Do you love uncrowded, off-the-beaten-path castles? 
If so, this small castle-like manor house is a MUST DO if you're ever in Edinburgh!

We happened across this Scottish charmer while booking with our airbnb host in Cramond Edinburgh and were very excited to be staying in a place just a few blocks away. This 16th century country house (complete with towers) is in a walkable, residential neighborhood, within 1.5 miles of the turreted Whitehouse Road home of Harry Potter author JK Rowling...and every bit as intriguing to visit.

With high season in mid August and the popular Scottish fringe and tatoo festivals underway, boisterous crowds turned our effort to see Edinburgh Castle into a standing-room affair.  With discomfort a certainty, we happily aborted our mission to the vast landmark and enjoyed a peaceful soujourn to Lauriston, instead.  Its more human-scale and quiet grandeur is a delight and the small group tours (ours was about 8 guests) allow a much more personalized approach, no reservations required. 

On a scale of 1 to 10, I rate this experience a solid 9+ 

         

              

Fast facts:

Location: 2A Cramond Road South | Davidson's Mains, Edinburgh EH4 5QD, Scotland

Hours: Tours of Castle, April 1-Oct 31:
Mon - Thurs at 2p (closed Fri)
Sat or Sun at 2p, 2:30p, 3p, 3:30p

Grounds open daily, 7:30am to 8p

Cost: Adult £8, Concession £6 (under 5 free);
Grounds are Free to explore

Notes: free parking on site; website here