Apartment

Old Town Gem - Castle, Dark History, Uni

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Reviews

4.0 out of 10
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 440 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Parking available

Explore the area

View map
Edinburgh, null
  • Place, University of Edinburgh
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Royal Mile
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Place, Grassmarket
    ‪9 min walk‬
  • Airport, Edinburgh (EDI)
    ‪31 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

1 Double Bed

Extra bed space

1 Double Sofa Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Kitchen

About this property

Old Town Gem - Castle, Dark History, Uni

Spring & Summer Escape in the Heart of Edinburgh’s Historic Old Town

Nestled on Drummond Street, in the shadow of one of Edinburgh’s most storied neighbourhoods, this charming 1-bedroom apartment is the perfect base for exploring Scotland’s vibrant capital in the warmer months.

Whether you’re here for the world-famous Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, or simply soaking up the long summer evenings on cobbled streets steeped in centuries of history, you’ll be right in the heart of it all. With space for up to 4 guests and thoughtful touches throughout, the apartment works equally well for families, couples, or solo travellers.
A Street Like No Other
Few streets in Edinburgh carry the weight of history that Drummond Street does. It sits alongside a remarkable stretch of the Flodden Wall — the medieval fortification hastily built after the catastrophic Scottish defeat at the Battle of Flodden in 1513, and one of the best-preserved sections of Edinburgh’s ancient city defences. Walking past it each day is a quiet reminder that you’re living inside living history.

Just around the corner lies the world-famous Surgeons’ Hall, home to one of the most fascinating — and occasionally gruesome — museums in Scotland. It was the insatiable demand for cadavers from Edinburgh’s pioneering medical students and surgeons that drove William Burke and William Hare to their infamous and macabre trade in the 1820s, selling the bodies of their victims to the great anatomist Dr Robert Knox. The dark tale of Burke and Hare is woven into the very fabric of this neighbourhood, and the Surgeons’ Hall Museum tells the story in remarkable, if unsettling, detail. Edinburgh University itself, one of the world’s great seats of learning, is equally close by — making the apartment ideal for visiting academics, prospective students, and anyone drawn to the city’s extraordinary intellectual heritage.

The street’s literary credentials are just as compelling. J.K. Rowling reportedly found inspiration for the early Harry Potter stories in the atmospheric closes and winding lanes of the Old Town, with cafés nearby said to have provided refuge as she wrote. And for fans of Ian Rankin’s Inspector Rebus, the pubs and bars of Drummond Street and the surrounding area are firmly part of Edinburgh’s most famous fictional detective’s world — making this the perfect base for a literary pub crawl of your own.
Inside the Apartment

Enjoy a bright and welcoming space designed with every guest in mind. The comfortable lounge features a large smart TV — great for winding down after a day of sightseeing or keeping the kids entertained on a quiet evening. The bedroom has its own large smart TV too, so everyone can watch what they want in comfort. The fully equipped kitchen has a hob, oven, fridge, freezer, microwave and kettle, perfect for families who prefer the flexibility of cooking their own meals. The bathroom features a walk-in shower, and fast WiFi runs throughout.

On Your Doorstep
∙ Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile — a few minutes’ walk
∙ Surgeons’ Hall Museum — one of Scotland’s most fascinating collections
∙ Edinburgh University — one of the world’s great centres of learning
∙ Arthur’s Seat — a stunning volcanic hike with panoramic city views
∙ Palace of Holyroodhouse
∙ Independent shops and cafés along Cockburn Street
∙ Festival venues, open-air performances and Fringe events throughout summer
∙ The Flodden Wall — right on your street
House Rules:
∙ Check-in: 4pm | Check-out: 10am
∙ No smoking | No pets
∙ Parking available in the secure car park adjacent to the building (shared space, £10/day — please confirm availability before booking)

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 18
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Infants allowed

