TelegraphExpert Rating
Style / Character
TelegraphExpert Review
A heavenly 18th-century house hidden on Calton Hill with a courtyard garden to the front, a pretty and surprisingly large walled garden to the rear, a striking separate Belvedere studio and a self-contained annexe. It offers unusually flexible accommodation, tremendous views and an enviable city-centre location.
By Linda Macdonald, Destination expert Follow
You can just glimpse the warm apricot-coloured walls of the house behind an ornate, private entry gate at the end of a picturesque Georgian terrace on the slopes of Calton Hill – one of Edinburgh's most notable landmarks. This exceptional house is accessible only by foot and utterly, delightfully private, yet Princes Street is five minutes' walk away with a great choice of restaurants (including one with a Michelin star and another on Calton Hill itself), shops, theatre and cinemas even closer. Calton Hill offers great views over the city and this house enjoys many of the best of them.
In the 19th century this exceptional house was the studio of Robert Adamson, who, along with David Octavius Hill, is credited with establishing photography as an art form; their work can be seen in the National Portrait Gallery on Queen Street. The clear light and dramatic outlook that drew Adamson to the house are still among its most attractive features. It has been sensitively redesigned, redecorated and refurnished it to a very high standard – beautifully appointed and entirely comfortable while delightfully reflecting its notable history.
Rock House itself sleeps eight, the Terrace Apartment sleeps four and the Photographer's Studio sleeps two. All are well equipped and completely self-contained with access to a garden or terrace area, but can also be let together. Useful information is provided about local services for everything from deliveries of gourmet meals, flowers and wine, to personal shopping and tours.
Tongue and groove lining and panelling, log fires, iron bedsteads, carefully preserved Delft fireplace tiles, antique glass windowpanes and William Morris wallpapers all sit happily alongside smart new bathrooms and the latest appliances and devices. The dine-in kitchen in the main house with its traditional range cooker is warmly inviting, while the box bed and kitchen/living-room design of the charming Photographer's Studio belvedere is sheer design genius.
The property is self-catering.
Rock House from £250 in low season; and from £650 in high. Studio (sleeps two), from £70 in low season; and from £120 in high. Self-catering, breakfast not included. Free Wi-Fi.
Not suitable for guests using wheelchairs or those with limited mobility.
Yes; the garden is a great asset, although the ornamental pond on the terrace may render it unsuitable for younger children.
28 Calton Hill, Edinburgh EH7 5AA, Scotland.
0131 558 1108 rockhouse-edinburgh.com