Edinburgh's New Town, on your doorstep
Forth Street is a quiet Georgian street at the east end of the New Town, between St James Quarter and Broughton Street. It's the quickest base for the castle, the galleries and the shops, and a short walk from the trains and the airport tram.
The New Town is the grid of wide Georgian streets, crescents and private gardens laid out north of Princes Street from the late 1700s. Together with the Old Town across the valley it forms the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh World Heritage Site, and it is still one of the most handsome places in Europe to simply walk around.
For a short stay it is hard to beat. Princes Street, George Street and the St James Quarter cover most of your shopping and eating, the Royal Mile and the castle are a ten to fifteen minute walk over the bridges, and Calton Hill gives you the classic view over the city in a short climb from the east end.
Maitland Rooms sits on the east side, around St Andrew Square, Picardy Place and Broughton Street, which is especially handy if you arrive by train or bus. Edinburgh Waverley and the bus station are a few minutes away on foot, the airport tram stops at St Andrew Square and Picardy Place, and Broughton Street has some of the city's best small cafés, bakeries and bars. It is lively in the day and evening, but Forth Street itself is residential and quiet at night.
If stairs are a problem for you, tell us when you book and we'll suggest the best room.
A few favourites
- Walk up Calton Hill at sunset, then down Broughton Street for dinner.
- Spend a morning in the Scottish National Gallery and the Portrait Gallery (both free).
- Cross to the Old Town by North Bridge or the Mound for the Royal Mile and the castle.
- Follow the Water of Leith walkway from Stockbridge to Dean Village.
- See a show at the Edinburgh Playhouse, five minutes up the road.
Trains, trams and buses
- From the airport, take the tram to St Andrew Square or Picardy Place (about 30 minutes), then walk 3 to 5 minutes to Forth Street.
- From Edinburgh Waverley, leave by the Princes Street exit and walk east past the Balmoral, then up to St James Quarter: about 8 minutes.
- From the bus station (Airlink and coaches), Forth Street is about 4 minutes' walk.
- Parking is on-street and paid, and spaces are scarce. The St James Quarter car park is the closest; ask us before you arrive.
Stay at Maitland Rooms
Ten rooms on Forth Street, from £70 a night. Book direct, no fees.