If you like to read and are interested in history, this is a great place to stay! The site itself is Robert Louis Stevenson's childhood home and the current owners are friendly bibliophiles who will figure out your interests, ply you with books from their own collection, and discourse knowledgeably on local history, Edinburgh literary figures, 19th century plumbing, Scottish law as compared to English and American law, the history of linoleum, lighthouses and steam engines, and just about any other topic you might care to raise with them. We have never stayed in a B & B before, so cannot compare with others, but this one may have raised our expectations to an unfairly high level for the next one we stay in. We were given a large quiet room with bath on the second floor, fed lavish breakfasts and offered delicious whiskey in the evening. The three Macfie children who were home were charming hosts themselves, even the toddler twins who lavished us with grins and giggles. We were welcome to visit the common dining room at any time and each time we did we encountered a different set of interesting guests who were passing through. The Macfies manage a most gregarious and friendly B and B and they enriched our stay in Edinburgh immensely.

I’ll be the first to admit that Stevenson House is not your mainstream B&B and its charm lies in the fact that one gets to share in the daily comings and goings of the MacFie family from the moment of arrival until departure; something which the hostess pointed out to me when I first made enquiries.

The house is conveniently located and one is able to walk to the main tourist attractions in both the Old and New Town without any inconvenience at all. John and Felicitas as well as the older children are able to give one a local’s insight into their city that other establishments would probably not be able to do.

I was shown where the key to the private gardens across the road from the house is kept and was able to spend some quality quite time out there. Books are to be found all over the house, even in the downstairs loo, and I got to spend enough time in the drawing room on the first floor curled-up with something interesting to read.

My room was spacious enough and thankfully clean, as was the bathroom which I have been told in advance I would have to share. The loo did at times need a special flick of the wrist to get it to flush.

Staying at No. 17 is highly recommended if you are open minded to a unique experience and I shall certainly be back.

This very central B&B exceeded all our expectations during our recent stay there. We wanted to meet some locals and opted for b&b instead of hotels and found this wonderful place which allows you to share a family home right in the city centre of Edinburgh. John & Felicitas plus their children could not have been more helpful with everything from carrying our luggage to the sumptious and spacious room to giving us every day tips on what to do and where to go. We got a real feel of Edinburgh which is a fantastic city with oodles of culture.
Breakfast is shared with the family and simply delicious. Felicitas bakes her own bread and makes all the jams and we feasted so thoroughly that we often did not need lunch ! Whenever we came in in the afternoon we were offered tea or coffee and the same after our dinner excursions.
If you want to join the locals on your holidays, this is a must-visit B&B, don't forget to ask John all the historic questions you have - he will most likely have the answer !

Great Location and Great Bed, after that i only have negative things to say. On arrival we were offered tea which was great, unfortunatly the family felt they had to join us and we wanted to catch up with our friends one in a nearby B/B who had walked over to say hello our other friend had come over from Europe.
It felt rude to have a conversation without including the whole (and there are a lot ) family. I felt they needed our attention in order to tell us their life history and introduce us to their children. Delightful as they may have been, we needed to discuss the evening ahead. Our room was too full of personnal items and the bathroom had the family washing hanging up to dry, no full length mirrow, poor light, and no Hot water, no tea or coffee making facilities. Breakfast was very dissapointing no cooked breakfast was offered, no selection of cereals, we shared our teapot with the family, the croissants arrived as we had finished.
One of the daughters was upset and crying about her homework the eldest son marched of to school in a huff. we need more peace on a night away and a little less familarity.