iEdinburgh – new iPhone App from Edinburgh Spotlight

Great excitement this week as our friends at Edinburgh Spotlight launched their very own free iPhone app all about Edinburgh: iEdinburgh

If you’re coming to Edinburgh, or looking for reviews before you try something new, then it’s well worth checking out whether the good folks from Edinburgh Spotlight have tried it already.

We’re very impressed with the way the Edinburgh Spotlight site is growing and adding more information and reviews every day, and of course we were honoured to be the only self-catering holiday cottage to be featured on their site – for now at least. Read the review.

Is swing your thing? A novel way to promote Edinburgh!

Always looking for novel ways to talk about how great it would be to spend a holiday in Edinburgh, I was just checking our own video on YouTube this morning when a ’suggestion’ popped up – intrigued, I watched the some of the highlights you could expect to see on a trip to Edinburgh, and all brought together with a catchy tune extolling the virtues of this Fascinating City.

Met someone special at the Christmas Party?

Heart shaped meringues for Valentine's Day

If you’ve met that special someone at the Christmas Party this year, and you are looking to whisk them away for a romantic Valentine’s Weekend Break, then why not think about coming to Edinburgh and basing your stay at Craigwell Cottage?

Set the scene as Alexander McCall Smith’s character Hugh does by packing a little picnic hamper and catching a train to Scotland – but in your case, head for Edinburgh Waverley Station. It’s only a short stroll from there to your romantic weekend hideaway.

Surprise your loved one by nipping out to the Manna House for breakfast supplies – they have delicious cakes and pastries to tempt you – or start your day with a stroll on the romantic Royal Mile – choosing to stop at one of the lovely cafes which abound there to plan your day.

Remember, it’s February, and it’s Scotland, so wrap up warm and find some magical indoor activities to relax and entertain. A short walk to Holyrood Palace to hear tales of Mary Queen of Scots, or The Queen’s Gallery for their current exhibition would be lovely ways to spend a morning. Or, heading towards The Mound you might be drawn in to see what is on show at the Fruitmarket Gallery before a visit to The National Gallery Complex for the Paul Sandby Exhibition or their “Loves Me, Loves Me Not” tour. The Royal Scottish Academy is linked through the underground entrance way to The National Gallery of Scotland, so if it suits your schedule, then lunch at The Scottish Cafe between the two galleries would allow you to recharge and think about somewhere to head for the afternoon. If it’s too cold for Edinburgh Castle, then the Camera Obscura will provide a different view of Edinburgh and some fun reasons to shriek and cuddle together (see the scary holograms!).

And if Upper West Side Soweto Music is your thing…can you believe that Vampire Weekend are playing at the Cameo on 14 February – check here for tickets.

If all the romance of Edinburgh is working and you’re ready to look for an engagement ring, then Rose Street jewellery shopping might be on the cards? John Whyte was the place where we found a ring (oh, so many moons ago!) – our marriage is still going strong after all these years, and so is the shop where we found our ring.

And if you’re already prepared with the ring for that someone special in your life, then a stroll in Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Garden might just provide the perfect spot to ‘pop the question’.

No Valentine’s Weekend break in Edinburgh would be complete without a romantic dinner for two somewhere special, and if you book a stay at Craigwell Cottage, then we’d be happy to recommend restaurants we’ve enjoyed, or take a look at Edinburgh Spotlight where the reviews are always fresh and enticing.

Is this enough to tempt you to whisk your loved one to Edinburgh for Valentine’s Weekend? Or do you have other suggestions for activities and ‘must sees’ in Edinburgh for a weekend – we’d love to hear from you.

Video of Craigwell Cottage

So that you may have an impression of the interiors of Craigwell Cottage and the views from the cottage, we’ve made a short video for you

No need to fly to Edinburgh!

If you’re staying at Craigwell Cottage, there really is no need to fly to Edinburgh – we provide a private parking space right next to the cottage in the courtyard of the old brewery where Craigwell Cottage is situated. Since we’re so close to Waverley Station, there’s really no need to bring a car either unless you’re planning on filling your boot with shopping. The Times Online article yesterday had some good tips if you’re planning a shopping trip to Edinburgh.

Looking over the Dean Bridge, Edinburgh

Looking over the Dean Bridge, Edinburgh, originally uploaded by 2edinburgh.

The weather this last week in Edinburgh has encouraged a lot of walking round the city centre for me. On Wednesday I was meeting a colleague for lunch, and happened to walk home via the Dean Bridge, where the glorious colours on either side of the Water of Leith caught my eye.

Elfin boots, sandals and slippers

Elfin boots, sandals and slippers, originally uploaded by 2edinburgh.

Isabell Buenz – Elfin boots, sandals and slippers – Made from shavings from the Wych Elm. Can be viewed at the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh – somewhere you may want to visit when staying at Craigwell Cottage

Royal Botanic Gardens – Autumn Walk 2009

If you prefer to look at high quality images of a Walk Round the Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh, then follow the link below:

Autumn Colours at Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh

A walk round the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh

If you’re staying at Craigwell Cottage you can catch the 36 Bus from outside the Scottish Parliament to Canonmills, and a short walk will take you to the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh.

Looking for Festival Accommodation in Edinburgh – with Parking?

It’s never too early to book your accommodation if you want somewhere in the City Centre to rest up between all the Fringe Festival events you’re going to.  There’s so much on when there are so many Festivals taking place all at once in Edinburgh.  We’ve had our first enquiry for weeks next August 2010, so don’t leave it too long!  Www.2edinburgh.co.uk has full details of our Festival Accommodation.