to the comfort of your stay. There is a collection of books with links to Edinburgh as well as a small DVD collection.
There is parking available via pay meters on the street. These cost £2/hr between 8.30- 5.30 Mon to Fri. Parking out with these hours is free. If you're staying during the week and you plan to bring a car please let us know as there is a few suggestions we may be able to offer.

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Check out before 10:30 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is not required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Edinburgh

Located in Edinburgh, this apartment is in the city centre. Edinburgh Castle and Royal Mile are notable landmarks, and travellers looking to shop may want to visit George Street and Princes Street. Check out an event or a game at Murrayfield Stadium, and consider making time for Edinburgh Zoo, a top attraction not to be missed. Practise your golf swing on a nearby course, or enjoy other activities in the great outdoors, such as cycling in the area.
View more Apartments in EdinburghOpens in a new window
Map
Edinburgh, SCT

What's nearby

  • St. Andrew Square - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • George Street - 10 min walk - 0.9 km
  • Princes Street - 10 min walk - 0.9 km
  • Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre - 11 min walk - 0.9 km
  • Royal Mile - 15 min walk - 1.3 km

Getting around

  • St Andrew Square Tram Stop - 9 min walk
  • Edinburgh (ZXE-Edinburgh Waverly Train Station) - 14 min walk
  • Edinburgh Airport (EDI) - 35 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Starbar - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Cask & Barrel - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Barony Bar - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪Cafēn Speciality Brew Bar - ‬7 min walk
  • ‪Di Giorgio Caffe & Bar - ‬6 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Central Edinburgh- The Writers Pad- drawing on the towns literary heritage pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Central Edinburgh- The Writers Pad- drawing on the towns literary heritage?

As of 26 Mar, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Central Edinburgh- The Writers Pad- drawing on the towns literary heritage on 15 Dec, 2020 start from S$298, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at Central Edinburgh- The Writers Pad- drawing on the towns literary heritage?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Central Edinburgh- The Writers Pad- drawing on the towns literary heritage?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Central Edinburgh- The Writers Pad- drawing on the towns literary heritage?

Checkout is at 10:30 AM.

Where is Central Edinburgh- The Writers Pad- drawing on the towns literary heritage located?

Located in Edinburgh City Centre, this apartment building is within a 15-minute walk of Scottish National Portrait Gallery, George Street and Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre. Edinburgh Castle and Princes Street are also within 1 mile (2 km). St Andrew Square Tram Stop is 9 minutes by foot and Princes Street Tram Stop is 16 minutes.

Reviews

9.2

Wonderful

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 23 out of 41 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 18 out of 41 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 41 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 41 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 41 reviews

8.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.4/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Archival

8/10 Good

Karen C.

Cute apartment/Great Location

Nicely decorated. The host is very responsive. Loved the location!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 27 Mar, 2020
Thanks for this Karen- glad you had a good stay
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Raffaele D.

The house is fantastic, very spacious and modern and has everything you need in it.

We had a fantastic time in the house. We really felt at home, we couldn't have asked for a better accomodation. The area is also very nice, walking distance to all the main attractions. Russell was brilliant with us and everything went very smoothly. We wish we could have stayed longer!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2016
Response from VrboOwner on 27 Mar, 2020
Many thanks for the kind words- glad you had fun.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Chuck G.

Comfy Apartment, Centrally Located

The writer's pad in Edinburgh is comfortably equipped and located in a quiet street within walking distance of the Royal Mile. We stayed for 5 days and really enjoyed it. The beds and other furnishings were great to come home to after a long day of sight-seeing. Parking on weekdays can be a little challenging, but entirely worth it. Watching the family of foxes in the garden each morning was and added bonus.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 27 Mar, 2020
Thanks so much for the kind words. Really pleased you enjoyed your stay. There's a couple of things we can do to ease the parking so let us know next time and we can make that a bit easier.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Lesley C.

Cosy & stylish and safe

Great apartment and an ideal homey base. I booked this for my two daughters to stay as their niece was being Christened in Edinburgh and they felt extremely safe. They successfully located several of the beautiful bars and restaurants the city has to offer and were able to walk to and from with great ease. I would definately recommend this beautiful apartment and would love the chance to stay there myself at some point.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2016
Response from VrboOwner on 27 Mar, 2020
Thanks for these kind words and we'd love to have you stay with us sometime as well.
Verified

8/10 Good

Stacey U.

Quiet and comfortable apartment

We enjoyed our short stay here. It was easy to arrange pick up of the keys though I might suggest using a lock box in the future as other properties have done. The apartment was quiet and comfortable with a stocked kitchen and easy access to parking for the weekend and the sights of Edinburgh. It is about a 20 minute walk from the Royal Mile (with kids anyway) and at least 10 minutes or more from any restaurants. But it was perfect for our short weekend in the city.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 27 Mar, 2020
Thanks for this Stacey and I'm glad you liked the place. We've contemplated a lockbox before but have preferred to have people met in person- maybe we'll look at that again. I'm a little surprised re the restaurants as I'm pretty sure the places in Broughton Street or Karens Unicorn are very close but maybe we'll just check that again. Thanks again Russell
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Barbara H.

