The minute I saw Carrie's listing, I knew that her place was exactly where I wanted to be.
Her aesthetic can be hard to pull off, but she succeeds brilliantly: The apartment is full of artful touches yet feels airy and open. It reflects a highly personal point of view, yet never oppresses with the sense of occupying someone else's space.
The area, Leith, is a bit off the well-worn tourist track, but there's plenty of public transport, and it's a pleasant walk to the Center's tourist spots. Carrie left a list of her favorite places (even employing a hard-to-miss chalkboard). After a later-than-anticipated entry into the city, it was great to know that there was excellent pizza just a few minutes walk away. (Origano offers delivery as well, if you're just too pooped! There's great bar food and friendly folks just around the corner at the Black Fox. As for something more "special," try Chop House Leith.)
The bed was super comfortable, everything was immaculate, and Carrie was very generous with towels, comfy throws, and offerings in the kitchen. Communication was direct, prompt, easy and friendly.
One of my favorite things about travel is finding the perfect present for those back home. Carrie even helped with that, leaving a basket of her partner's beautiful drawings of the city available for purchase on the honor system. I couldn't have asked for a more meaningful gift for a niece who'd spent a semester studying in Edinburgh a few years ago. (Of course, she even provided tubes for transport!)
Scotland is an extraordinarily beautiful country full of kind, friendly people and I'm so grateful to Carrie for sharing her absolutely perfect perch!