Edinburgh, Scotland

Yes, you can do justice with two nights and 3 days. You may want to come back, but that's a nice introduction to the city. Don't forget to get away from the Royal Mile and visit New Town. If you have a day of down pouring rain, the Museum of Scotland is very good.

As for B&B's it depends on whether or not you want to get away from all the tourists. I've stayed down toward Leith. It's just a 10 minute bus ride up the hill to Prince's Street or the Royal Mile and an easy 20 minute walk back down it in the afternoon. Also, you can stay in places like Stockbridge or Murrayfield. My relatives from Orkney always stayed at a B&B in Murrayfield. I've stayed near Calton Hill, on Dalkeith Road and in Morningside and years ago in Murrayfield. Morningside felt the most remote, but now that I know the city better I realize it really wasn't that far. It is not a big city and nothing is really that far from the sites. There seem to restaurants and pubs everywhere.

BTW September is a great time to visit. I hope that you can get up north--at least as far as Perthshire if not to Inverness and the west. I'm sure you'll have a lovely trip. Don't forget your Goretex! You want a jacket with a hood. Pam

We were in Edinburgh in 2007 and stayed at the Amar Agua B&B:
http://www.amaragua.co.uk/

It was on a quiet street, but just off from a street that had several bus routes that took you directly to the historical center. A couple days we also just walked to the center...but we are "walkers!"

The B&B was great, and the hosts were wonderful, friendly, and very helpful.

I guess if we'd REALLY wanted to splurge we might have stayed on the Royal Mile, but I loved the experience we had at the B&B!

Judy - Our family stayed at the Mingalar(www.mingalar.eu/) this past summer. It is about a 10-15 minute walk from the Waverly train station. The accomodations were quite nice, and the breakfast was very good. The owner, Clive, is very knowledable about the goings on in town.

We were in Edinburgh about a month ago and stayed at the Apex City Hotel. It was a great location. Just down the hill and around the corner from the Royal Mile. Across the street from our hotel were a couple of restaurants which were excellent.

If you haven't been to Edinburgh before beware that the streets are extremely complicated. I think the only straight street in the city is the Royal Mile.

Our hotel was easy walking distance to the Waverly train station if you knew where you were going. Unfortunately we were directionally challenged and it took 2 locals to help us get there. We loved how we got directions though - first one: "o, you need to be on the road up there, then go past the Boots and take a right" and 2nd "see that little alley, go through it and then down the steps and you're there"

We have stayed at the Royal British. It is on Princes St. right across from the train station. It is about a 5 min. walk up to the Royal Mile (past Princes St. Gardens which are beautiful).

Daughter and I stayed at the Kenvie House B&B [recommended by RS] in mid-August this year; it's out in the Dalkeith Road area but a very easy 15-minute bus ride in to the Royal Mile. The bus stop was about 1.5 blocks away and buses came every 5-10 minutes. We were there 3 nights and 2 days; ate dinner downtown twice but on our last night walked to a recommendation by our hostess about 10 minutes from our B&B, which was fine. We had a very pleasant stay and saw most of what we wanted to see [including a couple of short plays, as it was during the Fringe Festival]. Though there is plenty left to see for our next trip... Have a wonderful time!

We stayed in Portobello, a 15 min. bus ride to Edinburgh. See: http://www.numberfive.com/

They are the cheapest self-catering apt. in the area. They are really clean. They also have free parking behind a gated wall. You can cook your own food and save a bundle. The bus stop is literally in front of the gate. I am not sure if they will rent for 3 days, but you can ask.

I was in Edinburgh for 3 nights in late September and stayed at the Air Na Said guest house a block off Dalkeith Road. The accommodations were comfortable and the breakfast was very good. It was convenient to a bus stop and there were a variety of places to eat within a short walk. I would stay there again. www.ardnasaid.co.uk

Hi Judy, My daughters and I stayed at the Jury's Inn on Jeffery street. While this isn't a B & B, the location is incredible. It is a short walk (3 blocks)to the train station and is on a close that leads to the Royal Mile (a quick 2-5 minute walk). New Town is an easy 10 minute walk from this location as well. While I would not recommend the restaraunt at this hotel, the rooms are clean and pleasant. You can see a lot of Edinburgh in three days. We stayed 3 nights/4 days but on one of our days took the Heart of Scotland tour to Loch Ness. If you have time, check out this day trip as it was the highlight to our three weeks in Europe. Whatever you decide I'm sure you will have a wonderful time. Scotland is amazing.

I prefer B&Bs as well, but for convenience, we stayed at the Travelodge in Edinburgh (as per a recommendation in Rick Steve's guidebook). It was pleasant, inexpensive,(though no breakfast), and the location was GREAT!. It is just off the Royal Mile down hill from the Castle. I would stay there again.