Observatory House + Apartment

Observatory House is Edinburgh’s unique hilltop retreat. Overlooking the city centre, with extraordinary views on all sides, it provides a quiet haven within walking distance of the bright lights, but nestled high above them amongst the crags and wildlife of Calton Hill.

The House has a rich history, with the oldest tower section dating back to 1776 and the first attempt to build an astronomical observatory for Edinburgh. Recently Collective embarked on an ambitious project to restore the interior and transform it with a sophisticated and contemporary renovation mixing warm, natural materials and colours with a suite of new feature art works specially commissioned from artists close to our heart.

With a fully-equipped kitchen and dining room, Observatory House provides a perfect self-contained base from which a larger party or family can explore the city. Renting the lower ground floor apartment with connecting doorway along with the House increases the capacity to 8 guests.

Enjoy breakfast looking out to the nearby National Monument, and watch the sun set over the city from your four-poster bed in the Astronomer’s Suite.

Observatory Apartment (lower ground floor)

Observatory House + Apartment

Sleeps 8 (3x double beds, 1x double sofa bed)

Astronomer’s Suite

The master bedroom of Observatory House, with a super king-sized four-poster bed and connected bathroom with freestanding bath and walk-in shower. The suite is in the Gothic Tower, the oldest part of the House, with unrivalled views across the city on all sides. This suite features an original light and fabric installation by artist Rachel Adams.

Observer’s Room

The Observer’s Room is a spacious second bedroom with a super king-sized bed that can be split into a pair of twin beds if required. A shower room is located next door on the landing.

Chartmaker’s Room

The Chartmaker’s Room is the main bedroom on the lower ground floor, with a super king-sized bed that can be split into a pair of twin beds if required. The bathroom, featuring a freestanding bath, is located next door in what was once a courtyard and coal shed.

The Snug

The Snug is a small additional room in the lower ground floor apartment which can be used as a quiet retreat or luggage storeroom.

Kitchen

The fully-equipped kitchen on the eastern side of Observatory House catches the morning light and has a stunning outlook across Calton Hill to the National Monument. Drawing on the Monument for inspiration, artist Thomas Aitchison was commissioned to produce a new fitted kitchen which reflects its iconic silhouette.

Kitchenette

The lower ground floor features a second, smaller, kitchenette which is also fully-equipped and may be useful for larger parties staying in the house.

Living Room

The main ground floor living room is part of the extension of the house instigated by Royal Astronomer Charles Piazzi Smythe in the 1880s. The room features outstanding views across the city to the west and to the observatory and National Monument to the east.

Garden/Terrace

A small east-facing garden with outdoor seating for four is located to the east of the house above a small outdoor terrace area with additional seating for 4-6.

Living Room 2/Bedroom 4

A second living room is located on the lower ground floor in the Gothic Tower and is useful for larger parties. On the walls you will find a specially-commissioned original wallpaper designed by Edinburgh-based artist Rabiya Choudhry. This room contains a pull-out sofa bed sleeping two, which increases the capacity of the house to 8 guests along with a second dining table seating 4.

Dining Room

The dining room of Observatory House is located in the Gothic Tower, the oldest part of the house, with spectacular views across the city on all sides. This room features a large dining table which seats 8 and specially-commissioned wall paintings by artist Christian Newby.

Access

Observatory House was built over 200 years ago and although the City Observatory site itself is wheelchair accessible, unfortunately the House/apartments are not due to steps and staircases which cannot be ramped.

The House is located on the summit of Calton Hill (105m above sea level). Drop-off by car or taxi is permitted via the Calton Hill access road; however, due to its unique location there is no resident parking on the Hill for House/apartment guests.

The House has steps and staircases to reach all rooms. The Apartment is self-contained on one floor without stairs, however a small flight of stairs is used to reach the apartment.