What a find!! This hostal is only available in July and August, the rest of the year it is dorms for the university. Although part of the “youth” hostal organization of Scotland, there were many, many people of all ages there including elderly and families with kids. Probably less than half were “youth” age and it was definitely not a loud partying type of place.. What is unique about this hostal experience is that the rooms are all singles, and they are lockable. They are arranged in “flats” with 6 rooms, two bathrooms and a full kitchen/sitting area. The kitchen has a large refrigerator, oven/stove, sink, pots and pans and dishes, etc, so you can cook entire meals, not just heat things up. When you check in you get two keys, one to your flat and one to your room. So the only other people who can use the bathrooms and kitchen are your flatmates, and no one but you can get into your room. The rooms are well furnished with bed, closet, desk, dresser and lamps. There are no TVs, phones or lift though. The flat is cleaned every few days, and the rooms are cleaned when you check out. The only complaint I had was that they give you a sleep sac thing instead of a set of sheets and I found it very uncomfortable. But if you are staying a week or so there is a discount type store about a block away that sells sheets for about £10 so you could just buy some and leave them and you would still save so much over any hotel or B&B in Edinburgh. The blanket and pillow were great. If you are going to be in Edinburgh in July or August this place is a steal.