Varcity South Inspired by the superb situation of Varcity, in one of the most open, pleasant areas of the capital, the architects and landscape designers have created a superb green environment where crisp modern buildings and verdant open spaces harmonise in a setting that has both a twenty-first century edge and a timeless tranquility.
Varcity is just a short walk from the renowned Royal Botanic Gardens, and equidistant from the Georgian elegance of the New Town to the south and the exciting new waterfront developments along the shore of the Forth to the north. Perfectly positioned for access to some of Edinburgh’s most peaceful and relaxing places, as well as having rapid road access to all parts of the city and beyond.
Live entertainment
From folk music in pubs to full orchestral concerts in the Usher hall, from drama world premieres at the Traverse to major international touring shows at the Playhouse, Edinburgh has one of the liveliest programmes of live entertainment to be found anywhere. Whatever your taste, bluegrass music or workshop theatre, stadium rock or club football, you’ll find Edinburgh a stimulating and captivating environment all the year round. And in summer, when the city hosts a series of major festivals, including the International, the vast Festival Fringe and the oldest continuous Film Festival in the world, the atmosphere becomes electric, almost magical.
Restaurants and bars
Edinburgh has one of the most exciting selections of bars and restaurants in the country, and nearby Stockbridge is one of the city’s most cosmopolitan quarters, with traditional bars, chic bistros and lively cafés. The city’s large student population and its summer festivals bring an avant garde, bohemian flavour that blends with cuisine of the highest quality and superb traditional bars to ensure that every taste and budget is covered.
Café life
Celebrated as Edinburgh’s most cosmopolitan quarter, Stockbridge has a liberal, youthful ambience that attracts students, artists and media professionals.
The area’s lively bars and cafés, international delis and exciting, colourful atmosphere present a lively forum in which locals and visitors meet to browse in the unusual specialist shops, enjoy a cappuccino and a cheesecake or watch the world go by over a cold beer.
Capital shopping
There are local convenience shops within a few minutes walk of Varcity, and a Waitrose supermarket nearby in Comely Bank Road. Stockbridge has the finest selection of butchers, international greengrocers, delicatessens and specialist shops in the city. The nearby retail park at Craigleith includes Boots, Marks and Spencer ‘Simply Food’, Sainsbury’s and the city centre, especially George Street and Multrees Walk, have become a focal point for fashion shopping ranging from the traditional elegance to vibrant, leading outlets like Harvey Nichols, Reiss, Armani, G-Star, Calvin Klein and many more.
Green Edinburgh and beyond
Edinburgh has many wonderful and surprising open places, including the magnificent collections of the Royal Botanic Gardens and the windswept Arthur’s Seat, Princes Street Gardens, the Forth shoreline and the delightful riverside walks along the Water of Leith. There are also many excellent cycle routes through and out of the city leading north to Fife, south into the wild tracts of the Pentland Hills and west along pleasant canal towpaths all the way to Glasgow.
Varcity
From the beautiful landscapes and breathtaking glasshouses of the Royal Botanic Gardens, a unique collection of flora from throughout the world, to the Water of Leith’s riverside walks extending from the Forth shoreline to the Pentland Hills and providing habitats for herons, swans and even kingfishers, Edinburgh is rich in opportunities to enjoy diverse, inspiring natural surroundings.