An Independent Guest House on Gilmore Place, Tollcross
Curtain-up at the King's Theatre is one block away, Edinburgh Castle a 17-minute walk through Tollcross and the Grassmarket, and the bed between the two sits behind the door of a family-run Category B-listed mid-19th-century townhouse at 26 Gilmore Place, on the Tollcross and Bruntsfield edge of central Edinburgh. The building was originally a private house and was converted to a guest house in 2001 (a fact the owner volunteers), and it has been welcoming visitors here ever since. Also listed as 'IVY- Braveheart Guest House' and on its own website and Facebook page as 'Braveheart Guest House' or 'Braveheart City Centre Guest House', it's the same property under any of those names, same address, same independent family operator.
Guests rate it warmly overall, and the balance of feedback is what makes it bookable. The strengths are the location (good enough for the Couples Top Pick badge) and free Wi-Fi, with the staff and room comfort backing them up. Cleanliness and value sit around the middle. Facilities is the weakest line, and that's the honest one: this is a clean, quiet-inside, walkable city-centre B&B, not a boutique design hotel.
10 Minutes to the EICC, 17 Minutes to Edinburgh Castle
The reason guests keep coming back to 26 Gilmore Place is the postcode. The Edinburgh International Conference Centre is a 10-minute walk, the King's Theatre is on the next block, the Meadows are 12 minutes south, the Grassmarket 13 minutes north and Edinburgh Castle roughly 17 minutes through Tollcross and up the south face. Princes Street's department stores and the Scott Monument sit at the top of a 20-minute walk; the National Museum of Scotland and the Royal Mile are within the same radius.
Transport-wise, Haymarket station is 1.1 mi (15–20 min walk) and Edinburgh Waverley 1.3 mi (~20 min walk). Edinburgh Airport (EDI) is 9 mi out, the Airlink 100 bus or the Edinburgh Trams both drop at Haymarket, and a taxi runs door-to-door in 16–20 minutes. The Lochrin Buildings bus stop is about 400 metres away and Lothian routes 10, 11, 15, 16, 23, 27, 36, 45 and 47 all serve this corridor.
Be Honest with Yourself Before You Book
What we'd want a first-time visitor to know up front: there is no lift in the building (two staircases of about 20 steps each), no on-site parking (the property's current answer; Q-Park Edinburgh Quartermile and Castle Terrace Car Park are ~10 minutes' walk for paid alternatives), and breakfast is not included by default in 2026. Check-in after 18:00 runs as a pre-arranged self check-in via a Ring doorbell at the front door, smooth once you know to expect it, surprising if you turn up looking for a staffed desk. Arrivals after 20:00 must contact the property first.
What guests do consistently praise in writing: the host. Mcloughlin (Mar 2026, 9/10) called him 'very friendly' and noted he 'stored our luggage, called taxis and gave us tips on the area.' Kristine (9/10) 'loved the deco' and the walkability. Lynne (9/10) emphasised how close to the castle and Royal Mile it is. The recurring small complaints are paper cups for tea and a shower that's tricky to get to temperature, neither will ruin the trip, but both are honest to acknowledge. Edinburgh Short-Term Let licence: E, STL 101002083126.
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Interesting Points About Ivy- Braveheart Guest House
- Occupies a Category B-listed mid-19th-century townhouse at 26 Gilmore Place (the same Tollcross terrace block as Balmore Guest House at #34); a heritage-protected building grade that constrains what owners can change to the facade and stairwells, an architectural detail the standard guest-house listing does not surface.
- A well-reviewed 17-room operation for a Tollcross guest house; the Couples Top Pick badge and the strongly-reviewed Wi-Fi are the standout signals that the property is genuinely a couples-and-remote-worker base rather than a budget-only sleep.
- Edinburgh International Conference Centre is a 10-minute walk and King's Theatre is on the next block; that strongly-praised location is why business and theatre-night travellers specifically book this address over comparable city-centre 3-star hotels.
