I feel very lucky to have grown up in Edinburgh. It is constantly evolving, but always achieves a wonderful balance between the historic and the cutting edge.

Earlier this week I finished a meeting at 6pm at Colinton Road, a collection of six luxury apartments by Periodhouse Development, which will be coming to the market soon. Set on a prominent leafy corner within one of the south side’s most coveted enclaves, this former Georgian home is being beautifully refurbished. It sits in gardens behind golden sandstone walls and overlooks the playing fields of George Watsons College, one of Edinburgh’s oldest and best regarded private schools.

There’s a brilliant selection of both state and independent schools in this part of the city, which is why it’s always attracted families. It holds great nostalgic value for me as I grew up nearby, so with the evening sun still in the sky and with an hour until my final client viewing of the day, I took the opportunity to walk up Colinton Road to the bustling neighbourhood of Bruntsfield. 

Passing the many independent art, gift, clothing and flower shops, I made a mental note to return with more time to browse. Reaching the Meadows, an oasis of green parkland in the city, I looked over to the Black Ivy – with its outdoor tables and twinkling fairy lights, it’s one of the many  great places to eat and drink in this area. Slightly to the left, and emerging from the treetops are the fabulous glass towers of Quartermile, one of my favourite contemporary residential developments: its juxtaposition with Edinburgh Castle just beyond is really awe inspiring.

From Bruntsfield Place I made a left turn down Viewforth, the steep shortcut to the city’s canal-side regeneration area. It took me past the very distinctive Boroughmuir, an amazing renovation of the former High School by CALA homes which fuses heritage and provenance, with a modern twist. 

On Viewforth footbridge I stopped to watch the walkers and cyclists using the Caledonian Canal path and the people that had gathered at waterside bars and restaurants, next to the houseboats anchored alongside.

I ambled through the walkways created by AMA as part of its hugely successful Fountainbridge development. These apartments are now all sold, mostly to the city’s young professional market. Passing a plaque commemorating Sean Connery, the Hollywood star who grew up in the area’s original tenement buildings, I crossed the Western Approach Road and walked along Morrison Link. This took me to the Haymarket development, a high profile mixed-use project which will bring state-of-the-art office space, shops, bars, restaurants, a new hotel – and undoubtedly a brand new energy – to Edinburgh’s already popular West End.

At Haymarket station I crossed the road, avoiding the trams. Rather than turning eastwards to Princes Street – one of the UK’s most famous shopping streets, some five minutes on foot from here – I walked along West Coats. The capital’s western gateway to its world heritage site, this is the home of the former Donaldsons School. Designed by famous architect William Playfair in 1851, it oozes palatial elegance and is now a wonderful place to live. The incredibly characterful modern apartments within The Playfair at Donaldsons, created by City & Country, provide a striking contrast to the building’s exterior and residents can be proud of the fact they are living and breathing a piece of the city’s history. 

In addition, within the lovely 18-acre grounds of the former school, CALA has created The Crescent at Donaldsons, a selection of innovative and exquisite garden apartments, duplexes and penthouses designed in glass, slate and glorious sandstone. 

With just two minutes to spare, I greeted my clients. They are among the 15 per cent of our buyers who currently live outside Scotland and are attracted by the wonderful lifestyle, as well as the fantastic array of residential property, on offer here in our capital city.

Further information

Contact Holly Malek

View all property currently for sale in Edinburgh

In Focus and On Foot – expert views on local neighbourhoods