guest house edinburgh
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guest house edinburgh, bed breakfast scotland, holiday uk accommodation, scottish georgian residence, short breaks
You may find this relevant information helpful when researching the area prior to your visit
Davids Abbey
Most of the remains that you can see today date from the 13th and 14th centuries, the only surviving part of David's original Abbey being a doorway in one corner.
Charlotte Square was part of the capital's original New Town development, and today it is still one of the city's most beautiful squares.
This elegant square, named after George III's wife Queen Charlotte, is the square that lies at the eastern end of the New Town development of Queen Street, George Street and Princes Street.
The square was originally a much sought out residential area, however it is now predominantly commercial and administrative. One of the most important buildings in the square is Bute House which is the official home of the Secretary of State for Scotland.
Also of interest is the refurbished Georgian House at number 7, which has been decked out as a typical 18th century Town House. As well as the usual collection of furniture, furnishings and crockery there is an interesting array of 18th century gizmos and gadgets.
The Georgian House is open daily between April and October, entry costs around £4.
However for tourists who have Scottish blood in them the most interesting buildings in Charlotte Square has to be the Scottish Record Office, housed in St George's Church.
Here you will find everything from church records and property records to personal wills so it is a great source if you are trying to trace your ancestors.
The Office is open from 9am to 4.30pm Mondays to Fridays. Admission is free.
The centre of Charlotte Square is laid out with well kept gardens, the focal point of which is the Albert Memorial in the middle.
An excellent example of Georgian town planning, even if you aren't visiting for a specific reason Charlotte Square is a delight to just wander around.
As the capital grew in the 18th and 19th centuries, it gradually absorbed several surrounding towns and villages into its boundaries, one such village being Stockbridge.
Stockbridge is situated to the north west of central the capital, on the banks of the Water of Leith. The name of the village comes from the bridge that once spanned the river here and over which cattle used to make their way to grazing.
Originally Stockbridge was just a small rural hamlet situated a few miles from the city centre. But the village then expanded rapidly in the 19th century as a popular residential area and so a lot of the houses date from this period - many of these are now considered to be the most attractive Georgian buildings in the capital.
Particularly famous is Ann Street, which the poet Sir John Betjeman claimed was "the most attractive street in Britain" and which is now one of the capital's most exclusive addresses.
The village is well worth a visit for it is a very picturesque retreat from the city centre, but is within walking distance of Princes Street.
It is also well know for its profusion of antique shops so you could easily spend an afternoon browsing for that treasure piece. And for walkers is also close to the Water of Leith Walkway, a pretty path along the riverbanks of the Water of Leith.