Category: Hotel

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is nearly upon us and guests at the Dunstane Houses can look forward to an action-packed August in Edinburgh. The hotel is only a 10-minute walk away from the heart of the city centre, where artists from around the globe gather on this occasion and create “the world’s greatest platform for creative freedom”. It is indeed the largest festival in the world, featuring more than 55,000 performances throughout the month.

August also sees the return of another sell-out event in the world-famous Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo which takes place on the Esplanade at Edinburgh Castle. It is one of the most iconic events in the Edinburgh calendar. Performers from 48 countries are going to touch your heart and soul during this annual celebration of music, entertainment, and fireworks – a truly unforgettable experience. Taking place every evening between August 5th and August 27th, tickets are on sale and selling fast with prices ranging from £25 to £90, with premier seats and hospitality packages from £130.

To set you up right during your festival break, enjoy a great night’s sleep in one of our luxury rooms, followed by our famous full Scottish breakfast. Our team at the Dunstane Houses will ensure you have everything you need to make the most out of your stay, and your Fringe adventure.

Want to push the boat out? Why not treat yourself to our exclusive Jubilee package which includes a visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia? It is the perfect addition to make your Edinburgh Fringe experience one to remember. Our package includes a two-night stay in one of our luxury King rooms or Orkney suites, full Scottish breakfast, glass of champagne prior to dinner, a private chauffeur tour of Edinburgh, as well as a trip to the Queen’s former yacht, to enjoy scones and tea.

The team at the Dunstane Houses love sharing their top tips and hidden Fringe gems with you to make your stay in Edinburgh that extra special. Here are some of the theatre, comedy, and dance acts you shouldn’t miss:

Autumn is a beautiful time to visit Edinburgh. The leaves are changing colour, the air is crisp and clean, and the city seems to take on an even more magical quality than it does in summer. Here at The Dunstane Houses we love the longer nights, colder mornings and the carpet of leaves covering the pavements. To celebrate one of our favourite seasons, we have put together our must-see list of the seven best things to do in Edinburgh this autumn.

DOWN IN THE DUNGEON
The Edinburgh Dungeon is a great day out for families or groups of friends, who can explore the city’s dark history. The tour takes you through an underground maze where you will come face to face with gruesome characters and hear spine-tingling stories about their lives in medieval Scotland.

TAKE A WALK
Autumnal walks are one of our favourite things to do when the paths are covered in cold, crisp leaves. Hop on the Number 26 bus to Edinburgh’s hidden gem, Corstorphine Hill. The walk will take you through beautiful woodland, where you can enjoy stunning views of the city skyline and listen to curlews calling their haunting song over the wind-swept hills. Just behind the hotel, take a walk down the stunning Water of Leith all the way to one of the world’s coolest neighbourhoods at the Shore.

SEE THE EDINBURGH OF OLD
The Real Mary King’s Close is a fascinating part of Scottish history and offers you a unique opportunity to see the Edinburgh of the 17th century. Meet the residents and walk the streets of Edinburgh as it was during the great plague epidemic of the Black Death. The one-hour guided tour of Mary King’s Close is a great way to celebrate spooky season.

COSY UP IN A PUB
Edinburgh is world-renowned for its hundreds of pubs and bars which boast centuries of history. Many of these have open fires providing you with the perfect place to cosy up on the cooler days with a pint of something local. Teuchters and Whighams in the West End are just a short walk from the hotel and a couple of our favourites.

VISIT YOUR FAVOURITE FILM LOCATIONS
From cult favourites like Trainspotting and Restless Natives to international blockbusters such as the Harry Potter series, many of your favourite films have been shot in Edinburgh. Visit some of these locations or take a tour with Movie Tours Scotland who offer regular trips around several popular film spots. Just ten minutes from The Dunstane Houses on the tram you will find some of the locations used in The Avengers: Infinity War – a must see for any Marvel fan! A walk around Edinburgh’s Old Town is truly like walking around a film set!

