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Edinburgh University Summer Stays

Edinburgh can be very expensive in August due to all of the festivals (the Fringe, the Tattoo, the EIF et al) so I thought I’d mention a decently priced option for future consideration

I went up to the Fringe for a few nights and stayed in university accommodation at Pollock Halls, just south of the Old Town.

Rooms are available in the various student flats on a lovely landscaped campus with amazing views of Arthur’s Seat. The rooms are somewhat basic, but clean. Mine was an en-suite twin room in Chancellors Court. It had a decent shower room, two somewhat hard beds, kettle/tea/coffee, WiFi and the smallest TV I’d ever seen (but who needs the TV in Edinburgh during festival time?)

Breakfast was included, and served canteen-style in a building that served the whole campus - hot and cold food, including all the normal breakfast choices plus haggis. There is also a bar on campus serving food in the evening plus a couple of hotels with restaurants.

There are useful bus routes into the city centre from the main road nearby, as well as a taxi rank. And if you’re there for the Fringe it’s only about a mile or so to walk to venues such as the Pleasance Courtyard or George Square.

The thing that most struck me is the type of people staying there - almost all of us were in the 50-70 age range, mostly couples or groups of female friends, here for the Fringe or the Tattoo.

So I thought I’d mention it here - nothing is cheap in Edinburgh in August, but this is as cheap as it comes with a guarantee of feeling clean and safe and in a pleasant environment: https://www.uoecollection.com/summer-stays-at-the-university-of-edinburgh/chancellors-court/

Posted by
7966 posts

Oh, that's a great idea, Golden Girl! I am definitely bookmarking this for future reference. I've always wanted to go to the Fringe, and that sounds perfect. I like the location, too—it looks like it's near Holyrood Park. Thanks!

Posted by
730 posts

Yes, very near Holyrood Park. You’d have a great time, Mardee. Bring your Roka bag.

Incidentally when I say “decently priced,” it’s still around £100 or more a night in August - but it was the cheapest thing I could find other than some farflung B&Bs.

Posted by
502 posts

I stayed at Pollock Halls for one night with my son years ago in June, 2011 when we took a quick weekend trip from London, where I visited him while he was doing a summer internship. The price was great, the breakfast generous and I wouldn't hesitate staying there again.

Posted by
5595 posts

The Fringe is just so much fun. I've been twice, and plan to return. And the Tatoo shouldn't be missed.
Fun fact-
Robin Williams performed at the Fringe before he was well known.
Hope everyone has a chance to experience this Festival!

Posted by
516 posts

Oh how I miss Robin Williams.

Thanks for this information Golden Girl. It looks like a great option for a stay in August!

Posted by
7966 posts

You’d have a great time, Mardee. Bring your Roka bag.

Hahahahahaha!!! Definitely! I just brought both my small and medium Canfield to Minneapolis this weekend for a quick shopping trip. I brought the medium Canfield as it has a place for a laptop, and I needed to take mine to the Apple store.