25a Scotland Street, Edinburgh - Brillaint!

This was,simply,a brilliant flat to stay in and then discover Edinburgh, just as described. Very well appointed flat with two super bedrooms. Fabulous welcome from Eddie and David. Green folder contains everything you need to know about the flat and the city. Big fridge to store wine! All-in-all, the perfect flat in the perfect location to access all you wish to view in Edinburgh. Clean and well presented.Visited National Museum rooftop fr spectacular view of the city. Ate a fabulous meal at La Petite Mort.Go for it! Barbara and Sally
Stayed 2 nights in May 2016
Response from VrboOwner on 27 Mar, 2020
Thanks so much Barbara and Sally- I'm really delighted you had a great time and we matched up to our description! Thanks again Russell
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Joanne P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice apartment close to all amenities

Nice apartment and close to all amenities in a quiet area
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Cynthia M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location

Sweet basement flat in a great location. Very charming.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

david p.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Stay in Edinburgh

Wonderful basement apartment. Spacious rooms and living area. Well situated to old town. Beautiful neighborhood. Check out the Cumberland Pub around the corner. Got eats and beer at a reasonable price. People were very friendly
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 27 Mar, 2020
Thanks David- Glad you enjoyed your stay and the Cumberland is spot on
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tom B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Short weekend stay

Great place, friendly host, clean and in a good location
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2019
Verified

8/10 Good

Ross B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Location is spectacular

The location was wonderful, just a short walk to the mile, old town, etc. Communication was a bit spotty during our stay, otherwise we really enjoyed our visit.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2019
Verified

8/10 Good

Elisabeth L.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Felt a little like a local

Loved the location (close to stuff but a little hike up the hill) of this property and the setup was perfect for our family of four which included two toddlers. It was nicely organized and charming in its decor. Making breakfast wasn’t an issue and it was nice to have a washer. The fact that the flat was below street level wasn’t an issue and there was a fair amount of bright light that lit the house. Russel and Eddie were top notch in taking care of any issues and accommodating us. Although we enjoyed our stay overall it does need a little updating or deep cleaning as some of the furniture is becoming worn, a few pots and pans need replacing, some walls need washing or touch ups. It was also fairly musty smelling but it seems that is more typical for a old building with a garden flat in the city. Not enough to cause issues but if you’re sensitive to smells should be known. Would only suggest a dehumidifier and/or incense for renters to use. It would also be nice to have an option for a light top sheet as the blankets and comforter are a little too warm/heavy sometimes. However, these few things aren’t big enough of an issue and would recommend this flat to others. If we’re ever back in the city we’ll look up Russell’s place again.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Andrew W.

Great location and a cosy flat

A cosy flat in a great location at the east-end of New Town. 10-15 minutes walk from Princes Street and all the attractions. In the other direction Stockbridge is close and great for coffee shops, etc. Car parking on a meter, but free from 5.30 pm to 8.30 pm - so it suited me for what I wanted to do. The master bedroom is light and airy and the lounge is comfortable. The kitchen and bathroom are rather small and functional, but this is absolutely not a problem, and the whole flat is clean and well-appointed. The communications were excellent and I was met at the apartment on check in.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 27 Mar, 2020
Thanks for this Andrew. Glad the stay worked well for you. Just to say we can arrange car parking if guests need it but glad it wasn't an issue in your case.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Hannah McKerchar

Lovely property in a great location!

Comfortable flat, helpful concierge service, great local The Magnum just up the road. A lovely place to stay and a great base to explore Edinburgh.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 27 Mar, 2020
Thank you so much for the kind words- really pleased things worked for you and you enjoyed the stay. I'll have to check out the magnum myself.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Aoife C.

Wonderful Hosts

Very lovely accommodation with all necessities. The hosts are very welcoming and friendly - happy to help with whatever the situation. Looking forward to a return visit!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 27 Mar, 2020
Thanks for these kind words and hopefully be able to welcome you back very soon.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Andrew J.

Great break in a beautiful city.

Plenty of space in the apartment and it was nice and warm despite the cold weather outside. The kitchen was well appointed. Location wise plenty of eating places and good pubs close by and access to the city was straight up the hill. Highly recommended and hope to return next year.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 27 Mar, 2020
Really pleased you liked it Andrew-
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Margaret F.

Spacious, well equipped apartment in quiet location.

Great apartment within walking distance of great restaurants and bars. The bedrooms are a great size one bedroom at the front of the property and the other at the rear which looks on to a nice garden. We visited Edinburgh in November and it was really cold outside but inside it was lovely and warm with the central heating on. Well equipped kitchen, everything you need is there. The beds were really comfortable and cosy. The bathroom looked newly fitted and has a bath with a shower. The apartment was nice to come back to and relax in after a day out. Very clean and tidy. I would definitely return to this apartment.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 27 Mar, 2020
Thank you so much for this kind review. Really pleased you enjoyed the place and had a good stay.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Liz A.

Lovely apartment, enjoyed fab w/e

Very comfortable, in a fabulous location
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2017
Archival

8/10 Good

Jennifer H.