HIT THE SHOPS
Edinburgh is a shoppers’ paradise, and with the new St James Quarter you will find a huge number of global brands and independent boutiques all within a short walk of each other. Whether you are looking to start your Christmas shopping early or splurge on yourself, Edinburgh is the perfect place for a spot of retail therapy. While visiting the new shopping centre, make sure to pop up to Bonnie & Wild to sample some delicious Scottish fayre and warm up with a cocktail or two.

SAMHUINN FIRE PARADE
This annual parade marks the transition into winter and is a spectacular procession of fire and light through the city streets. The event celebrates the ancient Celtic festival of Samhuinn, which takes place on 31st October each year and is a dramatic celebration of light over darkness. The route and timings are typically released 48 hours ahead of the event to those who have registered.

There’s truly no better time to visit Edinburgh than in Autumn. Stay at The Dunstane Houses and enjoy free parking, 5-star luxurious rooms, delicious food and drink as well as our renowned Scottish hospitality. If that’s not enough to entice you, those staying before the end of November and booking our Ultimate Dunstane Experience will get a complimentary bottle of gin as well as a complimentary Orkney gin tasting. We look forward to welcoming you this autumn to our The Dunstane Houses.

Edinburgh is a beautiful city to visit at any time of year, but especially so during the Christmas season. There are lots of festive activities and events taking place in the city over the coming weeks, so if you’re looking for some ideas on what to do in Edinburgh this Christmas then look no further.

CHRISTMAS MARKETS
There are several Christmas markets taking place in Edinburgh over the next few weeks, all of which offer a delightful festive atmosphere in the heart of the city centre. With over 200 stalls selling a huge range of unique gifts and decorations, you are bound to find that unique present for that special someone. Edinburgh’s Christmas runs from late November to 4th January.

CHRISTMAS COCKTAILS
Warm the cockles with a hot cocktail. The Winter Garden at The Dunstane Houses offers a range of festive cocktails, including Mulled Wine which is the perfect accompaniment to a range of sweet treats including Orkney marshmallows and liquid hazelnut chocolate. Cosy up under the heaters with a blanket and hot water bottle and soak up the relaxed, festive atmosphere with friends and family.

CHRISTMAS CONCERTS
What better way to get into the Christmas spirit than by enjoying some of the best festive entertainment? The Usher Hall, Edinburgh Playhouse and Festival Theatre are all hosting a range of concerts throughout December. Entertain all the family with the spectacular, toe-tapping production of Irving Berlin’s classic musical, White Christmas while fans of the panto can enjoy Sleeping Beauty at the King’s Theatre.

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
Edinburgh is one of the most beautiful cities in the world at Christmas time, thanks to its amazing Christmas lighting displays. Book yourself a ticket to the spectacular lighting trail which winds its way through the Royal Botanic Gardens or just take a wander and visit some of the most jaw-droppingly beautiful lights at places like The Dome and, Edinburgh’s own Castle of Light.

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING
Peruse the boutiques of Edinburgh’s West End or meander through the St James Quarter with its selection of global fashion houses and well-known brands. Scotland’s capital is the perfect place for some festive retail therapy. Some of our favourite independents include Iolla for Scottish-made eyewear, Frontiersman and Frontierswoman for high-end clothing and Rosie Brown for beautiful handmade jewellery.

CHRISTMAS SKATING
Get your skates on and head to George Street to take advantage of this year’s Christmas ice rink. With a uniquely shaped rink and a spectacular light show, this is one of Edinburgh’s most popular festive attractions. Skate right up to the bar to enjoy festive drinks and nibbles before heading out on the town.

CHRISTMAS STAYCATION
Want to get away from it all and give yourself a well-earned rest before the madness of Christmas? Why not book our Romantic Night In package for you and your other half? Spend the night in one of our incredible Orkney suites and soak up the luxury with a bottle of Joseph Perrier Champagne, an intimate dinner and a host of decadent perks to make this the perfect pre-Christmas staycation.

