Living in Edinburgh North

With well-regarded schools, family-friendly suburbs and a generous selection of property for sale to suit all tastes and budgets, Edinburgh North is one of the city’s most desirable areas. 

Edinburgh North traces the edges of the city centre, then stretches north to the Firth of Forth, west to Leith and then south to Corstorphine.  It covers family-friendly suburbs such as Trinity, Pilton and South Gyle. 

Lifestyle and entertainment  

Edinburgh North is home to Murrayfield, Scotland's national rugby stadium. On top of several rugby games a year, the venue also hosts some of the biggest names in music. Past acts have included the Spice Girls, Rolling Stones, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.  

Not far from BT Murrayfield you'll find Edinburgh Zoo. The zoo is home to penguins, koalas, chimpanzees, sun bears, giraffes and the giant pandas. 

Corstorphine Hill Nature Reserve offers amazing views across the city and has a great blend of forest trails and open walkways to explore.  

For culture enthusiasts, the North Edinburgh Arts Centre is located next to the Muirhouse Library. With purpose-built spaces for exhibitions and theatre productions as well as a music studio, this facility is a flexible and accommodating venue. 

On top of that, there's the outdoor attractions at the Edinburgh Waterfront and along the coastline, including Granton Beach, Silverknowes Esplanade, Gipsy Brae Recreation Ground and Silverknowes Golf Course. 

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Property types 

Edinburgh North is home to a wide selection of property types. Closer to the city centre, you'll find the traditional Georgian and Victorian flats and houses Edinburgh is known for. When you head towards the suburbs, you'll come across spacious family homes, affordable flats and quaint bungalows. 

Good schools 

Edinburgh North is home to a wide variety of highly-regarded state schools and private schools. Those living in suburbs like Barnton and Inverleith are close to high-performing state schools including the private schools of Cargilfield, Mary Erskine, St George's School for Girls, Stewart's Melville, Fettes College and The Edinburgh Academy. 

Best areas to live  

Barnton is one of the most sought-after locations in Edinburgh. The area is surrounded by fine open countryside which includes the grounds of Lauriston Castle and the shores and village of Cramond just a little further afield. The range of property for sale in Barnton is exactly what you would expect from such a prestigious area; a mix of luxurious architect-designed homes and large traditional villas alongside modern developments of villas, bungalows and flats. 

Cammo, which is on the northwest fringes of Edinburgh, benefits from a semi-rural feel thanks to the nearby Cammo Estate, which provides lovely woodland and open countryside. Properties for sale in Cammo include a wide range of detached and semi-detached family homes. Excellent local shopping is available at nearby Barnton.  

Situated just 10 minutes from Edinburgh city centre, Cramond is a popular area to live due to its wide choice of properties from large stone built detached houses to smaller detached and semi-detached bungalows.  

Highly-respected schools in the area include Cramond Primary and The Royal High School as well as from the private sector. For leisure there are prestigious golf, tennis and sailing clubs within the area plus pleasant walks along the Forth shore and the banks of the River Almond. 

Trinity, which is close to the Firth of Forth and around three miles from the city centre, offers leafy streets and pleasant green areas including Inverleith and Victoria Parks. Property for sale in Trinity includes mainly traditional flats and Victorian villas along with a number of more modern family homes. 

The prestigious district of Inverleith lies to the north of Edinburgh's New Town around 1.5 miles from Princes Street in the heart of the city centre. Property in Inverleith is a mix of traditional Victorian flats and family homes plus a number of modern developments. The area has excellent local amenities and more specialised shopping, including coffee shops, bars and restaurants, is available in the nearby cosmopolitan Stockbridge area. The area is also well-placed for access to a number of large supermarkets, Craigleith Retail Park and Ocean Terminal. 

Trinity, which is close to the Firth of Forth and around three miles from the city centre, offers leafy streets and pleasant green areas including Inverleith and Victoria Parks. Property for sale in Trinity includes mainly traditional flats and Victorian villas along with more modern family homes. 

Orchard Brae is conveniently located within walking distance of Edinburgh's West End and Princes Street and housing choices include both traditional and modern flats and family homes. An excellent bus service to the City Centre and main roads leading to Edinburgh City Bypass, the Queensferry Crossing, the A1, M8, M9 and Edinburgh International Airport make this an ideal location for commuters. 

Wester Coates is a peaceful residential area well-known in Edinburgh for its historic architecture and ambience. The Water of Leith runs nearby with beautiful riverside walks leading to the Dean Gallery, the Museum of Modern Art and Stockbridge. The varied selection of property for sale in Wester Coates includes traditional flats, villas and cottages. 

Murrayfield, a prestigious residential district approximately one and a half miles west of the city centre, is another popular place to live. Property in the area ranges from traditional Victorian villas and flats to modern family developments. There is a choice of highly-regarded schools available in the area from nursery to senior level. Leisure pursuits are well catered for with well-known golf courses, BT Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh Zoo, Murrayfield Ice Rink and numerous museums and art galleries. 

Corstorphine, a popular family-friendly suburb, is approximately four miles west of Edinburgh city centre. Property in the area ranges from Victorian family villas and traditional bungalows to up-to-the-minute modern flats. The area has a busy main street which is lined with shops and dining options. The Gyle Shopping Centre is located close by for further shops and amenities. Residents can also enjoy urban green space at the sprawling Hillwood Park, which lies behind Edinburgh Zoo. 

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Find your home in Edinburgh North 

With many years of experience in the property market, ESPC's friendly advisors will be able to offer informative suggestions regarding property in Edinburgh North. Phone us on 0131 624 8000, send an email to support@espc.com, or pop into our Property Information Centre on George Street in Edinburgh. 

ESPC magazine

This article appeared in the October 2022 issue of the ESPC magazine. Find out more about the ESPC magazine and read the latest issue online.