- Check-in is via Ring doorbell with a staff member visible on a video screen rather than a manned reception desk (specifically called out by Lexy in January 2026); a tech-enabled self-check-in pattern that suits late arrivals but catches expectation-of-front-desk guests off-guard if not flagged in pre-arrival communications.
Rooms & Accommodation at Ivy- Braveheart Guest House
Budget Double Room
Sleeps 2 · Double bed · Private bathroom · Flat-screen TV
The cheapest entry-point in the building. A double bed in a compact, non-smoking room with a private en-suite bathroom (shower, towels, hairdryer, toilet paper), flat-screen TV, electric kettle and free Wi-Fi. Guests give the bed comfort steady marks.
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Double Room
Sleeps 2 · Double bed · Private bathroom · Flat-screen TV
The mid-tier double, same amenity profile as the Budget Double but generally a touch larger or in a better-positioned room within the townhouse. Private bathroom (shower, towels, hairdryer), flat-screen TV, electric kettle, free Wi-Fi, linen and heating standard. The property shows nine photos for this category.
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Double or Twin Room
Sleeps 2 · Double bed or two singles · Private bathroom · Free Wi-Fi
The flexible-configuration room, book one double bed or two singles depending on whether you're a couple or friends sharing. Private bathroom with shower, towels, hairdryer and toilet paper, flat-screen TV, electric kettle and free Wi-Fi. Rates vary with the configuration and date, check the availability calendar for your stay window.
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Triple Room with Private Bathroom
Sleeps 3 · Triple · Private bathroom · Free Wi-Fi
The top-tier configuration and the only category that sleeps three, the right pick for a small family or three friends sharing a city-break weekend. Private en-suite bathroom (shower, towels, hairdryer, toilet paper), flat-screen TV, electric kettle and free Wi-Fi. Note the building has two staircases of about 20 steps each and no lift.
Check PricesIs Ivy- Braveheart Guest House right for you?
Best Suited For
- Travellers who want a walk-everywhere city-centre Edinburgh base: the location is the draw, and the 10-minute EICC walk, the 17-minute castle walk and the on-the-block King's Theatre are why guests rate it so highly
- Couples on a guest-house budget: the property holds the Couples Top Pick badge for its two-person appeal
- Solo travellers and small families who care about staff helpfulness: the host repeatedly draws warm reviews for calling taxis, holding luggage and pointing visitors at the right pub
- Fringe and Festival visitors who can book early enough to lock the price: Edinburgh hotels triple in August, this property's budget double holds steadier
- Cyclists: secure indoor bike storage for four to five bikes, confirmed in the property's own Q&A
- Repeat Edinburgh visitors who already know they want Tollcross-side of the centre over Newington or Leith
Worth Considering Alternatives If
- You need a lift or step-free access: the building has two staircases of about 20 steps each and no lift
- You need to park a car on-site: there is no on-site parking; paid alternatives are Q-Park Edinburgh Quartermile and Castle Terrace Car Park ~10 minutes' walk
- You expect breakfast in the room rate: breakfast is not included by default in 2026 (a recent guest specifically flagged this); cafes on Tollcross and Fountainbridge are five minutes away
- You're a light sleeper sensitive to traffic: the property is on a busy road and its own description acknowledges it; quiet hours run 23:00–07:00 and rooms inside are quiet, but light sleepers may want earplugs on weekends
- You want a staffed desk on arrival after 18:00: late check-in runs via a Ring doorbell at the front door, smooth when expected but jarring otherwise
- You only have an American Express card: the property's fine print is explicit that AmEx is not accepted, despite the property's basics page listing it
Amenities & Facilities
In-Room
- Private bathroom in every advertised room (shower, towels, hairdryer, toilet paper)