Whatever the weather, there is something for everyone to enjoy this Christmas. If you are looking to visit our wonderful city from further afield, why not stay at The Dunstane Houses?

Scotland and Whisky is a long-established partnership, however, there is no denying that gin is one of the world’s fastest growing spirits, with Scottish gin in particular undergoing a massive revival.

This has in turn led to a passion from consumers for exploring new brands and new ways of enjoying the spirit, be it with garnishes, tonics or in cocktails. The flexibility of the recipes, and relative simplicity of its production, makes gin the perfect spirit for those looking to create and sell their own brand.

Believe it or not, last year alone, British drinkers consumed around the equivalent of 1.12 billion G&Ts, according to the Wine and Spirit Trade Association.

With that we’re pleased to report that Scotland is leading the way in distillation, with over 70 per cent of the production of the gin consumed in the UK occurring in our backyard, and according to market research site Euromonitor, sales of the white spirit could soon overtake the sales of blended whisky in the UK this year.

Have you been Swept up in the Ginaissance and Eager to combine an Edinburgh escape with a visit to the wonderful world of craft gin? Or do you simply Just fancy a high-spirited weekend away this springtime?

SPRINGTIME GIN-TIME
Spring is a wonderful time of the year to visit Edinburgh. You get to see the capital city filled with all the stunning colours from all the flowers and gardens, reds, blues, greens and everything in between- a perfect place for a G&T I should add.
Not only is it beautiful outdoors but there is also plenty of other things going on in Spring to make your stay one to remember, to see more about Edinburgh in the Spring, please click here. Otherwise, if you fancy experiencing Gin in Scotland properly then we’ve got the perfect package for those of you wanting to put a cultural twist on your Gin-filled weekend.

Book this special two-night break at our luxury boutique hotel in Edinburgh and enjoy a host of gin-based experiences guaranteed to warm your cockles and hone your palette

Your stay includes:
• Two nights’ accommodation in Dunstane House or Hampton House, with full Scottish breakfast each morning in the Ba’ Bar
• Afternoon tea in the Ba’ Bar on arrival – enhanced by a craft G&T
• A tour of Pickering’s Gin distillery to discover how handcrafted spirits are made
• A guided private tasting of Orkney’s Kirkjuvagr craft gins with Dunstane’s resident spirit specialist
• A bottle of our very own house spirit – DunGin – to take home with you.

As some of you may know, here at The Dunstane Houses we like to go above and beyond to make sure that here at our Edinburgh boutique hotel, we do things the right way. Whether it is keeping the hotel up to date, changing the menu in the Ba’Bar, organising activities for guests or just simply offering good old-fashioned Scottish hospitality, we take a lot of pride in what we do.

In 2018 we had a fantastic year with regards to awards, receiving 5* by Visit Scotland, Boutique Hotel of the Year 2018 at the Scottish Hotel Awards and more.

In 2019 so far we are delighted to have won Edinburgh’s Most Romantic Hotel and Bar Dining Hotel of the year and we can only put it down to the passion and enthusiasm shared by the team.

With this in mind, we are delighted The Dunstane House has just been invited to become a part of the exclusive travel club Mr & Mrs Smith.

MR & MRS SMITH
For those of you who don’t know, Mr & Mrs Smith is the travel club for hotel lovers: an award-winning, boutique-hotel booking service, specialising in the world’s most seductive stays. Founded in 2003, there are now more than 1,000 boutique and luxury hotels in the collection, all hand-picked and anonymously reviewed. With Smith you’ll get the best prices guaranteed, free extras on arrival and round-the-clock service from the Smith24 team of in-house travel specialists. The collection now also includes luxury villas, bespoke itineraries and unique experiences, too.

