The Stevenson House

We had almost a week at the Robert Louis Stevenson House and it was excellent. The hosts are welcoming and very interesting. The house itself is extraordinary - a beautiful Georgian home filled with books, art, and all sorts of intriguing things. I believe the mattresses in our room were the most comfortable we have ever slept on. It's also centrally located so that you can walk into town within minutes or grab a nearby bus. The owners also have a key to the private park across the street which is beautiful and serene.

A superb place to stay! It was a joy to be here with the Macfie family, all of whom are kind-hearted and wonderful. Mr. Macfie himself is quite knowledgeable about Robert L. Stevenson and owns a marvelous collection of books! This is the number one place to stay in Edinburgh! Highly recommended!

We had such a memorable stay at the Stevenson House. It was a pleasure spending time with our hosts who had a wealth of knowledge about Stevenson and the city. They really made us feel like part of the family. You will certainly want to join the “Talk and Tea” to get the most out of your stay. Between bookshelves nicely crammed with books of all sorts to the whimsical and wild decor, there is something to spark your curiosity at every turn. Be prepared to be the envy of the tour-bus-sitters as they rush to grab a snapshot of the famous house while you leisurely enjoy your homemade marmalade in style.

This is a bed and breakfast (NOT AirBnB), but visitors who aren't staying there can arrange to have a meal or tea. We booked dinner at The Stevenson House, and it turned out to a delightful evening. My husband is very interested in Robert Louis Stevenson, and our host, John Macfie, is extremely knowledgeable. He is a warm and generous host. The food was delicious, and the conversation was interesting and informative.

I, being of the broader Stevenson blood, came upon the old house and set my feet within its bounds. At the threshold I was met by a gentleman, neat in attire, clad as one of venerable years, though his manner was somewhat sharp and unwelcoming. Yet, for all his cold courtesy, the dwelling itself stood fair and comely, a place of beauty in spite of its keeper.

My friends and I had the absolute pleasure of staying in this charming, family-run house for a few unforgettable days. From the very first moment, we were wrapped in the warmth and care of the wonderful hosts, who treated us not just as guests, but as dear friends. Their attentive hospitality, delicious homemade breakfasts, and heartfelt conversations made us feel completely at home.||The house itself is a true gem, perfectly located in the heart of Edinburg, with all the main attractions just a short and pleasant walk away. What makes this place so special is its unique character — an old house with high ceilings, shelves filled with books, beautiful paintings, and charming decorations that give it a soul of its own. Every corner tells a story, and staying here allowed us to truly feel the authentic spirit and vibrant colours of the city.||We left with our hearts full of warmth and gratitude, and we are already dreaming of returning to this magical place. Thank you for making our stay so special — we will cherish these memories forever!

We enjoyed our 2 nights at the Stevenson House. The house and furnishing are interesting. Books are everywhere and the art and furnishings look to be from all over the world, especially South Africa. John was very welcoming and made sure we were comfortable and had everything we needed. One of us in our party had a biking accident and John made sure to let us eat dinner at the house and stayed with us to make sure we were ok. We also enjoyed chatting with John after dinner and while enjoying some whiskey, learning about his and his wife’s family history. Breakfast was great and accommodated our schedule. Would recommend staying here to see a different side of Edinburgh and its people.

Stevenson House is where you go for a 3-dimensional encounter with Edinburgh. The magic begins with the expansive welcome from the McFie family to their historic home. It continues whenever you follow their nuggets of advice. This is an extraordinary--and extraordinarily accessible--household of hospitality. The walls have portraits, landscapes, and whimsical (but also serious) contemporary art; the shelves have P. G. Wodehouse, histories, poetry, travel guides, and of course, the works of Robert Louis Stevenson. Count on a clean, comfortable bed, and a breakfast that sets you up for a day of exploring or working in Edinburgh. If you are fortunate enough to plan an event there, you'll get Felicitas's high-quality cuisine. She accommodated a party that featured people with quite a few dietary constraints, sourced nearly all the food locally, and somehow matched the food to the family atmosphere we brought to the table. Yes, extraordinary. Period.