Marchmont: local amenities, venues and sights
near Roseneath & Gladstone Apartments,
your home-from-home in central Edinburgh.

These spacious family-friendly traditional Edinburgh flats are perfectly situated for any visit to Edinburgh, whether you are visiting on holiday or business, by yourself or with your family or friends.

Marchmont is a popular area to be based in Edinburgh, due to its close proximity to the city centre, frequent bus service and many amenities combined with the open spaces of Bruntsfield Links and the Meadows. Recently, more cafes with pavement tables have opened, giving the community a somewhat continental feel (there are about 8-10 cafes within five to ten minutes walk from either Apartment!).

Within a block or two from Roseneath or Gladstone Apartments, you will find all you need (and more) for self catering during your visit, including a Co-op, off-licence, Eddies Fish Shop (famously the best fish shop in Edinburgh), Sweet Melinda's restaurant, delicatessens, newsagents, fresh fruit & veg shops, pubs, a Thai restaurant, takeaways for chinese, italian, kebabs; and a pharmacy. There is also a post office, bank, and hairdressers as well as numerous local shops and boutiques to explore. Peter Green's Wine Merchants hold wine-tasting on Friday evenings, offering a good start to the weekend and also a chance to meet some of the local residents.

Warrender Park Baths, first opened in 1887, offer a pleasant environment for a swim.

Edinburgh's Old Town is only a mile to the north of Roseneath Apartment. Walking across Middle Meadow Walk you will reach Greyfriar's Church in about 10 -15 minutes; The Museum of Scotland, Royal Museum and University of Edinburgh Old College in Chambers Street; then the National Library of Scotland on George IV Bridges. About a 20-30 minutes walk will bring you to the Royal Mile (and the Castle), the Cowgate and Grassmarket, or Waverley Train Station and Princes Street. Alternatively, Bus 41 will take you to George IV Bridges (where you can get off for the Royal Mile) and via the Mound to Princes Street and continues as far as Crammond on the Forth (which is also worth visiting!). Taxis can be booked by phone or often hailed either as they pass through the Meadows or at the rank near Marchmont Road. Don't forget to check out Visit Scotland's visitor attractions and there is also a folder in each flat with lots of information on what to do and where to go during your visit to Edinburgh.

Many Festival Venues are close to Marchmont, including large venues put up on the Meadows, various venues at Edinburgh University and Bristo Square (Gilded Balloon Teviot, Underbelly, Spiegeltent) and numerous others. The Hub (Festival Ticket Office) is on the Royal Mile and about 20-30 minute's walk. Of Edinburgh's theatres, Kings Theatre, Usher Hall, Traverse Theatre, Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Queens Hall are all within about 20-30 minutes walk. Cinemas close to Marchmont include three on Lothian Road (The Cameo, Odeon and The Filmhouse), about 20 minutes walk, and also the lovely Dominion Theatre in Morningside.

When you are tired of visiting the many interesting sites in Edinburgh, the Meadows and Bruntsfield Links offer plenty of opportunity to relax outside with a book, picnic or glass of wine. Its also the perfect place to play with friends and the family - from frisbee to football, tennis at the Edinburgh Leisure courts where you can hire everything you need, children's swings and multi-activity compounds, or golf on the short 36 hole links, where you can play for free and you need to bring your own clubs. Alternatively, walk about 20-30 minutes south, to Blackford Hill, where you can feed the ducks at Blackford Pond, walk up the hill (or drive to the car park at the top!), visit the observatory or explore the nature trails at the Hermitage of Braid.

Further afield, Roseneath Apartment is a perfect base to explore the surrounding countryside, as it is so easy to access the city bypass. Between half to three quarters of an hour's drive brings you to fabulous beaches along the east coast, where you could walk all the way from Aberlady via Gullane to North Berwick, or discover hidden beaches near Tantallon Castle, or learn to surf at the glorious sandy expanses of Belhaven Bay. To contrast, explore the local Pentland Hills, less than half an hour's drive to find varied walks - whether by a reservoir, up steep hills with panoramic views or in the valleys, or learn to ski or snow board at Hillend Dry Ski Centre. Cultural visits that are also a short drive include Rosslyn Chapel, Crighton House, Borthwick Castle, Dalmeny House, and Hopetoun House.

No visit to Scotland is complete without seeing castles - and many are easily accessible from Edinburgh. In addition to Edinburgh Castle, why not also visit Blackness, Craigmillar or Lauriston Castles, or check out the many on offer at Historic Scotland.

If you are tired of all the activity, why not visit the splendid MacDonald Marine Hotel & Spa in North Berwick where you can admire the fabulous views over the golf links, beach and islands, including Bass Rock, and treat yourself to a Spa Day. Also check out their special offers.

For something totally different and special, try a hot air balloon flight with Alba Ballooning across the spectacular Midlothian countryside!