The Craigie Hotel

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The Craigie Hotel: A Charming Country Retreat Near Edinburgh

For travelers looking to explore Edinburgh while enjoying a quieter setting away from the busy city center, The Craigie Hotel offers an appealing combination of historic character, comfortable accommodation, good food, and easy access to the Scottish countryside. Located in Penicuik, just south of Edinburgh and at the foot of the Pentland Hills, this boutique-style hotel provides a peaceful base for discovering both the capital and the surrounding attractions.

The property is housed in an impressive historic building originally constructed in 1885. Designed by architect George Washington Browne for zoologist James Cossar Ewart, the house has an interesting connection to local history. Ewart became known for his pioneering genetic research involving zebras, and references to this unusual chapter of the building's past can still be found around the hotel. After serving as a private residence, the property eventually became a hotel and was comprehensively refurbished before reopening in 2017.

A Peaceful Location Close to Edinburgh

One of the major attractions of The Craigie Hotel is its location. The property stands on the edge of Penicuik, a town surrounded by countryside, while Edinburgh is approximately seven miles away. The hotel describes the journey to central Edinburgh as around 20 minutes, although actual travel time can naturally vary depending on traffic.

This setting gives guests the opportunity to combine two different types of holiday. During the day, visitors can travel into Edinburgh to explore its historic streets, museums, galleries, shops, and famous landmarks. Later, they can return to the more relaxed atmosphere of Penicuik.

The hotel is also conveniently positioned near Edinburgh's City Bypass, making it useful for travelers arriving by car. Free secure parking is available on the property, which can be particularly valuable for visitors planning road trips around Midlothian and the wider Scottish Borders.

A Historic House with Contemporary Comfort

The Craigie Hotel successfully combines the atmosphere of an old country house with the practical comforts expected from modern accommodation. Its 16 bedrooms provide a relatively intimate alternative to large city-center hotels. The hotel's official description highlights its elegant bedrooms, restaurant, stylish bar, grounds, and facilities for weddings and other occasions.

Accommodation categories include Classic Double, Deluxe Double or Twin, Family, Superior, and a Bridal Suite. The variety allows the hotel to accommodate different types of visitors, from couples enjoying a short getaway to families requiring additional space.

Classic Double rooms retain traditional character while providing modern conveniences. Standard facilities include an en-suite bathroom, Wi-Fi, Smart TV, desk, safe, mini-fridge, tea and coffee facilities, hairdryer, iron and ironing board, and telephone. Room service and wake-up calls are also available.

The Deluxe Double and Twin rooms provide additional space and a more contemporary finish while retaining the character associated with the historic property. Families can choose larger family rooms designed to accommodate two adults and two children.

For couples celebrating a wedding or romantic occasion, the Bridal Suite offers a more spacious experience. It includes a separate living area, queen-size bed, walk-in wardrobe, and en-suite bathroom, creating a comfortable private retreat within the hotel.

Dining at The Craigie

Food is an important part of the experience at The Craigie Hotel. The property has an on-site restaurant where guests can enjoy meals without having to travel elsewhere after a day of sightseeing.

The restaurant operates seven days a week, with published opening hours from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. The hotel also has a bar that opens from late morning on most days, with slightly later opening hours on Sundays.

The dining environment is complemented by the hotel's traditional architecture and surrounding scenery. Travelers can enjoy breakfast before heading into Edinburgh, return for lunch or dinner, or simply relax with a drink in the hotel's bar.

The property also offers a beer garden, giving guests an outdoor space for enjoying food and drinks when weather conditions are suitable. This can be especially pleasant during Scotland's lighter summer evenings.

A Gateway to the Pentland Hills

The Craigie Hotel is particularly attractive to travelers who enjoy outdoor activities. The Pentland Hills Regional Park is only a short distance away and offers opportunities for walking, hillwalking, photography, and enjoying panoramic views across the surrounding countryside.

For guests who prefer historical attractions, Rosslyn Chapel is approximately four miles from the hotel. This remarkable fifteenth-century building is one of Midlothian's best-known landmarks and attracts visitors interested in Scottish history, architecture, and religious heritage.

Penicuik House is another nearby attraction. The Palladian-style mansion was constructed during the eighteenth century and is surrounded by a substantial historic estate. The area provides an interesting combination of architecture, landscape, and local history.

Golfers can also find opportunities nearby. Glencorse Golf Club is approximately two miles from the hotel, while Glencorse Reservoir provides another destination for visitors interested in fishing and peaceful countryside activities.

Facilities for Weddings and Events

The Craigie Hotel is more than a place to sleep. Its historic setting and flexible event spaces make it suitable for weddings, private celebrations, corporate meetings, and other gatherings.

The hotel's event facilities include the Pentland Suite and Garden Pod. The current meeting information states that the Pentland Suite can accommodate up to 80 people in a theatre-style arrangement, 120 for banqueting, and up to 150 for receptions. The smaller Garden Pod can accommodate more intimate groups.

On-site accommodation, restaurant and bar facilities, Wi-Fi, catering options, free parking, and breakout areas make the hotel practical for events where guests need both meeting facilities and overnight accommodation.

Its location outside central Edinburgh can also create a more relaxed atmosphere for corporate gatherings, away from the constant activity of a city-center hotel.

Transportation and Accessibility

For travelers using public transportation, several bus services serve the area. The hotel's event information states that Lothian Buses routes 37 and 15 stop directly outside, while route 47 stops in Penicuik town center, approximately a two-minute walk from there.

Guests arriving by car benefit from free secure parking at the hotel. Edinburgh Airport is approximately 14 miles away according to the hotel's published event information, while Edinburgh city center is around seven miles away.

Guests with mobility requirements should contact the hotel before booking. The property states that its bedrooms are located on the first and second floors and that there is no lift, so discussing individual requirements with the hotel in advance is important.

Pet Policy

The Craigie Hotel has a limited dog-friendly policy. Dogs are permitted in the bar area, but pets are not allowed in bedrooms or the restaurant, except for working dogs. This makes it possible for some guests to bring their dogs while still maintaining separate areas for dining and accommodation.

Final Thoughts

The Craigie Hotel offers an appealing alternative to staying directly in central Edinburgh. Its historic architecture, intimate collection of bedrooms, on-site restaurant and bar, free parking, and proximity to the Pentland Hills give it a distinctive character.

Its location is especially useful for travelers who want to divide their time between city sightseeing and countryside exploration. Edinburgh's attractions are within easy reach by road, while destinations such as Rosslyn Chapel, Penicuik House, Glencorse Reservoir, and the Pentland Hills provide plenty of opportunities to discover the surrounding area.

With its combination of traditional atmosphere and contemporary facilities, The Craigie Hotel can suit couples, families, business travelers, outdoor enthusiasts, and visitors attending weddings or private events. For anyone searching for a peaceful base near Edinburgh rather than a conventional city-center hotel, this Penicuik property provides a comfortable setting from which to experience both the historic capital and the beautiful landscapes of Midlothian.