Swanston Farm Holiday Cottages Edinburgh

06/03/2024

A family getaway.
Our Cottage Number 9 is perfect for families and not only has a master bedroom with a King size bed, but also has a children's bedroom with bunk beds - perfect for dens, arguing over who gets the top bunk and sibling giggles at bed time!

To find out more about our cottages including prides, visit our website: https://swanston.co.uk/holiday-cottages/

04/03/2024

Another great photo, taken in November last year after a light dusting of snow. This is going through the archway to the cottages. The cottages were originally part of the old farm buildings for housing the work-horses, their harnesses and carts that were used to work the land in the late 1800's and early 1900's. They were beautifully renovated in 2001 to create 6 self-catering holiday cottages. The stunning wooden ceiling of that archway is Cedar and was put in during the renovations.

01/03/2024

Lovely photo taken back in November after we'd had a bit of snow here at Swanston.

29/10/2023

Cottage 5 'Caerketton' is one of two identical cottages, giving ample space for couples or families.

27/10/2023

The master bedroom in Cottage 7 'Stotfold' with Super-King sized bed.

Cottage 7 is our gorgeous one-bedroom cosy cottage, perfect for that romantic getaway:

Ground Floor:

– Open-plan kitchen and living room with dining table and chairs, washing machine, microwave, electric oven and electric hob, cupboard space for groceries, fridge-freezer, dishwasher, toaster, kettle). A starter-pack of dishwasher tablets, washing-up liquid, kitchen sponge and a tea-towel are supplied on Day 1 of your stay. A back door leads from the kitchen directly in to the garden and patio area and a garden gate in to the Brasserie car park.

– The living room area is bright and airy and includes a double sofa bed and a window looking out to the enclosed garden. The living room is separated from the kitchen area by a workstation and shelving unit meaning the Chef doesn’t have to be cut-off from the rest of the party!

– Stairs leading up to the bedroom and bathroom on the first floor.

First Floor:

– 1 master bedroom with ample storage windows overlooking both the rear garden and the front of the property, both with privacy net curtains.

– Family bathroom (with a bath, shower over, wash hand basin, toilet and a heated towel rail).

Parking:

Free parking for one car is directly to the front of the property. Extra (free) parking is also available to the rear of the garden, in the spare car park area.

25/10/2023

The front door to Cottage 9 'Shearie Knowe', a fabulous 2-bedroom cottage perfect for families with small children.

Read more about our cottages here, including the prices: https://swanston.co.uk/holiday-cottages/

23/10/2023

🎄CHRISTMAS FAIR🎅
If you're staying with us from 6th - 10th November, come along to Swanston Brasserie for the Marie Curie Hospice, Edinburgh Christmas Event.
Their stalls will be here from 10am to 2pm daily, with a wonderful range of Christmas Cards, Gifts and Crafts available, as well as a different Guest Craft Stall every day!

Marie Curie is the UK’s leading end of life charity, providing frontline nursing and hospice care, a free support line and a wealth of information and support on all aspects of dying, death and bereavement. Read more about the local hospice here: https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/help/hospice-care/edinburgh

21/10/2023

Don't forget to book your place at our Swanston Brasserie Burns Night for 25th January 2024.

We have had George Duff and his band of musicians perform before and we were absolutely packed to the rafters, so book now to avoid disappointment!

19/10/2023

"As from the house your mother sees
You playing round the garden trees,
So you may see, if you will look
Through the windows of this book,
Another child, far, far away,
And in another garden, play.
But do not think you can at all,
By knocking on the window, call
That child to hear you. He intent
Is all on his play-business bent.
He does not hear; he will not look,
Nor yet be lured out of this book.
For, long ago, the truth to say,
He has grown up and gone away,
And it is but a child of air
That lingers in the garden there."

'To Any Reader' by Robert Louis Stevenson.

Robert Louis Stevenson spent his late teens to early twenties here at Swanston Farm during the Summer months and would enjoy the fresh air, the solitude and the views of Edinburgh's countryside.

