Great location: a 10-minute walk from the airport tram, up five steps to be greeted by our nice host, a further twenty-five steps up to the flat (no lift). The village of Stockbridge is around the corner with every imaginable shop and eatery. The Water of Leith Walkway nearby is a beautiful stretch of rural Scotland in the heart of Edinburgh. One way leads to the Gallery of Modern Art and beyond, the other to the Royal Botanic Gardens and, at the end, the eternally-moored Royal Yacht Britannia.
Great outlook: the flat is in an elegant terrace built in the early 19th century and designed by the architect of the National Gallery of Scotland. It has wonderful high south-facing windows through which the autumn sun streams. They look out over trees in a private garden. It gives a good idea of how a 19th century gentleman lived. Very quiet at night, fresh air, bird song at dawn, little traffic on the cobblestone street during the day. Comfortable bed, soft clean linen and towels. An historic, decorative fireplace, defunct; now electric heaters, and large rooms to heat.
A work in progress: the flat has been only partly modernised. There are vestiges of the 19th century in the wiring and plumbing: the light for the bathroom is at a plug at floor level. There is no hot water to the basin (but available by jug from the bath). A gentleman must hold the lavatory seat up all the while he is doing his business. The cistern takes five minutes to re-fill. However, everything was clean and odourless, and there was plenty of hot water for showers for two. There is a wind-up 78 rpm gramophone, an LP record-player with an erratic arm, but no CD player, and no TV. There is a washing machine and clothes horse, but no drier; an iron and ironing blanket, but no ironing board. There were basic provisions in the kitchen, but no freshly made bread as promised in the property description. Good artisanal bread is to be had around the corner, however.
Overall: we spent a memorable eleven nights in the flat. The location and outlook were unbeatable.