Edinburgh
Many people come to Edinburgh for the Fringe. But Susie, Georgina, Wendy, and Caroline came to explore Leith, where the trams ring their bells on Constitution Street. Marchmont, where a morning walk leads to a latte on Barclay Place. And Portobello, where the coastal walk to Musselburgh clears your mind.
1,591 Edinburgh sits
confirmed in 2025
£165 per night saved*
on hotel costs
Up to 88% less emissions**
versus hotel stays
Second most popular
city in the UK
Susie’s Leith itinerary
Coffee
Get a coffee at Rocksalt Cafe on Constitution Street. Sit outside in the warmer months and watch the trams roll past. It feels like being in mainland Europe.
Cafes
Around The Shore, short walks in every direction lead to independent cafes. Susie recommends trying a different one every morning of the week.
Nature
Leith Links, with its wide-open greenery, is a true locals' park right in the middle of the neighborhood.
Waterfront
Go to The Shore for a lovely view of the Firth of Forth. It’s a short walk from the cafes and stores, and makes Edinburgh feel like a completely different city.
Walk
Head along the coast from Leith to Portobello or up to Calton Hill. Both are easy to reach on foot and feel a world away from the Royal Mile.
Shopping
Around The Shore, you’ll find a lot of shops and supermarkets. Everything you need, basically.
Getting around
The tram runs from the bottom of Leith Walk straight up to Princes Street and on to the airport. Cafes, stores, and supermarkets are all within walking distance.
Susie - Leith explorer
Susie lives in Thornhill, Scotland, and has completed 14 sits in Edinburgh. Leith is one of her favorite neighborhoods. "I love getting a coffee at Rocksalt Cafe on Constitution Street. In the warmer months, you can sit outside and watch the trams and their distinctive bell." Susie has saved an estimated £1,155 on hote costs during her week’s stay.*
Georgina’s Marchmont itinerary
Coffee
Go to Modern Standard Coffee on Barclay Place. It’s a female-founded neighborhood cafe with one of the most affordable (and best) lattes in Edinburgh.
Brunch
The seasonal French toast at Argyle Place has never failed to impress.
Walk
The Meadows is a great park for a morning run or walk.
Lunch
Order the pickle platter and a selection of seasonal small plates at Mara’s Picklery. The menu is handwritten, changes daily, and feels personal.
View point
Visit Blackford Hill for views over Edinburgh and Arthur's Seat. And don’t forget the Hermitage of Braid for a peaceful afternoon away from the crowds.
Shopping
Work your way down Bruntsfield Place and Morningside Road. You’ll find prints by local artists at Atlas Gifts, the best sweet treats at Edward and Irwyn Chocolatiers, and loads of thrift stores and boutiques along the way.
Dinner
For an unassuming Asian fusion spot loved by locals, go to Pomelo near The Meadows. It’s charming, cozy, and incredibly good.
Georgina - Marchmont explorer
Georgina has completed 17 sits across Scotland, and did a pet sit in Marchmont in May 2022. "I feel like a local by going for a morning run around The Meadows and saying hi to fellow runners as I pass. I was seeing a side of the city that you wouldn't experience by walking around during peak times." Georgina has saved an estimated £330 on hotel costs during their two-day stay.*
Wendy’s Portobello itinerary
Brunch
Wendy's go-to for a relaxed morning meal by the coast is Oasis on Portobello High Street.
Bookstore
On Leith Walk, you’ll find some good independent bookstores, like Argonaut Books and St. Columba's Hospice Bookshop.
Walk
The Pentland Hills are very dog-friendly and easy to reach by bus. The coastal stretch from Portobello to Musselburgh is lovely too.
Dinner
Kismot is a true local favorite. She also recommends Herringbone on London Road, and The Mosque Kitchen near Surgeon's Hall for an affordable, filling meal.
Greek food
Spitaki and Ella are both worth seeking out. According to Wendy, Edinburgh's Greek restaurant scene is underrated and growing fast.
Dessert
Krema Bakehouse on Leith Walk is Wendy's top pick after trying most of what Edinburgh has to offer.
Run club
Edinburgh Running Network is a friendly run club that welcomes everyone - even if you’re just visiting. Bonus: there’s always a sociable coffee at the end.
Wendy - Portobello explorer
Wendy lives in Tyros, Greece, and has completed nine sits in Edinburgh. She’s built an entire life around the city through TrustedHousesitters since retiring. "TrustedHousesitters has given me the chance to get to know new areas that I would never have explored otherwise. I have joined a running group in Edinburgh, which has been amazing. They are really friendly and are happy to have people come along if they are just visiting."
Caroline’s Bruntsfield itinerary
Coffee
Project Coffee on Bruntsfield Place is Caroline’s first stop every morning. It’s bustling, vibrant, and you’ll be served unpretentious food and brilliant coffee.
Brunch
Try Söderberg on Simpson Loan for a Scandinavian-style brunch.
Snack
Grab a sausage roll from the Max Bakes Gourmet Sausage Rolls van near The Meadows.