EDINBURGH
Edinburgh is a beautifully fascinating and charming city, rich in heritage and culture. Sure, the weather is slightly unpredictable to say the least, but we can’t have it all, can we? With Edinburgh Castle, Arthur’s seat, Princes Street Gardens, the shopping, the architecture, the food, our colourful history and much more, there’s certainly no shortage of fun things to do in Edinburgh.

Although Edinburgh isn’t a particularly large city, you’ll still definitely want accommodation that’s conveniently located to the Edinburgh city centre, especially after a long day of sight-seeing.

THE DUNSTANE HOUSES
The Dunstane Houses are a pair of independent, family-run, four- and five-star luxury boutique hotels that offer guests the best of the Scottish capital-Set in two heritage buildings in a peaceful corner of Edinburgh’s West End. Conveniently, The Dunstane Houses are only a 10-minute walk from the City Centre.

CONVENIENTLY LOCATED
Getting to and from the airport is also an important factor when booking accommodation, travelling can quite easily drag on and eat into your precious holiday time. Getting to The Dunstane Houses only takes 15 minutes by car from Edinburgh Airport, or 20 minutes with the CityLink bus which conveniently stops right outside our front door, meaning, you have the most amount of time to enjoy yourself whilst in our exciting city.
If you’re wanting to visit Murrayfield stadium (Home to Scotland’s Rugby Team) during your time in Edinburgh, then you’ll only need to walk 5 minutes down the hill from our front door- ideal after a few pints at the rugby or a few glasses of wine at a concert.

A PROPER SCOTTISH EXPERIENCE
It’s not all about convenience however, here at The Dunstane Houses, we pride ourselves on our welcoming Scottish hospitality and giving our guest a complete Scottish experience. We also offer the finest seasonal Scottish produce in our all-day dining room and lounge, the Ba’ Bar – home to one of the widest and best selections of rare and vintage whiskies in Edinburgh.
Our 35 comfortable and contemporary bedrooms are spread between the two buildings, including 16 newly refurbished rooms in The Dunstane House have each been beautifully styled to balance timeless tradition and modern comfort.
Our hotel is conveniently located for many other main attractions as well, so if you’re looking for somewhere luxurious to stay that is conveniently located with proper Scottish soul then The Dunstane Houses is definitely for you. We have plenty of offers on at the moment, for more information please click here or to book now please click on the Book Now & Save button at the top right of this webpage.

WALKING DISTANCES FROM HOTEL
• Haymarket train station – 5 mins
• Murrayfield Stadium – 5 mins
• Edinburgh City Centre – 10 mins
• Edinburgh International Conference Centre – 10 mins
• Edinburgh Castle – 20 mins

Other places of interest all just a short bus ride away or walking:
• The Palace of Holyrood
• The Royal Yacht Britannia
• The National gallery of Scotland/Modern art
• The Edinburgh Dungeons
• The Botanical Gardens
• Scotch Whisky Experience
• Edinburgh Zoo

Are you looking for a luxurious meeting space in Edinburgh? If so The Dunstane Houses brings boutique hotel character and family-run warmth to corporate functions and business meetings and should defenitely be your first port of call. Our hotel is conveniently located being only a 5-minute walk from Haymarket station, 10 minutes from the city centre, the bus stop is right outside our front door, we have onsite parking, our Ba’Bar has a fantastic selection of food and drinks and the coffee is excellent- what more could you possibly ask for?

THE STROMA LOUNGE
With The Stroma Lounge in The Hampton House having just been refurbished, our meeting rooms and private-dining space make for an ideal venue for corporate events with character – whether that’s a conference, a workshop, boardroom-style gatherings, seminars or presentations, and we can supply reliable projection equipment, WiFi, flip charts, stationery and – critical to the success of any meeting or conference – delicious artisan biscuits.
If you’d like to book your meeting space, please click here. If you’re looking for space for another event, we cater for all sorts;

CELEBRATIONS
From big birthday bashes and company parties to funeral teas and family get-togethers, the Dunstane Houses has a track record in providing the perfect venue, atmosphere and warm, professional service for special celebrations and important occasions. Our chef is a dab hand with canapés, can whip up a knockout buffet spread and prepare a three-course set dinner menu as you require. For more information please click here.

