Just a 20-minute walk from Edinburgh’s famous Royal Mile lies historic and culturally-rich Newington.  This former enclave of dukes and provosts has gained the attention of prime property buyers in recent years.  

The average price in Newington now stands at £564,000 which is 81% above Edinburgh. The number of million pound plus sales increased last year, bucking the trend for Scotland as a whole and the area achieved its highest ever sale price at over £2m. The number of transactions was limited due to lack of available stock, but was boosted by sales at Newington Residences.  Only four homes remain available to buy in this impressive collection of contemporary and refurbished apartments, sandstone townhouses and a gatehouse cottage. 

Buyers seeking family homes in well-connected neighbourhoods, close to the city centre, have driven demand.  Here are just a few reasons why Newington has been top of their list.

Fine architecture

At Newington's heart is the Blacket Conservation area, bought as the 'lands of Newington' by a distinguished Edinburgh surgeon in 1803. He set about establishing homes for those with 'the desire for a house like one for a country gentleman, but more modest and closer to the life of the town'. This was, in effect, an early gated community.

The area expanded throughout the ensuing Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian periods, and more recently through the creation of boutique residential developments.

Historic location

With its glens, three lochs and the cliffs of Arthur’s Seat, Holyrood Park provides a wild piece of the Scottish landscape on the doorstep of Newington.  Formerly a 12th-century royal hunting estate, the park was created in 1541 for James V to enjoy when at Holyrood Palace. 

Slightly to the south is Prestonfield House. Designed by the king’s architect, Sir William Bruce, its interiors are embellished with plasterwork by Italian artisans and gilded with Spanish leather wall-coverings. It's now a characterful five-star hotel and restaurant set in extensive grounds with a panapoly of former guests that includes Sandie Shaw, Winston Churchill, Sean Connery and Oliver Reed.

International culture

Newington is home to the Queen's Hall, a 900-capacity music venue, originally built as Hope Park Chapel in 1823. The Edinburgh performance home of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, it is also a lead venue during the Fringe and the Edinburgh International Jazz and Blues Festivals. 

The nearby Edinburgh Festival Theatre is one of the major venues of the annual summer Edinburgh International Festival, Scottish Opera and Scottish Ballet. Designed by the great British theatre architect, Frank Matcham, who also built the London Coliseum, its lavish interior now also incorporates an airy glass extension. It now seats almost 2,000 theatre goers.

First class education

Established in 1582, Edinburgh University has long been a seat of learning and continues to thrive. Newington’s situation between George Square and the King's Buildings Campuses, and close to the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, means ever-expanding numbers of academic staff and students are bringing a real vibrancy to the area, boosting the local offering of restaurants, bars and coffee shops.

Newington is served by one of Scotland’s highest performing state high schools, James Gillespie’s, and a number of highly regarded independent schools including George Watson's College and George Heriot's School.

Further information 

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