Business and lifestyle in Edinburgh’s south side

If you’re new to Edinburgh, how do you decide which part of town to set up home in? 

Many are drawn to areas such as Stockbridge and Leith, for their very different kinds of urban charm. But for others, the south side of Edinburgh tops the wish list, thanks to its collection of some of the city’s finest and most desirable residential locations, such as Morningside, The Grange, Marchmont and Bruntsfield. 

As well as the draw of attractive properties, the area ticks a lot of other boxes for prospective homeowners, including good transport links and schools, and plenty of green space for walking the dog.

It’s also not short of things to do and places to go, with loads of cafés, restaurants and shops. Film buffs moving to Morningside will be pleased to hear that it has a much-loved cinema. The Dominion, which opened its doors in 1938, has welcomed famous visitors over the years, such as Cary Grant, Jude Law, Julie Walters, Alan Rickman and Sigourney Weaver. 

And for those who like their bars quirky, The Canny Man’s, a favourite locale since 1871, is likely to fit the bill.  Many tales – some apocryphal – have been told about The Canny Man’s over the years, often about its idiosyncratic door policy and approach to customer service. However, some of the tales, including those about the kindness of its late, legendary host, Watson Kerr, are definitely true.

The property search 

Locating the right property on the south side starts with finding the right estate agent. A firm that has good local knowledge can make all the difference. 

One of Edinburgh’s best-known names in the property sector, Rettie, is soon to open a new office, on Morningside Road, due to client interest in the area’s homes.

The new south-side office, scheduled to open in May, brings Rettie’s total number of offices in Scotland to 11. This will be the agency’s third in the capital: it already has two in the New Town – one on Wemyss Place and another on Jamaica Street.  Morningside Road will also be the first of its branches to offer a combination of services, including financial services, as well as property sales and lettings.

Associate director in the new branch, Laura Mathieson, is one of a team of eight-10 people who will be based at Morningside Road.

Commenting on the forthcoming opening, Laura says: “We understand that property decisions are among the most significant financial commitments that our clients make.

“That’s why we’re expanding, with this new branch, bringing our sales, lettings and financial-services teams even closer to the community and ensuring a seamless and stress-free experience for all our clients.

“According to Rightmove Plus, we sold more properties worth over £350,000, in EH9 and EH10, in 2024, than any other agents, so we know how sought-after this area is.

“Our lettings service is also an integral part of our business in the south side, providing landlords with dedicated support, proactive communication and flexible management options to maximise their investment.

“Alongside our property services, our financial-services team helps clients secure the right mortgage and protection solutions. Whether they are first-time buyers, refinancing or investing in buy-to-let property, we provide tailored advice on mortgages, remortgages and insurance, ensuring they get the right deal for their property ‘journey’.

She concludes: “We take pride in delivering a professional, efficient service with a commitment to achieving first-class results.”

Rettie offers a free, no-obligation consultation for potential buyers; homeowners looking to find out about the value of their property; and for movers seeking to explore mortgage options.

Some of the properties for sale through Rettie at the moment include a five-bedroom, three-bathroom, south-facing Edwardian villa on Grange Loan (offers over £995,000) and close to the Pentland Hills, a five-bedroom, three bathroom detached home over two floors is on the market, for offers over £1,195,000. 

Those who are not yet looking for their forever home might like to know that there are also short-let properties available in the area, that could be perfect for a Festival stay. These include a three-bedroom apartment close to the Meadows, from £125 per night  and a family home, with three bedrooms on Merchiston Crescent, from £117 per night. Sponsored

Left to right, Rettie's Bob Duncan (financial services), Laura Mathieson (sales) and Rob Trotter, (lettings)

South-side business 

The south side is not only a great place to live - it's also a good location for businesses, says Richard O’Donnell, founder of insurance repairs and property-renovation specialists, INSUREPAIR ®:

“We chose the south side of Edinburgh as the base for our business, as it is a vibrant area with strong links to the local community, which is important to us. The mix of students, professionals and families creates the kind of atmosphere that is difficult not to like.

“Importantly for us as a business, the area is well-connected, with easy access to both the city centre and the surrounding areas, making it ideal for attracting new customers, as well as servicing our current client base.

“We’re proud to be part of the south-side community, and we understand the importance of supporting local residents and businesses when they face unexpected damage to their properties.”

Summing up the attractions of this area of the city for him personally, Richard explains:

“My favourite part of the south side has to be the Meadows, which I drive past pretty much every day.

“It’s the heart of the community, where you’ll see everything from students picnicking in the summer to families out for walks and people playing pitch and putt.

“It’s only a matter of minutes from Princes Street and the Royal Mile yet is a special green space that offers a break from the hustle and bustle of city life where people can unwind.”