Overall, this was a good stay. I would say that for the price, the best part of this listing is the location. It is certainly close enough to the city center to walk (which I had done on one day of my trip), or during colder months, there is a bus stop just on the corner. The buses are very easy to use and come frequently. I will start with some things I wasn't a fan of, and move to the better qualities of this apartment.
I found that the apartment was not as clean as it should have been. It was overall fine, but many harder-to-reach places (and places that often go overlooked) were dirtier. For example, the corners of the shower (inside the door, where you couldn't see looking in) were quite dusty, the backsplash in the kitchen had some small splatters on it from previous guests cooking, and the seat cushions had a couple of hairs on them. This being said, if the cleaning team were to clean a bit more thoroughly, I would see no reason not to stay here. Other reviewers mentioned the age of the building and that it gets a bit musty. For me, this was true in the hallways (definitely damp and musty), but once in the apartment everything was fine since I do not have allergies.
One other "flaw" (this is subjective) is that the apartment could use a bit of a "facelift" in order to make it a bit cozier, and to feel that some real attention and care went into its design. When I arrived, the pictures on the walls were crooked, some of the furniture is stained with coffee/water rings, and in general it doesn't feel like it is furnished very intentionally. New carpeting and a fresh coat of paint would really bring it to life.
The positives: once again the location. Wonderful location with bus access, access to the city by foot, and some great cafés nearby (Red Kite Café especially!). There is a washing machine which is difficult to come by in many airbnbs and it seems almost brand new. The space is big, and the heating works very well so I was comfortable throughout the entire stay. I also traveled alone, as a young woman in her twenties, and felt very very safe. The main entrance to the building is always locked, and there are two different locks with a deadbolt on the door. The neighborhood also felt very safe. Also, the linens were very clean and the bed was comfortable, and there were plenty of extra clean linens in the bedroom closet. Finally, the check-in process was very easy, and the host provided an entire informational packet on how to get from the airport to the apartment using multiple methods and routes.
Overall, I think this place has a fair cost/value rapport, especially given the high price of the pound and of hotels/airbnbs in Edinburgh. I think the cleaning could be more thorough and the style updated a bit, but once again, a good value, spacious apartment. (For those who require an at-home Covid antigen/PCR test upon arrival in Scotland, mine was delivered on time and was slipped into the mail slot!).
Thank you to the hosts.