WEDDINGS
If you’re holding a wedding in Edinburgh, chances are you’re looking for somewhere spectacular to accommodate your wedding party. Step forward the Dunstane Houses. With a close-to-the-centre location, 16 bedrooms in Dunstane House and a further 19 over the road in Hampton House, we’re perfectly placed to accommodate wedding parties, host intimate events, and make sure you big day is worth remembering for all the right reasons. To see more about our wedding packages please click here.

EXCLUSIVELY YOURS
Want the hotel to yourself? Both Dunstane House and Hampton House are available for private hire – either individually or as a pair. Book exclusive use of one or both houses and you’ll have up to 35 bedrooms to spread yourselves around, along with private bar lounges and dedicated staff, and bespoke dining menus at your fingertips. To see more about our exclusive use

Situated only a five minute walk away from The Dunstane hotel, lays the famous bustling area of Haymarket, Edinburgh. Now jam-packed full of fantastic eateries, trams and boutiques, we take a look back at the history of Haymarket.

Known for its iconic train station, the development of the Haymarket area began in 1842. Connecting Glasgow to Edinburgh, the station functioned as the major hub of long-distance transport, until the line was extended through Princes Street Gardens to end at what is now known as Edinburgh Waverly station.

In recent times, the instalment of the Edinburgh tramline brought about the opportunity for archaeologists to explore the city’s history. During the renovation, archaeology teams discovered both prehistoric remains and a medieval depot. In the Haymarket area, a preserved underground wartime bunker was uncovered, dating from the Second World War.

Further investigation revealed that prior to the war; the 80 foot long shelter had been used as a pulley room to help power the city’s trams in the 19th century. It has been documented that upon the exploration, the team discovered preserved artefacts such as signage from the Second World War and has since been protected from any further damage for historical study.

In 2003, the locally adored Haymarket Station came under threat from proposals to demolish it and be repositioned elsewhere. However, due to public concern this proposal was thankfully withdrawn. The train station has since undergone a major refurbishment; nevertheless, the station has retained the major identifying features.

EXPERIENCE THE HISTORY OF HAYMARKET AT THE DUNSTANE
Seeking your own slice of Haymarket history? Book into our gorgeous Victorian townhouses at the Dunstane to experience the history of Haymarket first hand.

Scotland is known to have many mountains and hills, such as Munros (mountains over 3,000 feet) like Ben Nevis, Schiehallion and the Cairngorms. One of the most famous hills, is arguably Arthur’s Seat. An 822ft extinct volcano at the heart of Edinburgh’s Holyrood Park.

ANCIENT HISTORY
There is archaeological evidence of people being settled on Arthur’s Seat from the Stone Age, with the volcano itself being over 350 million years old. The evidence suggests life was tough for those on Arthur’s Seat, with evidence of tribal fighting and Roman invasion found in the area. During the 12th Century, the land around Arthur’s Seat was given to Holyrood Abbey, which had well established farms and brewery’s in the area and during the 13th Century St Anthony’s Chapel was built. The ruins of which can still be seen at the foot of Arthur’s Seat.

WHO IS ARTHUR?
Stories of how the name ‘Arthur’s Seat’ came about vary from family to family. Each child is told their own version that has been handed down through generations. Some say, King Arthur himself stopped on the ledge, sitting down to warm himself on the volcano, others have other tales linked to the famous Arthur Pendragon. However, the more realistic version comes from the gaelic name Ard-na-Said, which means height of arrows.