Spacious, light,comfortable

We loved the property ! It was spacious and comfortable and perfect situation for our weekend in Edinburgh. Nice and warm , comfy beds ! Thank you !
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2017
Archival

8/10 Good

Andre Sebastien P.

Plaisant appartement dans la ville nouvelle d'Edinburgh

Tres bien situé, le 25A Scotland street, une rue agréable de la ville géorgienne d'Edimbourg, offre tout le confort souhaitable dans un cadre élégant. Accès à un jardin où on a pu apercevoir un joli chat et ... un renard magnifique ! À recommender. Attention toutefois au zèle inégalable des agents de stationnement si vous êtes motorisés. 5 minutes de dépassement et c'est 60£ d'amende qui viendront s'ajouter aux x fois 2£50 payés par heure.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 27 Mar, 2020
Thank you for the comments on the apartment. They are very kind and I'm pleased you had a good stay. As the flat is very central and we do see a number of parking attendants and they do have a bit of a reputation in Edinburgh for issuing tickets during weekdays. (parking is free weekends and evenings). As you know we are happy to help with parking arrangements to keep on the right side of the parking guys.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Kathy W.

Home away from home...

We loved staying at this lovely little flat in Edinburgh that was close to transportation and city activities but outside that hustle and bustle. We enjoyed the park with children's play areas just a block away. It was clean and well stocked. We look forward a future trip and another opportunity to stay here again.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 27 Mar, 2020
Great having you guys too. Thanks so much for the kind words and the fabulous feedback.
Archival

8/10 Good

Normand L.

Nice appartment with good location

We enjoy our stay in this nice and spacious appartment. Don't hesitate to go there.
Response from VrboOwner on 27 Mar, 2020
Thanks you for your kind review. I'm glad you enjoyed your stay
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Claudie L.

appart très bien situé et proprio très sympa

L'appartement est idéalement situé pour visiter Edimbourg. Russel est charmant : il nous a trouvé un parking pas cher à 2 pas et a été de bons conseils pour les pubs. Idéal pour une famille de 4.
Response from VrboOwner on 27 Mar, 2020
Thanks you for these very kind words. I'm really pleased you had a great time
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Matthew L.

The Heart of New Town

Our family thoroughly enjoyed our three-night stay in the Writer's Pad. The apartment is clean, elegant, and within easy walks of everything. We would happily return for a longer stay. The kitchen is well stocked with spices, and the apartment is close to a grocery store and park. We felt like locals!
Response from VrboOwner on 27 Mar, 2020
Thanks you so much for this kind review. Delighted you enjoyed our apartment and that you had a fantastic stay.
Archival

8/10 Good

Barbara K.

5 day stay in Edinburgh

We found the flat very nice for the 3 of us. The beds were comfortable. It is a garden apartment , but it was filled with light. There was plenty of closet and drawer space. There is no tumble dryer in the flat as stated in the overview. Also, the first half of the walk from New Town to Old Town is uphill, so our walks took much longer than we thought it would.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 27 Mar, 2020
Thanks for the review. I hadn't noticed the tumble dryer in our overview and so have amended that now- thanks for pointing this out. We do have plenty drying space for clothes.

About the host

Hosted by Russell Ogg

Host profile image
Born and raised in Edinburgh I live within walking distance of the property listed here. I have a few business interests but undoubtedly the one that is most fun is the holiday lettings we offer. This is our second flat and having learnt a few lessons on the way I hope we can offer our guests an excellent experience in the time they spend in Edinburgh.

Why they chose this property

Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland, provides a wonderful and interesting place to stay and explore. The property here provides an ideal base to do this from- 10 minutes to the Old Town, Stockbridge, Leith and set in the New Town- it provides an excellent place to find experience the city.

It is a town of contrasts, maybe best illustrated by the slightly chaotic nature of the Old Town, around the castle and High Street versus the comparative order of the New Town with it's Georgian architecture and grid like street layout.

Edinburgh is world renowned for it's Festival and Fringe - making the month of August colourful and vibrant. It is also the first city to be a UNESCO city of Literature - and this is what the property here draws on. The property is based in a street that was used as the basis for the novels by Alexander McCall Smith. There are several nods to Edinburgh writers of the past and a small collection of Edinburgh novels available to acquaint, or reacquaint, yourself with.

Edinburgh is well served by transport links but is also a City that is easy to walk around in. It provides a safe environment and while by no means flat it is well served with coffee houses, deli's, restaurants and bars if you need a break in proceedings. Again the flat here provides a good range of amenities close on hand.

The areas close by such as East Lothain and Fife are very attractive parts of the Scotland and both of these are a golfers paradise while at the same time providing stunning countryside and picturesque coastal areas. Both are accessible by car or train and with a station only 1km or so away this makes this quite straightforward.

The property is one we take a deal of pride in and we hope this shows in the standard of decor and accommodation we can provide.

What makes this property unique

The property is situated in a wonderfully quiet area of the central part of Edinburgh. This makes it ideal for those that want access to the town yet may be a lighter sleeper. The back bedroom indeed backs on to a garden with no traffic on it at all- not necessarily the norm in central Edinburgh.

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