Observatory House Apartment is a compact self-catering apartment extending over the lower ground floor of Observatory House, Edinburgh’s unique hilltop retreat. Perched above the city centre, it provides a quiet haven within walking distance of the bright lights, but nestled high above them amongst the crags and wildlife of Calton Hill.
The House has a rich history, with the oldest tower section dating back to 1776 and the first attempt to build an astronomical observatory for Edinburgh. Recently Collective embarked on an ambitious project to restore the interior and transform it with a sophisticated and contemporary renovation mixing warm, natural materials and colours with a suite of new feature art works specially commissioned from artists close to our heart.
With a fully-equipped kitchenette, Observatory Apartment provides a perfect self-contained base for two guests to explore the city from. Enjoy coffee on the terrace looking out over the nearby National Monument, and watch the sunset over the city from your bed in the Chartmaker’s room.
Just a short walk away from the front door guests will find our acclaimed restaurant partner, Cafe Calton. Eat out with the best view in Edinburgh, or let the Lookout come to you with one of their special in-house dining packages.
The Space:
Observatory Apartment is conveniently contained on one floor, with spectacular views from the living and bedroom out across Edinburgh’s old and new towns. Please note that the apartment is a lower ground floor property with a reduced ceiling height of 2 metres.
Guest Access:
A member of our team will welcome you to the property, give you a tour, and advise you on how to gain keyless access to the property.
Observatory Apartment is conveniently contained on one floor, with spectacular views from the living and bedroom out across Edinburgh’s old and new towns. Please note that the apartment is a lower ground floor property with a reduced ceiling height of 2 metres.
Living Room and Kitchenette
The Apartments living room features a comfortable sofa, great for relaxing after a long day exploring the sights of Edinburgh, a smart TV and a dining table for four. The unique ‘Starman’ wallpaper in this room was designed by local artist Rabiya Choudhry. Next to the living room, there is a kitchenette which features an electric hob and oven.
Bedrooms and Bathrooms
The Chartmaker’s Room hosts a super king-sized bed and boasts west-facing views across the city. The bathroom, featuring a freestanding Lusso bath and separate shower, is located next door in what was once a courtyard and coal shed. The bathroom provides you a sanctuary of relaxation and recuperation in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the city.
Outdoor Area
A small east-facing terrace with outdoor seating for four is located to the east of the Apartment.
Interaction with Guests:
This home is managed on behalf of Collective by Property Manager, which offers a wide selection of top-quality properties across Europe.Accessibility
Observatory Apartment was built over 200 years ago and although the City Observatory site itself is wheelchair accessible, unfortunately the Apartment is not due to steps and staircases which cannot be ramped.
The Apartment is located on the summit of Calton Hill (105m above sea level). Drop-off by car or taxi is permitted via the Calton Hill access road; however, due to its unique location there is no resident parking on the Hill for House/apartment guests.
Laundry and Extra Appliances:
The Apartment has an ironing board and iron but please note there is no washing machine in the Apartment.
Pets
We regret that pets are not permitted in Observatory Apartment.
About the host
Collective is a charity with a mission to bring people together around art. From our home on Calton Hill we support artists in presenting their new work to a wide audience. We work with local children and young people to provide opportunities for play and creativity at Collective.
Observatory House is the oldest building on our site and part of the historic observatory which Collective redeveloped as a centre for contemporary art in 2018. All proceeds from the House support Collective’s charitable mission and work.
The Neighborhood:
Attractions within walking distance of the Apartment include the National Gallery, City Art Centre, National Museum, Castle and many more. We’d also love to share our knowledge of the less-hyped Edinburgh too, from the vibrant contemporary art galleries such as Talbot Rice Gallery and Dovecot, to alternative ways to understand the city like Black History walking tours and smaller, independent museums.
Local Restaurants
Just a short walk away from the front door guests will find our acclaimed restaurant partner, The Lookout by Gardener’s Cottage. Eat out with the best view in Edinburgh, or let the Lookout come to you with one of their special in-house dining packages.
Edinburgh city centre also boasts a wonderful array of restaurants and food options. For more of a local feel, Leith, Easter Road and Abbeyhill are just to the north and east of Calton Hill and have many small restaurants, bars, and coffee shops on offer. If you’d like to stay in and enjoy the House, small independent food shops and mini-markets are close by, or online deliveries can drop food to you close to the House.
Getting Around:
The Apartment can be reached in a number of ways, but please bear in mind that its unique location on the summit of the Hill does present some access challenges.
On foot
Steps lead up the Hill from Waterloo Place and Royal Terrace. You will see Observatory Apartment above you on the left as you reach the top of the steps. The entrance gate (signed Collective) is to the right, at the top of a final flight of steps.
By bus
Regular buses stop on Waterloo Place and Royal Terrace – visit Lothian Buses or download their app to plan your journey.
By train
Waverley station is a ten-minute walk away on foot. Please note there are steep steps on this route (we highly recommend getting a taxi if you have luggage) – visit National Rail Enquiries to plan your journey.
By car
Due to its unique location, there is no parking available directly outside the Apartment; however, luggage drop-off by car and food van deliveries are permitted via the Calton Hill access road. This road terminates approximately 100m from the House. The nearest Pay & Display car parking is on Regent Road or the Q-Park Omni. Observatory House guests receive a 50% discount on daily parking (£12 per day including discount).
By taxi
Taxi drop-off and pick-up are encouraged via the Calton Hill access road, which terminates approximately 100m from the House.
Other Things to Note:
∗Please note the property is fitted with a noise-detection device.
∗Please note that Property Manager is not responsible or liable for any lost, misplaced or stolen items during guest stays.
∗Please note that sofa bed linens are not included in the nightly rate. If you would like to use the sofa bed, please let us know, and the additional fee is £20 for linens.
*Please note this property is located at the top of Calton Hill, a popular tourist destination, and the hill can become quite busy during the day.
⚡ In light of the current situation, we kindly ask our guests to consume electricity and gas mindfully. Please note we will add an additional charge for excessive energy usage.
∗Please note that а refundable damage deposit of £250 is mandatory and should be paid via card and before check-in. We inspect the property after you check out; if there is no damage, we refund the deposit within 2 days via bank transfer.