WHY VISIT ARTHUR’S SEAT?
Some of the most iconic images of Edinburgh have been taken from the top of Arthur’s Seat. It sits in the 640 acre Royal Park, next to the Queen’s official residence in Scotland, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and so many residents and visitors alike spend hours walking around the park and Duddingston Loch. A registered site of special scientific interest, there are hundreds of species of flora to be seen, as well as the breathtaking views (on a nice day!) across the whole of Edinburgh, the Forth Valley and even way across the Firth of Forth to the Kingdom of Fife. On a really good day, you can even see Ewan McGregor sprinting up…although that might just have been a scene in Trainspotting 2.

A visit to Edinburgh isn’t complete without a walk up Arthur’s Seat, or a Gin tasting at the Dunstane Houses now we think about it!

Edinburgh is a great city all year round, but if visited in the winter season you’ll know that most of the outdoor local attractions aren’t as enjoyable when it’s wet and cold. Thankfully, when summer finally arrives, Edinburgh blossoms into a true cultural beauty! These are ways you can take advantage of the burst of light and warmth in the famous Scottish capital.

HOP UP ON ARTHUR’S SEAT
Arthur’s Seat is great all year round, but wouldn’t it be better to see it when the sun is shining over everything below? During the summer, the height of Arthur’s Seat the sun shines on everything below it and casts stunning shadows over the city below making it one of the most beautiful sights in Scotland.

ASCEND THE SCOTT MONUMENT
Have you ever known a writer to have a monument built for them? This is the world’s largest monument ever built for an author, marking Edinburgh on the world map with its respect for literature. Achieving completion in 1945, the monument took almost four years to build. The building tower is a massive 200 ft and 6 inches tall, with a hefty 287 steps. That’s quite a climb but makes for a great family day out during the Edinburgh summer.

THE STAND
So the day has run away with you and you’re looking for a bit of light entertainment! Why not grab a bite of the comedy performances at The Stand, Edinburgh’s most famous comedy club! With up and coming comedians coming out of every crevice in Edinburgh, The Stand produces a quality of humour that is unbeatable. The entertainment factor from The Stand is undeniably great! It’s the experience of a lifetime.

TAKE A TRAM
One of the newest (and still growing) features to Edinburgh is the tram system. The cost so far has been £521 million pounds and by the end of development the expected cost of the development is expected to top £1 billion. This expensive scheme has added to Edinburgh’s tourist attractiveness with the ease of travel. Edinburgh has since been nicknamed by many of the locals as the “San-Francisco of Scotland.” The incredible trademark is definitely worth checking out during Edinburgh’s sunny season to soak up the atmosphere of the city.

SUNBATHE ON THE BEACH
Fancy soaking up some rays and relaxing by the water? Head on down to Edinburgh’s very own sandy expanse, Portobello Beach. A firm favourite with both locals and tourists in the summer months, a trip to Portobello beach promises plenty of delicious local ice cream and of course, a seaside serving of fish and chips too.

VISIT CRAMOND ISLAND
If you’re looking to spend a little bit more time by the sea, then Cramond Island makes the perfect day trip from the city of Edinburgh in Scotland…

Tucked away in a little-known area of Edinburgh, the village of Cramond lies sleepily by the sea. Complete with a tidal island and once inhabited by the Romans, you can’t go wrong by taking the number 41 bus from the city centre and spending a couple of hours exploring the area.

After all, the place is packed with history and few tourists. In fact, one of the most important Roman statues ever found in the UK was discovered, quite by accident, by a fisherman in the local harbour. The so-called ‘Cramond Lioness’ was discovered in 1997 and depicts a prisoner being killed by a lioness. It is thought to have been used for a Roman tomb and is associated with the nearby Cramond Roman Fort.

Just make sure you allow enough time to get back to shore before the tide comes in!

SUMMER BREAKS IN EDINBURGH WITH THE DUNSTANE
Your day in Edinburgh is done but you’re not quite ready to leave, so what do you do? You could always indulge in our luxury accommodation at the Dunstane. Complete with an outstanding Orcadian restaurant and state of the art facilities, why wouldn’t you want to stay with us?