Edinburgh Estate Agents
76 George Street
Edinburgh
EH2 3BU
Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, is renowned for being one of the most stunning cities in the world, with the beautiful Edinburgh Castle sitting on volcanic rock in the centre, visible from all around.
Also blessed with the majestic architecture of the New Town and the historical streets and towering tenements of the Old Town, it’s no wonder that it is such a magnet for tourists and frequently polls as one of the best places to live in Europe.
This city, with a population of around half a million, punches above its weight in so many ways. It is the UK’s second major financial centre after London, it plays host to the world’s largest arts festival – the Edinburgh Fringe – and, needless to say, the Edinburgh Book Festival is unrivalled around the globe. And when it comes to celebrating New Year, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is the party to attend.
Surprisingly compact, the centre of Edinburgh is cosmopolitan yet, within 20 minutes, one could be on a beach or walking up the Pentland Hills. On top of this, it is renowned for its excellent schools and the plethora of parks and green spaces, making it an ideal place for family life.
The Strutt & Parker Edinburgh office has a dedicated city team, which specialises in townhouses and flats in the city centre, as well as detached and semi-detached period houses in the ever desirable suburbs many with generous gardens. Also based in the office are two teams who specialise in the sale of Farms & Estates and Country Houses. They cover areas such as the Lothians, Perthshire, Fife, Stirlingshire, Scottish Borders and Dumfries & Galloway.
Things to do in Edinburgh
Top of the list is Edinburgh Castle and, a mile down the cobbled High Street, Holyrood Palace. On the way between, there are many places to visit such as Mary King’s Close and the Museum of Childhood.
City Life
And, of course, for some, nothing beats a day wandering the cobbled streets, soaking up the atmosphere and exploring the interesting boutiques and larger shops such as Harvey Nichols. Even the most hardy shoppers will need to take a break and enjoy one of the many independent cafés – where J K Rowling famously penned the Harry Potter books – or one of Edinburgh’s fantastic eateries, including 6 Michelin starred restaurants (more than any other UK city outside London). There are also four theatres in the city centre as well as multiplex cinemas, various music venues and a couple of year round comedy clubs.
Exploration and sports
When you feel like seeking out a peaceful spot, why not pay a visit to the Royal Botanic Gardens or Edinburgh Zoo – home to the only pandas and koalas in Britain – or climb up to Arthur’s Seat, an extinct volcano with breath-taking views of the city. In addition, the Water of Leith walkway winds through the heart of the city and provides a delightful setting for a gentle stroll.
Edinburgh is also a great sporting city, with two professional football clubs; the Edinburgh derby is one of the oldest in the world. Murrayfield Stadium is the home of Scottish Rugby and is also the venue for some great music concerts.
Why we love Edinburgh
Among a huge choice of great restaurants, bars and cafes, the S&P Edinburgh teams’ favourites are Kyloe gourmet steak restaurant and grill, Ondine seafood and shellfish restaurant, Indigo Yard restaurant and bar, The Melville Bar, Whighams Wine Cellars, The Wally Dug pub, The Southern Cross Café and Nikki’s Sandwich Bar.
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Key villages & towns in Edinburgh City
New Town
centre, the New Town forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with striking neo-classical and Georgian architecture arranged mainly in a grid design, based north of Princes Street. It has remained virtually unchanged in almost 200 years with its sweeping terraces of sandstone houses – some of the most desirable properties in Edinburgh. The New Town is also the centre of much of Edinburgh’s cultural and social life and it is where one will find the National Gallery of Scotland, the Scottish National Portrait Gallery and the Royal Scottish Academy. On George Street, there is a fantastic choice of great bars and restaurants sitting alongside many quality high street stores such as Anthropologie, Whistles, Hackett, Hollister and Jo Malone.
Stockbridge
To the north of the city centre sits Stockbridge, which has a village-like feel. It is vibrant and buzzy, populated with lots of 20- and 30-somethings. There are many independent artisan shops and a Sunday market with friendly vendors selling quality foodstuffs, crafts and more. For those seeking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, Stockbridge is ideal; Inverleith Park and the Royal Botanic Gardens sit immediately to the north and the area also benefits from direct access to the Water of Leith, which cuts through Edinburgh from west to east into the Firth of Forth.
The Grange
The Grange is a suburb to the south of Edinburgh, benefiting from more space and a leafier setting. Some of the largest and most desirable properties in Edinburgh can be found in this conservation area, where the wide streets are lined with beautiful detached and terraced Victorian houses, most of which have large gardens. It is not hard to see why so many families choose to live in this area, which sits beside Blackford Hill and is very close to three golf courses.
Morningside
Home to Miss Jean Brodie, Morningside is located in the south west of Edinburgh. It has its own high street with independent shops, a Waitrose and some of the best known pubs, cafes and restaurants in Edinburgh. There is also an independent family-run cinema, The Dominion, and the Church Hill Theatre.
Barnton and Cramond
Ideally located, not far from the city, but with more open space and only a stone’s throw from the coast, are the highly desirable suburbs of Barnton and Cramond. With easy access to the airport and Forth Road Bridge and close to two of the best known golf courses in the city, these areas appeal to both families and downsizers, with new developments specifically designed for the latter.
Schools in the area
Edinburgh Schools are among some of the best in the country and are located throughout the entire city, consisting of both private and state institutions.
Edinburgh is well known for its schools, both state and private, and these are not limited to the leafy suburbs.
To the north of the city centre, popular private schools such as Mary Erksine’s and Stewarts Melville, together with St. George’s School for Girls, can be found in Ravelston. Close by are The Edinburgh Academy and Fettes College located in and around Stockbridge. Blackhall Primary, Wardie Primary and Cramond Primary are all highly sought-after state schools.
On the south side of the city, private schools such as George Heriot’s, George Watson’s and Merchiston Castle School get good results. In the state sector, Sciennes Primary, Bruntsfield Primary, South Morningside Primary, Boroughmuir High and James Gillespie’s High Schools all have good reputations.
For a more comprehensive list of schools in Edinburgh we recommend the Good Schools Guide.
Transport links
By train
The main train station is Waverley from where trains leave for Glasgow Queen Street every 15 minutes and direct trains to London run at least every hour.
By train
There is also a regular bus service from the airport to Waverley station.
Parking, like most cities these days, is neither easy nor cheap.
Everything is on the doorstep. Shops, bars, restaurants, art galleries, theatres, parks, hills for walking – you name it, Edinburgh has everything you would expect from a capital city.