14/10/2023

The twin room in Cottage 8 'Todhole'

Cottage 8 is a gorgeous two-bedroom cosy cottage, perfect for families with children and comprises:

Ground Floor:

– Kitchen with family dining table and chairs, washing machine, microwave, electric oven and electric hob, cupboard space for groceries, fridge-freezer, dishwasher, toaster, kettle). A starter-pack of dishwasher tablets, washing-up liquid, kitchen sponge and a tea-towel are supplied on Day 1 of your stay. A back door leads from the kitchen directly in to the garden patio area and a garden gate in to another rear car park.

– The living room leads from the kitchen and is bright and airy and includes a sofa bed and a TV with free Netflix.

– Stairs leading up to the bedroom and bathroom on the first floor from the front door.

– Downstairs toilet with small wash hand basin under the stairs.

First Floor:

– 1 big, bright double bedroom with a Super-Kingsize bed, a window to the front of the property and ample storage.

– 1 twin bedroom with skylight and a wardrobe, directly opposite the master bedroom and right next to the family bathroom.

– Family bathroom (with a bath, shower over, wash hand basin, toilet and a heated towel rail).

Parking:

Free parking for one car is directly to the front of the property. Extra (free) parking is also available to the rear of the garden, in the spare car park area. Free WIFI, bed linen, towels, heating and electricity are all included with this cottage.

12/10/2023

If you're staying with us in Edinburgh and want to experience a personal guided tour, then you can't get much better than Wee Walking Tours who offer fully customised and private walking tours with Sami, your tour guide, who is often accompanied by Sawyer, his Golden Retriever tour guide!

Hear stories about history, myths, legends, learn about some iconic landmarks such as St Giles' Cathedral and Tron Kirk and touch on the lives of residents who once walked the cobblestones - from fishmongers to queens, and from monks to other enlightened figures.

All walking tours start at the top of the Royal Mile (Castlehill) at the base of Edinburgh Castle next to the Witches Well just past the entrance to the Tartan Mill. This is an easy busy ride from our cottages.

Pop along to their website here for more information or to book your tour:

Historical and guided Edinburgh walking tours with our Golden Retriever tour guide, Sawyer. Wee Walking Tours is a family-operated business that provides memorable experiences at affordable prices. Our tours provide fun surprises for fans of Harry Potter, Outlander, Avengers, and more.

10/10/2023

All of our holiday cottages have a KINGSIZE bed in the master bedroom, so you can get a great night's sleep, have ALL the kids in the bed or simply spend the morning in bed with breakfast and the papers. 💛

08/10/2023

Escape in to Edinburgh’s Pentland Hills during your stay with us and enjoy the fresh air, views and wildlife. You might even spot our Highland Coos whilst you’re up there!

06/10/2023

Our lovely AWARD-WINNING restaurant, Swanston Brasserie!

All of our holiday cottage guests benefit from a discount when dining here - just show your cottage key to your server.

For all things Swanston Farm-related, follow our Swanston Brasserie page. You can also follow us on Instagram at

04/10/2023

Our beautiful Holiday Cottages here at Swanston Farm. 💚

03/10/2023

WONDERFUL news! 💚 Our farm restaurant has won another Tripadvisor Award!

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=754561336681856&id=100063839896248

**WE'VE DONE IT AGAIN!**
We are absolutely delighted to announce that Swanston Brasserie has won a 2023 Travellers' Choice Award with Tripadvisor! This means we are in the top 10% of restaurants worldwide!

We have so many to thank who have helped us on our journey;

- Our Staff, who bring their very best to work every single day - we all work hard, laugh hard (and sometimes cry hard) together. You are all wonderful human beings who each bring your own Special Something to our Brasserie Team.

- All of our customers, visitors, regulars, just-passing-by-ers, groups, tours, weddings, walkers, mamas and papas, squidges and wrigglers - we love welcoming you all here and doing our absolute very best to make your day. We love meeting you and hearing your stories, seeing you enjoy our food and relax at your tables and we are honoured that you have chosen Swanston Brasserie.

