Edinburgh, Midlothian
Spectacular 17th century stone cottage for up to three people. Rustic-chic and quirky - it was once a home for pigeons!
Please note that the minimum stay for this property is 2 nights
Dovecot Cottage is owned and managed by Sarah Oliver.
You can ask a question or make a booking request directly with Sarah Oliver.
Formerly home to hundreds of pigeons, this self-contained stone cottage is architecturally and historically fascinating. As you stroll down the path, through the large mature garden, dappled light under a rose-arch and a magical calmness brings a sense of anticipation. A glass door leads into an enchanting serene atmosphere. You will be intrigued to glimpse a mysterious ancient cavern beneath part of the floor.
Inside Dovecot Cottage is a fabulous marriage of sophisticated design with the unchanged characterful pink stone. Light pours through attic windows in the high eves of the sitting/dining room. Underfloor heating provides a soft warmth throughout, and there is also a cosy wood-burner facing a pull-out sofa-bed, which sleeps one. Rafters house a subtly located pull-down TV. There is a wonderful bespoke L-shaped kitchen with microwave and oven, two-ring gas hob and hidden fridge. The cedar wood counters and table were hewn from a huge tree that once grew in the large garden.
You’ll find similar craftsmanship in the bathroom - a large wet-room with two kinds of shower. Exquisitely designed, surprisingly spacious and warm underfoot, you will be tempted to linger, looking up at views of apple tree branches.
Up in the tower, a double bed, with Egyptian cotton sheets, fits snugly between smooth cedar wood and a whole wall of original nesting-boxes that are magnificently illuminated. This quiet little room looks out over the mature garden. Oozing with historical charm, it is secluded and romantic - simply a delight.
The nearby districts of Morningside and Bruntsfield are lively and fashionable with a wide selection of 40+ cool cafes, brunch bistros, and good restaurants, as well as specialist food shops and the main supermarkets. It’s difficult to believe that all this is 5 mins walk from the tranquil seclusion of the amazing Dovecot Cottage. A 15 to 20 minute scenic stroll through Bruntsfield Links and The Meadows parks is the best way to reach the heart of the historic city, where attractions include the Royal Botanical Gardens, the National Museum of Scotland, National Gallery, Holyrood Palace and Edinburgh Castle.
You will be talking about this enchanting place long after you leave, so treat yourself to a stay in the charismatic Dovecot Cottage and see Edinburgh as no one else can.
Please note that the minimum stay for this property is 2 nights
Dovecot Cottage is owned and managed by Sarah Oliver.
You can ask a question or make a booking request directly with Sarah Oliver.
Prices vary according to the time of year. January and February are the cheapest. August is the most expensive.
Requests for payment will be via PayPal.
From Previous Guests
Have you stayed here?
Leave a reviewWe’ve just come back from a lovely stay in this unique and quirky property. Historic and quaint but with a huge lovely modern bathroom. Lovely attention to detail throughout the cottage and it’s so cosy and comfortable. Location is great. You are tucked away but within easy reach of all that Edinburgh has to offer. Sarah was a very friendly and helpful host, and the guides she has put together are great. Beautiful mature garden and a little slice of paradise. Would definitely stay again.
Stayed July 2023
We were looking for a place to stay on our first visit to Scotland that was slightly different and not right in the heart of the city. What we got here was all those things and so much more. The cottage itself was spotlessly clean, very cosy and extremely quirky with its character and glass panel in the entrance hall floor showing the “ice hole” below! Sarah the property owner described this place as Rustic-Chic and that’s exactly what it is. The majority of the interior fixtures and fittings including the staircase to the upstairs bedroom being made from a cedar tree from her large garden that sadly died. That tree certainly has not been wasted! This property is in a garden that you would only usually find in the countryside but with Morningside and Bruntsfield literally 5-10 minutes walk away with a myriad of shops and places to eat before you even start in Edinburgh, we found this perfectly placed for our visit. Sarah has taken the time to put together some information on places of interest and recommendations on places to eat. With some history of the Dovecot, some books on Scotland and Edinburgh and maps. We took her advice which was helpful as there is so much choice! In our 6 night stay we took the car out only twice and that was to visit Loch Lomond and Fife areas. The rest of the time we walked to the city and surrounding areas. We would not hesitate to return here as the Dovecot was just lovely and we only managed to tick a few things off our “to do and see” list!
Stayed November 2021
We stayed at this beautiful cottage in our stay away. Sarah was very helpful and accommodating. Would highly recommend and we will definitely be back
Stayed June 2021
The Dovecot Cottage is absolutely lovely!! We had such a nice stay. Everything about the cottage was picturesque. The gardens that surround it are beautiful and the interior is so lovely! The bathroom is large, the floors are heated and every window frames a picture perfect view. Sarah was so kind and responsive to our enquiries. We loved our stay and would recommend it to anyone staying in this area.
Stayed December 2020
Dovecot Cottage is a delight, an oasis of calm in the beautiful city of Edinburgh. No matter how much we chose to do in Edinburgh, we could retreat to this wonderfully cozy, unique cottage set in the beautiful garden of an elegant house. All the original features have been wonderfully incorporated into the design, I loved the chequerboard wall. All decor very sympathetic to the building and setting, while managing to have up to date facilities, eg great shower! The cottage was spotlessly clean, we had all we could want. So much available locally in easy reach. Public transport is easily reached. Sarah has extremely comprehensive information, including the history of the cottage , well presented on the nicely designed table. All photos are a truthful representation of the property. Sarah Oliver is warm, welcoming, and helpful while not being intrusive. We would highly recommend Dovecot Cottage.
Stayed November 2019
I really cannot recommend Dovecot Cottage enough. Even from enquiring, Sarah was ready to help and there to answer any questions that we had. Upon arriving, she gave us a warm welcome and showed us around the cottage which is set in a beautiful secluded garden within a 20 minute walk of the city centre. The cottage included the basic home comforts such as tea and coffee but also some which we were not expecting such as shortbread and Scottish oats. The cottage itself also had a great deal of history of which Sarah had made an effort to prepare information cards which my partner and I found very interesting. I would recommend this for any occasion as I have never stayed somewhere so welcoming and comfortable. I would definitely return!
Stayed November 2018
You may also like
Dovecot Cottage features in these posts