- Free Wi-Fi (the strongest-rated in-room feature)
- Flat-screen TV in every room
- Electric kettle and tea/coffee tray
- Linen and heating standard
- Comfortable beds with quiet interiors despite the busy road outside
- Towels changed every three days; tea/coffee replenished accordingly
- Not available: No in-room balcony
- Not available: No cots or extra beds
Food & Drink
- Guru (Indian) 150 yards from the door
- Tuk Tuk Indian street-food tapas 200 yards, a King's Theatre pre-show favourite
- The Blackbird Edinburgh independent bar/restaurant 300 yards
- Loudons Fountainbridge, Treehouse Café and Harajuku Kitchen all within a 5–10 minute walk
- Not available: Breakfast is not included by default in 2026, confirm directly with the property
- Not available: No on-site restaurant
- Not available: No on-site bar (aggregator mentions of a lounge bar are stale)
Property-Wide
- Free Wi-Fi throughout the building
- Luggage storage on the day of departure (and at the manager's discretion before check-in)
- Secure indoor bike storage for 4–5 bikes
- Tour and ticket desk
- Housekeeping every three days
- Non-smoking throughout
- Edinburgh Short-Term Let licence: E, STL 101002083126
- Not available: No lift, two staircases of around 20 steps each
- Not available: No pool, gym, spa or business centre
- Not available: No room service
Parking & Transport
- Lochrin Buildings bus stop ~400 m · Lothian routes 10, 11, 15, 16, 23, 27, 36, 45 and 47
- Edinburgh Haymarket station 1.1 mi · 15–20 min walk
- Edinburgh Waverley station 1.3 mi · ~20 min walk
- Edinburgh Airport (EDI) 9 mi · Airlink 100 bus or Edinburgh Trams to Haymarket then 15-min walk, or taxi 16–20 min
- Q-Park Edinburgh Quartermile and Castle Terrace Car Park ~10 minutes' walk for paid parking
- Not available: No on-site parking
- Not available: No airport shuttle service
Policies
- Check-in 14:00–18:00 in person · self check-in via Ring doorbell after 18:00 (must be pre-arranged)
- Arriving after 20:00? Call ahead to arrange access
- Check-out by 10:00
- Photo ID and credit card required at check-in
- Quiet hours 23:00–07:00
- Children of any age welcome · minimum age to check in is 18
- Cash and major credit or debit cards accepted, American Express is not accepted
- Your deposit is due within a day of booking
- Same-day cancellation not permitted
- Pets not allowed · smoking not allowed anywhere
- Not available: Hen, stag and party groups
- Not available: Cots and extra beds
26 Gilmore Place, Tollcross, A Walk-Everywhere City-Centre Base
Ivy- Braveheart Guest House sits at 26 Gilmore Place, on the Tollcross and Bruntsfield edge of central Edinburgh, just south of the West End and the Edinburgh International Conference Centre. The Lochrin Buildings bus stop is about 400 metres away and the King's Theatre is on the next block. The property's own description is candid: this is a busy road in a city-centre setting, which is why both the property and recent guests mention traffic noise. Inside, quiet hours run 23:00–07:00 and rooms hold up well, and the review pattern says what we'd expect: a guest house that does the basics honestly and trades on its postcode.
The block sits inside a tight cluster of Edinburgh greatest-hits. Edinburgh Castle is 0.8 mi (a 17-minute walk through Tollcross and the Grassmarket), the National Museum of Scotland is 0.9 mi, Camera Obscura is at the top of the Royal Mile a similar distance away, Princes Street Gardens 1 mi and The Meadows 0.7 mi south. Palace of Holyroodhouse and Arthur's Seat are 1.8 and 1.9 mi east. Within 300 yards of the door you have Guru and Tuk Tuk for Indian dinners and The Blackbird for an independent bar/restaurant; walk five minutes for Loudons Fountainbridge, Treehouse Café and Harajuku Kitchen on Gillespie Place.
Transport is genuinely walkable. Edinburgh Haymarket is 1.1 mi (15–20 minutes on foot down Morrison Street and Fountainbridge), Edinburgh Waverley 1.3 mi (~20 minutes). Edinburgh Airport (EDI) is 9 mi out and the Airlink 100 bus or the Edinburgh Trams both drop at Haymarket; a Lothian Bus day ticket (£5.50) covers them and works on the night services too.