Bookstore
Tills Bookshop on Hope Park Cres is an amazing used bookstore.
Thrift shopping
Bruntsfield has quite a few good thrift shops, and The Bethany Shop near Summerhall is great for bargain-hunting.
Arts
Summerhall is a must-see. A cafe, exhibitions, live music, a weekly life drawing class, a drop-in writing group... It’s the kind of place that makes a neighborhood feel like a community.
Evening out
Go to The Cameo for a film, then have dinner at Chaskaa Indian Restaurant, and finish at Bennets Bar for a nightcap. A great evening out without leaving the area.
Caroline - Bruntsfield explorer
Caroline is based in Aberdeen and has completed ten sits in Edinburgh. "Spending time at Summerhall is always a worthwhile experience, and feels like a great way to support a vital amenity in the area.” Caroline sat in Bruntsfield in October 2024 for 25 nights, saving an estimated £4,125 on hotel costs.*
More Edinburgh gems
Find even more things to do in Edinburgh with our own handy Edinburgh travel guide.
Explore Edinburgh with a pet by your side
From Leith to Marchmont to Portobello, find your next Edinburgh pet sit and discover the neighborhoods the festival crowds don’t always reach.
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Frequently asked questions
*How did you calculate the statistic on amount of money saved?
Estimated savings are calculated by multiplying the duration of each sitter's stay by the average nightly hotel rate for that city. There is no nightly accommodation rate for TrustedHousesitters members. These figures are illustrative and based on city-level averages; actual hotel costs vary by location, season and room type. Wendy's stay duration was not recorded, so no estimated saving is shown. Edinburgh Average Daily Rate (ADR): £165/night, full-year 2025 (occupancy 84.6%, +3.19% year on year). Source: Colliers Hotel Development Index 2026, which ranks 35 UK locations across nine indicators including land prices, build costs, occupancy, ADR and investor appetite. Underlying data from CoStar/STR. https://www.colliers.com/en-gb/research/hotels-index-2026
**How did you calculate the statistic on accommodation-related emissions?
Based on the following assumptions: 1. All nights are spent in the UK 2. All nights spent pet sitting would have otherwise been spent in a large hotel. UK hotel energy usage information gathered from the Department of Environment and Utility Bidder. UK home energy usage information gathered from Ofgem. CO2e costs gathered from carbon accounting software compliant with GHG protocol and GRI standards. Information up to date in December 2023 and specific to the UK.
How does TrustedHousesitters work?
Our platform connects pet parents with sitters who like to spend time with wonderful pets and experience new places. There’s an annual subscription for both pet parents and sitters to join our community. This gives everyone unlimited access to our site. So pet parents can post multiple dates to find a sitter throughout the year. And sitters can apply to as many sits as they want and connect with many different pet parents.
Do I get paid to house sit while I travel?
No, our members are driven by a genuine love of pets, not money. They exchange loving pet care for a place to stay on their travels, gaining a wealth of experiences and memories to last a lifetime.
Both pet parents and sitters pay for an annual membership to get access to our platform and connect with each other, but no money changes hands between members.
Essentially, all that’s exchanged between pet parents and sitters is trust. Sitters get to stay in cool locations near and far, caring for pets while pet parents travel.
So we know everyone is here for the same reason: their never-ending love for pets and travel.
How do I become a house sitter?
The first thing to do is to register for free. Once you’ve registered, you can explore our platform and decide which membership plan is right for you. We offer three annual memberships – Basic, Standard and Premium.
After you’ve chosen and paid for your membership, you can create your profile. This is your chance to introduce yourself, describe your experience with pets and add external references. Your membership also covers the cost of getting verified – we recommend doing this as soon as possible to build trust with pet parents.
When you’re all set up, you can search for listings that match the dates you want to sit. You can also set up a saved search and we’ll notify you when house sitting opportunities become available for your dates.
When you find the ideal sit, you can apply by writing a personalized message to the pet parent, explaining why you’re the perfect sitter.
Find out more with 10 tips on how to become a house sitter.
What are my tasks while house sitting?
Your number one priority when house sitting will be taking care of the pets. Pet parents will give you clear instructions about daily walks, feeding times, playtime and cuddles. You’ll also send daily updates to them, so they know their pets are happy and enjoying their time with you.
As a house sitter, you need to keep the home you stay in clean and tidy too. Pet parents may also ask you to water plants, take out the rubbish and recycling, and collect the post for example.
We ask all pet parents to fill in a Welcome Guide with important details and instructions. We’ll share this document with you as soon as the sit is confirmed.
What if pets have very specific needs?
When you browse listings, make sure you read the details in the sitter’s responsibilities section. Pet parents usually list all their pets’ needs and requirements there – whether it’s giving them a pill with their food or an insulin shot.
This should help you decide whether you have the experience to meet specific pet needs.
We also recommend meeting pet parents face to face or via video to discuss responsibilities and expectations before you confirm a sit.