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property

About the area

Edinburgh

Old Town Edinburgh, a neighbourhood in Edinburgh, is home to this apartment. Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle are notable landmarks, and travellers looking to shop may want to visit Grassmarket and Princes Street. Looking to enjoy an event or a game? See what's going on at Edinburgh International Conference Centre or Murrayfield Stadium.
Map
Edinburgh, null

What's nearby

  • University of Edinburgh - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Royal Mile - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
  • National Museum of Scotland - 6 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Grassmarket - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Edinburgh Castle - 15 min walk - 1.3 km

Getting around

  • Edinburgh (ZXE-Edinburgh Waverly Train Station) - 8 min walk
  • St Andrew Square Tram Stop - 14 min walk
  • Edinburgh Airport (EDI) - 30 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Bannerman's Bar - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Origin Coffee - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Salt Horse - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Noodles Home Edinburgh - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Biblos - ‬3 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Old Town Gem - Castle, Dark History, Uni pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Old Town Gem - Castle, Dark History, Uni?

As of 23 Apr 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Old Town Gem - Castle, Dark History, Uni on 25 June 2026 start from AU$525, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at Old Town Gem - Castle, Dark History, Uni?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Old Town Gem - Castle, Dark History, Uni?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Old Town Gem - Castle, Dark History, Uni?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Old Town Gem - Castle, Dark History, Uni located?

Located in Old Town Edinburgh, this apartment building is within a 5-minute walk of Surgeon's Hall and University of Edinburgh. Royal Mile and Grassmarket are also within 10 minutes. St Andrew Square Tram Stop is 14 minutes by foot and Princes Street Tram Stop is 16 minutes.

Reviews

4.0
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 0 out of 1 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 1 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 1 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 1 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 1 reviews

4.0/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Check-in

8.0/10

Communication

8.0/10

Location

2.0/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

4/10 Poor

FREDERIC G.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Cleanliness, listing accuracy

A éviter

Mise à part de sa situation dans le centre de la vieille d’Edimbourg, cette appartement a été une grande déception. L’’immeuble paraît bien mais dès la porte franchie tout est sale et dégradé. Il faut savoir que l’appartement qui se situe en rez-de-chaussée est bas de plafond. Il se compose d’un petit couloir d’entrée, d’une chambre très petite (difficile de faire le tour du lit), d’un petit séjour, d’une cuisine sans fenêtre et d’une salle de bain/WC très très exiguë, si votre stature est un peu forte vous aurez du mal à vous glissez entre la porte et le mini lavabo pour atteindre les toilettes. Quand à la douche si vous arrivez a entrer dans la cabine ça frise l’exploit. Je vais vous parler de la chambre à coucher, le lit est d’un autre temps trop petit pour deux personnes, la couette est trop courte en longueur et trop juste en largeur, le couvre lit rose était taché, les portes de la penderie sont complètement déglinguée. Dans la cuisine qui est donc sans fenêtre, il n’y a ni sel, ni poivre, ni épices etc comme dans les autres logements, la vaisselle laisse à désirer, une poêle qui est bonne à jeter, la bouche d’aération du congélateur pleine de poussière. Le sol de la salle de bains gondole, la porte ne s’ouvre pas complètement, la bouche d’aération est plus que sale, la luminosité est à pleine plus claire que celle que vous avez dans les souterrains d’Edimbourg. On ne peut pas se sentir bien dans ce logement. Son prix n’est pas moins cher pour autant. Nous l’avons payé plus cher que Adagio qui n’était malheureusement plus disponible à ces dates. Cet appartement ne devrait pas faire partie des sélections proposées par abritel. C’est visiblement juste pour faire de l’argent. A fuir ABSOLUMENT.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 27 May 2022
Hello Frederic, We are genuinely sorry to read about the issue you experienced. Be assured that it is not the kind of service we would like to offer you and I understand your dissatisfaction. We have already informed the owner about it to help them ensure that all their guests will have a fantastic stay. We do hope that you stay with us again. Kind Regards, TravelNest Team

About the host

Hosted by Travelnest

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English
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