- Edinburgh Castle: 0.8 mi · ~17-min walk · The Honours of Scotland (Crown Jewels), the Stone of Destiny and the daily One O'Clock Gun atop Castle Rock.
- The Meadows: 0.7 mi · ~12-min walk · Edinburgh's flat green lung south of the Old Town, used for cricket, picnics and Fringe overflow events.
- Grassmarket: 0.7 mi · ~13-min walk · Historic open square under the south face of the castle, ringed with pubs and small independents.
- National Museum of Scotland: 0.9 mi · ~17-min walk · Free admission; Scottish history, design and Dolly the cloned sheep under one Victorian glass roof.
- Camera Obscura & World of Illusions: 0.8 mi · ~16-min walk · Top-of-Royal-Mile attraction with the working Victorian camera obscura at its centre.
- The Real Mary King's Close: 1.1 mi · ~20-min walk · Guided tours through 17th-century streets sealed beneath the Royal Exchange.
- Princes Street Gardens & Scott Monument: 1.0–1.3 mi · ~20–25-min walk · The valley park between Old and New Towns, with the gothic Scott Monument rising 200 ft above it.
- Palace of Holyroodhouse & Arthur's Seat: 1.8–1.9 mi · The King's official Scottish residence and the dormant volcano at the east end of the Royal Mile.
Getting to Key Locations
Tollcross & Bruntsfield, Edinburgh
Tollcross is the five-way junction where Edinburgh's south-side districts meet, Bruntsfield south, Lothian Road north, the West End and EICC north-west and Gilmore Place running south-west toward the canal. Streets here keep their late-Victorian residential character (tall tenements, sash windows, occasional pubs and small theatres) and the King's Theatre on Leven Street is the neighbourhood's cultural anchor. From Gilmore Place you can walk to the Grassmarket in 13 minutes, to the castle in 17, to The Meadows in 12 and to Princes Street in 20, almost everything visitors come to Edinburgh for is inside a half-hour radius on foot.
View on MapHow to Get to Ivy- Braveheart Guest House from Edinburgh Airport
- 1. By Airlink 100 bus from the airport terminal: Lothian Buses Airlink 100 departs from the terminal forecourt at Edinburgh Airport and runs to Haymarket in about 20 minutes, every 10 minutes daytime. A single is roughly £5.50, day tickets the same. Stay on for Haymarket, do not continue to Waverley, you'll add walking time.
- 2. Or take the Edinburgh Trams to Haymarket: Edinburgh Trams from Edinburgh Airport stop to Haymarket take about 25 minutes, every 7–15 minutes through the day. The tram is step-free and luggage-friendly; the airport stop is signposted from arrivals.
- 3. From Haymarket, walk south through Fountainbridge: From Haymarket station, head south down Morrison Street, continuing onto Fountainbridge. Cross at the Earl Grey Street junction and pass the Cameo Cinema and the King's Theatre on your right as Earl Grey Street becomes Home Street.
- 4. Turn onto Gilmore Place, No. 26 is on the right: Turn left into Leven Street and right onto Gilmore Place. Ivy- Braveheart Guest House is at No. 26 on the right-hand side, about 15 minutes' walk from Haymarket and roughly 35–40 minutes door-to-door from the airport by bus or tram.
- 5. Or take a taxi door-to-door: Taxis from Edinburgh Airport to Gilmore Place run 16–20 minutes outside rush hour. Fares are metered. Hand the driver '26 Gilmore Place, EH3 9NQ' and you're at the door.
Edinburgh at a Glance
Edinburgh is the only major UK city whose entire historic core, the medieval Old Town and the Georgian New Town, is collectively a UNESCO World Heritage Site (inscribed 1995). The Old Town's narrow closes climb the volcanic ridge from Holyrood up to Edinburgh Castle; the New Town's grid of ashlar terraces and Charlotte Square neoclassicism was so influential that planners across 19th-century Europe took notes. Around 4,500 listed buildings sit inside the property boundary, and the city is also a UNESCO City of Literature (designated 2004). From Gilmore Place, almost everything visitors come to Edinburgh for is inside a 25-minute walk.
