Marchmont is a popular area in Edinburgh, because of its proximity to the city centre, frequent bus service and many amenities combined with the open spaces of Bruntsfield Links and the Meadows. The many cafes with pavement tables give the community a continental feel (there are a dozen or so cafes within 5–10 minutes' walk of Kilgraston Court apartment).
Within a few blocks of Kilgraston Court, you will find all you need (and more) for self-catering during your visit, including a supermarket, off-licence, Eddie's Seafood Market (one of the best fishmonger's in Edinburgh), restaurants, delicatessens, newsagents, greengrocers, pubs, takeaways for Chinese or Italian food or kebabs, and a pharmacy. There is also a post office, bank, and hairdressers as well as numerous local shops and boutiques to explore.
Warrender Leisure Centre, first opened in 1887, offer a pleasant environment for a swim.
Edinburgh's Old Town is only a mile to the north of Kilgraston Court. Walking across Middle Meadow Walk you will reach Greyfriars Church in about 10–15 minutes; the National Museum of Scotland in Chambers Street and University of Edinburgh Old College in South Bridge; then the National Library of Scotland on George IV Bridge. About a 20–30 minutes' walk will bring you to the Royal Mile (and Edinburgh Castle), the Cowgate and Grassmarket, or Waverley Railway Station and Princes Street. Alternatively, Bus 41 will take you to George IV Bridge (where you can get off for the Royal Mile) and via the Mound to Princes Street and continues as far as the pretty village of Cramond on the shores of the River Forth. There is a taxi rank on Warrender Park Road near Marchmont Road. Don't forget to check out Visit Scotland's visitor attractions.
Many Edinburgh Festival and Fringe venues are close to Marchmont, including those set up on the Meadows, and various venues at Edinburgh University and Bristo Square (Gilded Balloon, Underbelly). The Hub (Festival Ticket Office) is about 20–30 minutes' walk away on the Royal Mile. The Kings Theatre, Usher Hall, Traverse Theatre, Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh Festival Theatre and Queen's Hall are all within about 20–30 minutes' walk. Cinemas close (about 20 minutes' walk) to Marchmont include three on Lothian Road (Cameo, Odeon and Filmhouse), and also the lovely Dominion in Morningside.
When you are tired of visiting the many interesting sites in Edinburgh, the Meadows and Bruntsfield Links offer plenty of opportunity to relax outside with a book, picnic or glass of wine; the perfect place to play with friends and the family: from frisbee to football, tennis at the Meadows Tennis Complex (where you can hire everything you need), children's swings and multi-activity compounds, or golf on the short 36-hole Bruntsfield Links Golf Course, where you can play for free but you need to bring your own clubs. Alternatively, walk about 20–30 minutes south, to Blackford Hill, where you can feed the ducks at Blackford Pond, walk up the hill (or drive to the car park at the top), visit the Royal Observatory or explore the nature trails at the Hermitage of Braid.
Marchmont is the home turf of Detective Inspector John Rebus, Ian Rankin's fictional detective. The former James Gillespie's High School for Girls on Warrender Park Crescent was the alma mater of Muriel Spark, and inspired the lead character (and school) in her book, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.
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