Yana's friend Alex contacted us to agree a time and was punctual. The entrance and communal areas are perhaps typical of a tenement and were not welcoming. The flat itself, while on the bare side, was spotless and a great place to stay. It was on the top floor, with no lift, so unsuitable for those with young children or limited mobility. For the rest it means you get a great view - all the way to Arthur's Seat. Its also quieter yet you still see a busy street, more pedestrians than cars.
About 20 minutes walk to the city centre but you can follow the canal for part of this. The surrounding area holds a lot of professional and upmarket housing with amenities to match, great restaurants and bars, aimed at that clientele rather than tourists.