Ben Cruachan Guest House Edinburgh Exterior photoBen Cruachan Guest House Edinburgh Exterior photoBen Cruachan Guest House Edinburgh Exterior photo

BEN CRUACHAN GUEST HOUSE, Edinburgh

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From$268 /night
Check-in
11Jul
Check-out
12Jul
Rooms and Guests2 Guests, 1 Room
Key details

Hotel Details

17 Mcdonald Road Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH7 4LX
-
Near Calton Hill
Perfect
9.2
/10
4.9
4.9
/5

Ben Cruachan Guest House - 2-minute walk from tram stop with two-course breakfast

Amenities

The guest house offers a two-course breakfast with porridge served with single malt whisky, honey, and double cream. Guests can use the communal kitchen and lounge area, stocked with complimentary tea, coffee, and cereal. The property provides free WiFi, parking, and key access with smoke alarms and fire extinguishers throughout.

Rooms

All rooms have a private bathroom and a flat-screen TV. Many rooms have been recently renovated with concealed bathrooms and modern fixtures, such as the Garden Room overlooking the back garden. Rooms include a decanter of sherry, USB charging points, and tea/coffee making facilities.

Location

The guest house is situated in the Broughton district, 2.6 km from the University of Edinburgh and 2.7 km from Edinburgh Castle. The MacDonald Road tram stop is a 2-minute walk, providing direct service from Edinburgh Airport in 40 minutes. Shops, pubs, and restaurants are within a few minutes' walk, yet the street is quiet.

Dining

The two-course breakfast includes a first course of porridge with optional whisky, honey, and cream. The second course offers choices such as pancakes with maple syrup, banana, and bacon, or a full Scottish breakfast. Guests select their breakfast items the evening before, and the meal is cooked fresh in the morning.

Services

Hosts Ollie and Mirela provide local recommendations and can arrange early check-in and luggage storage upon request. The guest house offers self-check-in with a lockbox and key access. Guests can leave bags secured after checkout.

Highlights

Breakfast: Two-course porridge with whisky + full Scottish

Transport: 2 min walk to tram stop from airport

Rooms: Recently renovated garden-view rooms with sherry

Location: Quiet street near Playhouse & Royal Mile

Services: Luggage storage & early check-in available

“In my opinion, this guest house focuses on quality. Its location proves ideal for the Playhouse and for reaching the airport via tram. I particularly appreciate the attentiveness of the hosts and the whisky-infused porridge.”
Hotel logo
Charlotte EvansHead of Editorial at Hotelsdowntown

Select room type

Choose from double rooms, family suites, and premium stays. Enjoy breakfast, flexible cancellations, and exclusive deals.
King Room
2 persons
1 King-size bed

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Check-in/ Check-out

Facilities

Hotel has comfortable rooms, premium services, and a prime downtown location
Facilities: Perfect
9.5/10Review score

General

  • No smoking on site
  • No pets allowed
  • Smoke detectors
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Key access

Guest Parking

  • Electric kettle

Room features

  • Free Wi-Fi in rooms
  • Heating

Self-catering

  • Electric kettle

Media

  • Flat-screen TV

Room decor

  • Carpeted floor
Show more

Ben Cruachan Guest House Location

17 Mcdonald Road Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH7 4LX
Explore Edinburgh
Local Highlights
  • Top Attractions
  • Activities
  • Dining
  • Entertainment
Calton Hill
4 minutes' walk
Scenic hill offering panoramic views of Edinburgh and notable monuments like the National Monument. Ideal for photography.
National Museum of Scotland
20 minutes' walk
Extensive collection showcasing Scotland's history, culture, and natural world. Free admission with guided tours available.
Palace of Holyroodhouse
20 minutes' walk
Official residence of the monarch in Scotland. Features historical exhibits and stunning gardens, perfect for history buffs.
Scott Monument
20 minutes' walk
Victorian Gothic monument dedicated to Sir Walter Scott, featuring an observation platform with views across the city.
Arthur's Seat Hike
25 minutes' walk
Thrilling hike providing breathtaking views of Edinburgh from an ancient volcano. Trailhead accessible via public transport.
Wellness at The Retreat
14 minutes' walk
Relaxing spa offers treatments, yoga classes, and wellness workshops, perfect for rejuvenating after a busy day.
Muzzicuni
3 minutes' walk
Charming eatery serving delicious Italian dishes with a cozy atmosphere. Vegetarian options available, reservations recommended.
Word of Mouth Cafe
4 minutes' walk
Popular cafe known for its brunch and hearty meals. Offers local ingredients and gluten-free options to cater to dietary needs.
The Stand Comedy Club
18 minutes' walk
Energetic venue hosting stand-up shows and open mic nights. Great for a fun evening with friends or family-friendly shows.
The Queen's Hall
20 minutes' walk
Iconic concert hall featuring a range of performances, including classical music, jazz, and folk. Check schedule for events.
Getting around <br />
  • City Centre
    Edinburgh 17 min  ·  4600 ft
  • Airports
    Edinburgh (EDI) 24 min  ·  9.6 mi
    Glasgow (GLA) 135 min  ·  55.9 mi
  • Train
    Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station 15 min  ·  4000 ft
  • Bus
    Bus stop 3 min  ·  700 ft
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Property information and rules
Check-in
from 16:00-23:30
Check-out
until 10 am
Guest Parking
No parking available.
Internet
Wireless internet is available in the hotel rooms for free.
Children & extra beds
Maximum capacity of extra beds in a room is 1. 
Pets
Pets are not allowed.
Number of rooms:
6

