The Meadows nearby offers plenty of room for a picnic or sports as well as one of the oldest golf courses in the world, which is free to the public during the summer months (clubs and balls can be rented from the Golf Tavern nearby). Nearby Bruntsfield and Morningside offer a range of independent shops, cafés, restaurants and pubs. We live right above the Cameo cinema, which opened in 1914 and is one of the oldest cinemas in the country, it offers a range of films including classic and arthouse films (don't worry though - we're four floors up and can't hear them!)

We are a short walk from the Old and New Towns, including the main shopping area of Princes & George Street and the historic Royal Mile, which connects Edinburgh Castle to the Scottish Parliament. Lothian Road and the Grassmarket are also only 5 minutes away, both offering a large number of excellent pubs and restaurants.

If you fancy a nice walk, you can follow the canal until it takes you to the Water of Leith Visitor Centre. The Water of Leith is a beautiful river hidden right in the centre of Edinburgh that you can follow through the beautiful Georgian New Town to its mouth in Leith or to its source in the Pentland Hills. You could also rent a bicycle (there is a bike shop right opposite our flat) and cycle along the canal to the lovely village of Ratho, which has a great old pub.

If you like folk music, there are 3 great folk pubs a short walk away - Sandy Bell's, Captain's Bar and the Royal Oak. There are informal folk sessions there every night and they have a lovely intimate atmosphere.