The event calendar genuinely sets the city's pulse. The Fringe (7–31 August 2026) and the Edinburgh International Festival (7–30 August), with the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, the Book Festival (15–30 August) and the Art Festival (14–30 August) all overlapping in one fortnight. Hogmanay (29 December 2026 – 1 January 2027) is the other peak, torchlight procession, street party, fireworks over the castle. Six Nations rugby weekends at Murrayfield in February and March fill the city's central hotels solid. Late spring (April–early June) is the smart shoulder season: gardens in bloom, longer daylight than London and rates that have not yet ramped for August.
Packing-wise: four seasons in a day even in July. A light rainshell beats an umbrella in the wind off the Firth of Forth. Edinburgh Castle and Holyroodhouse need pre-booked timed tickets in August. Free attractions punch above their weight, the National Museum of Scotland, the Scottish National Gallery and Calton Hill at sunset are all on the gold-star list, and a Lothian Buses day ticket (£5.50) covers the Airlink 100, the city network and the night services.
Watch: ten things to do in Edinburgh
A tight run through Edinburgh’s ten best days out, from the Castle and the Royal Mile to Arthur’s Seat, Dean Village and Calton Hill. Most of it is a walk or one bus from Gilmore Place.
What Guests Say About Ivy- Braveheart Guest House
Scores and review counts are aggregated from verified guest bookings on major travel platforms.
Good
Across a large body of verified stays Ivy- Braveheart Guest House rates warmly, the kind of pattern where two strengths (the location and the free Wi-Fi) are clearly the wedge, the host is the consistent surprise, and facilities is the honest weakest line. Guests overwhelmingly book it for the walkable city-centre postcode and the price, and they consistently get exactly that. The recurring small irritations are paper cups for tea and a shower that's tricky to get to temperature; the recurring praise is for the host's hands-on practicality (taxis called, luggage held, area tips given) and how close everything turns out to be on foot. Couples particularly like the location for a two-person trip, and the property holds the Couples Top Pick badge.
Great value, spotless and comfortable. The manager was hugely friendly and went out of his way for us, storing our bags, booking taxis and pointing us to the best bits of the area. For what it cost I struggle to see what could be improved, though I'd gladly have paid a bit more for breakfast to be included.
Mcloughlin
Great value, spotless and comfortable. The manager was hugely friendly and went out of his way for us, storing our bags, booking taxis and pointing us to the best bits of the area. For what it cost I struggle to see what could be improved, though I'd gladly have paid a bit more for breakfast to be included.
2026-03-21Loved the deco and the location, we walked everywhere. Only nitpicks were a missing hair towel and the paper cups and spoons.
2026-03-21Had a great stay, so much to do nearby and about a 20-minute walk to Princes Street. Paper cups for tea were the one small downside.
2026-01-05Great location and very clean. The shower temperature was a bit tricky to get right.
2026-05-05A warm, smooth check-in. The room was simple but exactly right for our visit, and outstanding value.
2026-03-31Good location, nice property and good value for money.
2026-03-17Great location near the Meadows. The room was cosy and clean and the bathroom was finished nicely. Check-in via a Ring doorbell took a moment to figure out (there's no desk or staff in the hallway) but the team were helpful once we got going.
2026-01-09Good to Know Before You Book
Self check-in via Ring doorbell after 18:00
Standard check-in is 14:00–18:00 in person. After 18:00 the property runs a pre-arranged self check-in via a Ring doorbell at the front door, you'll be met or instructed by the property and given a key. If you'll arrive after 20:00, contact the property in advance on +44 131 221 9192. Reviews confirm this is smooth once you know to expect it; it's only 'odd' if you arrive looking for a staffed reception.
No lift, two short staircases
The building is a mid-19th-century B-listed townhouse with two flights of around 20 steps each and no lift. Pack light. If mobility is a concern, mention it when you book and staff will allocate the lowest available room subject to availability.