- All those visitors who have taken the time to pop a review on TripAdvisor, telling us how we're doing - we read and reply to every single one. It's your reviews that have placed Swanston Brasserie in the top 10% of restaurants worldwide.

Of course we are not perfect, but we are always trying to be as near as, and this award reminds us that we are going in the right direction. 💚

02/10/2023

Catch the early-bird tickets for this year's stunning Castle of Light: Magic & Mystery, running on 24 & 25 November, 1-3, 8-10, 15-17, 21-23 & 27-30 December and 2 & 3 January - head here to get yours now: https://www.edinburghcastle.scot/whats-on/castle-of-light

01/10/2023

Tickets are now on sale for our Swanston Brasserie Burns Night, taking place on Thursday 25th January 2024!

Join us for a special evening of Burns Night themes, food and traditional Scottish Folk music from award-winning musician and composer, George Duff 'The Collier Laddie' and band.

Tickets are £30 per person, which includes a 3-course meal, tea and coffee and live music. Tickets can be purchased via email only at: [email protected]. All tickets are subject to a £10 non-refundable deposit.

The evening starts at 6.30pm with dinner served at 7pm. Group bookings can be booked (maximum 10 people per table). The evening finishes at midnight.

You are welcome to bring an instrument on the night - the band welcomes folk to join in!

Book now to avoid disappointment - there are limited spaces and these tickets will go extremely quickly!

30/09/2023

If you love history and a ghost story thrown-in for good measure, book yourself on to one of the superb Mercat Tours walks or tours whilst you're staying with us in Edinburgh.

Mercat Tours - Edinburgh's Award-Winning Storytellers since 1985 - is a family business, founded by a history teacher in 1985! Their tours are great fun and highly informative; each guide brings their own energy to the stories of Edinburgh's past, whether they’re telling you about Adam Smith, the father of economics on an Edinburgh history tour – or the city’s rioters, rebels, torturers and murderers on our underground ghost tours.

You can hop on to the Number 27 bus from the end of the road here at Swanston and hop off at George IV Bridge, where it's just a 5 minute walk to their meeting hub at the Mercat Cross on Edinburgh's famous Royal Mile.

Join the award-winning guides of Mercat Tours for a history walk or ghost tour - the perfect introduction to Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital city.

28/09/2023

An absolute MUST if you're staying in Edinburgh this November, the 'Edinburgh Gang Show' is running from Tuesday 14th to Saturday 18th November 2023 at The Festival Theatre, Edinburgh!

The Edinburgh Gang Show is well and truly back and ready for another brilliant week of making memories and bringing joy to Edinburgh.

Over 250 young people from South East Scotland Scouts and Girlguiding Edinburgh will light up the Festival Theatre with energetic, hilarious and moving performances!

An eclectic programme of show-stopping musical items, comedy, drama and dance awaits you.

After an amazing return last year, the Edinburgh Gang Show is well and truly back and ready for another brilliant week of making memories and bringing joy to Edinburgh.

26/09/2023

There's still time to visit the 'Beyond the Black Dress' exhibition at the National Museums Scotland which runs until 29th October 2023.

From design classics to cutting-edge catwalk creations, Beyond the Little Black Dress deconstructs this iconic garment and examines the radical power of the colour black in fashion.

The National Museum of Scotland is an easy 20-25 minute bus ride from our holiday cottages which takes you right in to Edinburgh City Centre.

Bringing together design classics to cutting-edge catwalk creations, this exhibition will deconstruct the little black dress, examining the radical power of the colour black in fashion.

24/09/2023

Fancy a Country Night in Nashville?...

If you're staying with us on Sunday 21st January 2024, why not book tickets to visit the Edinburgh Playhouse for a night of live music with 'A Country Night in Nashville'
and prepare to be transported on a musical journey through the history of Country, featuring songs from its biggest stars both past and present. Hits from Johnny Cash to Alan Jackson, Dolly to The Chicks, Willie Nelson to Kacey Musgraves, are showcased by the amazing Dominic Halpin and the Hurricanes.

