10 suggestions for cheap accommodation during the Edinburgh
Festival
August in Edinburgh, Scotland is festival time. And it's not
just one festival but six:
There is the original Edinburgh International Festival of music,
drama and visual arts that started in 1947. Around the same time
came the Edinburgh International Film Festival promoting British
and continental films as well as American imports.
In 1950 the army started performing the Edinburgh Military
Tattoo in the Castle Esplanade, which has become one of the main
festival attractions with some 200,000 tickets sold each year.
Then during the 1950's uninvited performers set up shop in any
space they could find in pubs, halls and churches. By the end of
the fifties the uninvited referred to themselves as being on the
Fringe. Today the Fringe Festival is actually bigger than the
official festival and is the main draw for many festival
visitors.
The Edinburgh Book Festival is held in a series of marquees
erected in the middle of Charlotte Square in Edinburgh's New
Town. It's also worth taking time off from the festival to pay a
visit to the Georgian House that stands at the end of Charlotte
Square. Refurbished by the National Trust for Scotland this
Robert Adam designed house shows what domestic life was like for
the well to do in 18th Century Edinburgh.
Last but not least is the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival with
free concerts in Princes Street Gardens and the Grassmarket as
well as in numerous pubs and bars.
With so much going on in one month it's not surprising that the
city's population of about half a million is expanded by three
times. And whilst the city has a great many hotels and guest
houses it make sense to book early to secure your Edinburgh
accommodation. So here are some suggestions for the budget
conscious seeking cheap discount
hotels.
Ailsa Craig Hotel, 24 Royal Terrace, EH7 5AH (+44 [0]131 556
1022) offers large clean rooms with original Georgian features.
Popular with students and low budget groups.
Balfour Guest House, 90-92 Pilrig Street, EH6 5AY (+44 [0]131
554 2106) has a central location with free parking that makes it
popular with groups.
Brodies Guest
House, 22 East Claremont Street, EH7 4JP (+44 [0]131 556
4032) has been extensively refurbished with most rooms having
en-suite facilities. Friendly service, free street parking and
full Scottish breakfasts at this family owned establishment.
Claremont, 14-15 Claremont Terrace, EH7 4HX (+44 [0]131 556
1487) has large clean rooms some with views of Arthur's Seat -
the extinct volcano that looms out of Holyrood Park. The
downstairs disco may be much enjoyed by some but too noisy for
others.
Frederick House Hotel, 42 Frederick Street, EH2 1EX (+44 [0]131
226 1999) is a listed building very near Waverley Station - the
main Edinburgh railway station.
Glendale Guest House, 5 Lady Road, EH16 5PA (+44 [0]131 667
6588) situated in the conservation area of Craigmillar Park, 3km
from Edinburgh Castle and Princes Street. Secure private parking
and close to a direct bus route into town.
Greens Hotel, 24 Eglinton Terrace, EH12 5BY (+44 [0]131 337
1565) owned by a charitable trust and located just near
Haymarket Station this hotel offers good quality at a reasonable
price.
Menzies Guesthouse, 33 Leamington Terrace, EH10 4JS (+44 [0]131
229 4629) is located in the heart of the city of Edinburgh just
a short walk away from Princes Street, Edinburgh Castle, King's
Theatre and all main attractions.
Nova Hotel, 5 Bruntsfield Crescent, EH10 4EZ (+44 [0]131 447
6437) is just ten minutes from town and offers spacious rooms
suitable for groups.
Town House, 65 Gilmore Place, EH3 9NU (+44 [0]131 229 1985) is
close to some of the major theatres making it convenient for
Festival visitors.
Full details of festival dates and venues are at
www.edinburghfestivals.co.uk and for a useful site listing more
Edinburgh accommodation options take a look at
www.visitscotland.com.