No on-site parking, busy road outside
The property is on a busy city-centre road, which is great for buses and short on parking. Park at Q-Park Edinburgh Quartermile or Castle Terrace Car Park (both ~10 minutes' walk), or come car-free, Waverley and Haymarket are walkable and the airport tram drops at Haymarket. Quiet hours run 23:00–07:00 and rooms hold up well inside; light sleepers may want earplugs on a Friday night.
Breakfast is not included by default
Recent guests have flagged this, historic continental and cooked options have existed at the property, but the 2026 rate doesn't bundle breakfast. Loudons Fountainbridge, Treehouse Café and a clutch of Tollcross coffee shops are all under five minutes' walk if you want a proper start to the day. American Express is also not accepted at the property despite the property's basics page listing it; cash and other major cards are fine.
Photos of Ivy- Braveheart Guest House
Frequently Asked Questions about Ivy- Braveheart Guest House
Ivy- Braveheart Guest House is at 26 Gilmore Place, Edinburgh EH3 9NQ, on the Tollcross and Bruntsfield edge of central Edinburgh. Edinburgh Castle is 0.8 miles away, roughly a 17-minute walk through Tollcross and the Grassmarket. The Edinburgh International Conference Centre is a 10-minute walk, the King's Theatre is on the next block, and the Meadows are 12 minutes south.
Check-in is from 14:00 to 18:00 in person and check-out is by 10:00. Arrivals after 18:00 use a pre-arranged self check-in via a Ring doorbell at the front door, staff will send you the access details on the day of arrival. If you expect to turn up after 20:00, call ahead on +44 131 221 9192 so alternative arrangements can be made.
No, breakfast is not included by default in the 2026 rate. The property's own historic Q&A describes a continental and cooked spread (porridge and cereals, toast with jam, cheese and yoghurt, plus scrambled eggs, sausages and beans) but a recent guest specifically asked us to flag that breakfast was not bundled with the stay. Loudons Fountainbridge, Treehouse Café and several Tollcross coffee shops are under five minutes' walk if you want a sit-down start to the day.
No, the property's current answer is that there is no on-site parking, despite older Q&A entries suggesting a single paid space. Paid alternatives are Q-Park Edinburgh Quartermile and Castle Terrace Car Park, both about 10 minutes' walk away. Most guests come car-free; Edinburgh Waverley and Haymarket stations are walkable and the airport tram drops at Haymarket.
There is no lift in the building. The property's own description is candid: two staircases of around 20 steps each lead to the rooms. If mobility is a concern, mention it when you book and staff will allocate the lowest available room subject to availability. The townhouse is mid-19th-century and Category B-listed, which limits structural changes.
Yes, free Wi-Fi covers the building and is one of the property's strongest-rated features. The property's Q&A notes coverage is strongest in public spaces and some rooms may experience weaker signal, so plan a 5G phone tether as a backup if you need a guaranteed connection for video calls.
Pets are not allowed at Ivy- Braveheart Guest House and smoking is not permitted anywhere on the property. Children of any age are welcome, but cots and extra beds are not available and the minimum age to check in is 18. Hen, stag and similar party groups are not accommodated.
From Edinburgh Airport (9 mi), take the Airlink 100 bus or the Edinburgh Trams to Haymarket, about 20–25 minutes, then walk 15 minutes south through Fountainbridge to Gilmore Place; a taxi runs door-to-door in 16–20 minutes. From Edinburgh Waverley (1.3 mi), it's a 20-minute walk west via Lothian Road, Bread Street and Home Street, or jump on Lothian Buses 10, 11, 15, 16, 23 or 27 down the corridor.
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Ready to Book Ivy- Braveheart Guest House?
Four room categories in an independent 17-room B&B at 26 Gilmore Place, Budget Double, Double, Double or Twin and Triple, on the Tollcross edge of central Edinburgh. Free Wi-Fi, private bathrooms in every advertised room, 10 minutes to the EICC and 17 minutes to Edinburgh Castle on foot. Warmly reviewed by guests, with the location and the host as the standout strengths.
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