Follow the link to take you along to ticket sales.

Direct from The Royal Albert Hall, A Country Night In Nashville recreates the scene of a buzzing h***y tonk in downtown Nashville, perfectly capturing the energy and atmosphere of an evening in the home of country music.

22/09/2023

The open plan living room with dining area in Cottage 9. The galley kitchen is also connected to this and leads round to the back door, with access in to the back garden.

The sofa can also double-up as a sofa-bed.

20/09/2023

Staying with us in January and love a Ballet? Why not book tickets for Swan Lake; the beautiful compelling tale of tragic romance. The Edinburgh Playhouse is a fantastic venue and only half an hour by bus or 20 minutes by taxi from our holiday cottages.

The greatest romantic ballet of all time is brought to life by Tchaikovsky’s haunting and unforgettable score.

18/09/2023

The archway from our holiday cottages courtyard. This looks East and we love watching the little Rowan tree changing through the seasons.

15/09/2023

The lovely master bedroom in Cottage 9. This is a fabulous two-bedroom cosy cottage, perfect for families with children and consists of:

Ground Floor:

– Open-plan kitchen and living room with family dining table and chairs, washing machine, microwave, electric oven and electric hob, cupboard space for groceries, fridge-freezer, dishwasher, toaster, kettle). A starter-pack of dishwasher tablets, washing-up liquid, kitchen sponge and a tea-towel are supplied on Day 1 of your stay. A back door leads from the kitchen directly in to the garden patio area and a garden gate in to another rear car park.

– The living room area is bright and airy and includes a double sofa bed.

– Stairs leading up to the bedroom and bathroom on the first floor.

– Downstairs toilet with small wash hand basin under the stairs.

First Floor:

– 1 bright double bedroom with super-kingsize bed, a window to the front of the property and ample storage.

– 1 bunkbed bedroom with window and a wardrobe, directly opposite the master bedroom and right next to the family bathroom.

– Family bathroom (with a bath, shower over, wash hand basin, toilet and a heated towel rail).

Parking:

Free parking for one car is directly to the front of the property. Extra (free) parking is also available to the rear of the garden, in the spare car park area.

For further information including prices, take a look at our website here: https://swanston.co.uk/holiday-cottages/

13/09/2023

A fascinating find in one of our fields recently - the base of a very, very old iron! you can just about make out where the hand would have been attached.

It was found a fare distance away from any buildings, however given how rusted it is, it is hard to date it. Any iron historians out there?!

11/09/2023

Swanston Farm has a fascinating history.
Swanston was first recorded in AD1214 when it formed part of the Barony of Redhall. The name, however derives from the Norse/Anglican for ‘Sveinn’s Farm’ indicating a possible earlier 9th-11th Century foundation for the farming estate. The historic medieval estate of Swanston stretched from Oxgangs Road to the Pentland Hills and from Bowbridge to the Long Plantation at Dreghorn.

Swanston is also mentioned in historical documents during the 14th Century in the charters granted during the reign of David II – (Robert the Bruce’s only surviving son).

It formed part of the Temple lands of the Knights of St. John and Swanston Farm was also once a monk’s grange. In a Charter by James VI, in which all the Templar’s possessions in Scotland were listed, a reference to ‘terras templaris de Swaistoun possess’ is included.

Images:
1. King David II
2. Kings James VI of Scotland

09/09/2023

If you're staying with us you might spot some of our farm animals around and about. We have 20 goats which are used for conservational grazing and this one here is 'Cheeky', one of the male bagot goats who likes nothing more than raiding our pockets for anything edible and is always first at the gate!

07/09/2023

The twin room in Cottage 5. Perfect for family stays and plenty of room to keep those little Squidges happy, cosy and comfortable (and that cupboard is a great hidey-space for rainy day games!).