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback about Ben Cruachan Guest House from previous guests about their experience.
Review summary
Based on recent reviews
Powered by AI
Guests consistently praise the guest house's attractive decor and cleanliness, especially appreciating the well-designed downstairs kitchen and lounge area. The location is ideal, offering convenient access to the tram and nearby attractions like the Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage. Many find the beds very comfortable, though some have noted that sound isolation from the corridor could be improved. The recommended Brunswick Book Club for breakfast, offering dishes like salmon eggs Benedict, is a delightful find for many visitors.
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Review score
Based on 315 verified reviews
9.4 /10
Perfect
98 %
Recommend
Breakfast
9.9/10
Cleanliness
9.6/10
Value for money
8.9/10
Location
9.3/10
Pros
Delicious breakfast
Welcoming staff
Great location
Cons
Shower odour
Small room
No room service
Guest reviews
based on 315 reviews
9.4/10
based on 736 reviews
9.2/10
Ella from Australia
Couple
King Room
3 nights in November 2025
|
Reviewed: January 20, 2026
9/10

Fantastic Spot with Excellent Breakfast!

room decor garden space fully equipped kitchen
The room decor and size were awesome (I loved the details!). I enjoyed the garden and the available kitchen, fully equipped and even had light snacks. The service provided was great.
I arrived in the city and was able to drop my luggage off early. Then I headed out to see the sights. The location was perfect! It was easy to find and conveniently located, but not too close to the busyness of the main tourist attractions.
0 Helpful
Elijah from Israel
Single
King Room
3 nights in November 2025
|
Reviewed: January 19, 2026
6/10

Basic Accommodation with a Few Issues

corridor noise shower rust
I found the noise isolation to be poor. I heard corridor noise clearly. some rust was present on the shower racks. This gave me some concerns about general maintenance.
0 Helpful
Paul from United Kingdom
Single
king room
2 nights in October 2025
|
Reviewed: October 29, 2025
9.5/10

excellent stay

helpful staff scottish experience oats breakfast
The staff was helpful. Breakfast was awesome with a nice scottish experience. I had oats and the full Scottish, so i felt full for hours during my hike up arthur's seat.
The door to the room had poor sound isolation. I heard noise in the corridor outside and this leads directly to the front door. This impacted sleep.
Location
9/10
The location is good. It is close to the main places to visit and it is easy to check in and out. This provides convenience. There is easy access to key sites.
Dining
9/10
Breakfast was great. I chose from a menu and came at a convenient time. The meals are tasty. It creates a pleasant experience. The breakfast included porridge and a full Scottish.
Service
10/10
The staff was prompt when i needed to get in touch. Staff were communicative throughout my stay. Ollie was genuinely friendly. He gave loads of local information.
Facilities
10/10
the facilities are amazing and very clean. i loved the little touches. the new kitchen and lounge is great. it had everything i needed. this place made me feel very comfortable
0 Helpful
|
Show more
Mark from United Kingdom
Single
King Room
3 nights in June 2025
|
Reviewed: July 14, 2025
9/10
easy process modern style updated bathroom
the self-check-in process was easy. the room had a modern style. the bathroom seemed recently updated (i especially liked the shower).
the door to the room wasn't very soundproof.
0 Helpful
FAQs
About Ben Cruachan Guest House
What is the check-in and check-out policy at Ben Cruachan Guest House?
Check-in is at 16:00 and check-out is by 10:00.
How far is Ben Cruachan Guest House from Edinburgh Waverley station?
The guest house is located 1 km from Edinburgh Waverley station.
What are some nearby attractions to Ben Cruachan Guest House?
Nearby attractions include Calton Hill (0.5 km), Royal Mile (2 km), and National Museum of Scotland (2 km).
What amenities are available in the rooms at Ben Cruachan Guest House?
Rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV, electric kettle, and private bathroom.
What dining options are available near Ben Cruachan Guest House?
Nearby restaurants include The Walnut (0.5 km), The Village (0.5 km), and Tailend (0.5 km).
Does Ben Cruachan Guest House offer breakfast?
An à la carte breakfast is available each morning, featuring options like traditional Scottish breakfast and porridge with whisky, honey, and cream.
How far is the nearest airport from Ben Cruachan Guest House?
The nearest airport, Edinburgh Airport, is located 10 km from the guest house.
What language is spoken by the staff at Ben Cruachan Guest House?
The staff primarily speaks English.
Are there any smoking areas at Ben Cruachan Guest House?
The guest house is a non-smoking property.

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