Where to drink
Bridge Inn
Over in the nearby village of Ratho you’ll find the ever popular Bridge Inn. Famous for its summer barbeques out on the terrace in the warmer months, this terrific gastropub is the ultimate relaxation tonic when you need to wind down before or after a long flight. Serving wines, beers, cocktails and of course plenty of scotch whisky, this riverside delight is also hotel. And yet another one we’d highly recommend. Only 10mins from the airport.
27 Baird Rd, Ratho, EH28 8RA
www.bridgeinn.com/
The Hawes Inn
This charming little pub in the seaside retreat of South Queensferry is so completely immersed in local culture that it actually features in Robert Louis Stevenson’s famous novel ‘Kidnapped’. With a pub garden for the summer and a roaring fireplace ready for the winter, the Hawes is welcoming at anytime of the year. The food is great – especially the pizzas – and once again, you can even book a room here if you like.
7 Newhalls Rd, Queensferry, EH30 9TA
www.vintageinn.co.uk/content/vintage-inn/en/restaurants/scotland-northern-ireland/thehawesinnsouthqueensferry
The Ferry Tap
Boasting no less than 52 single malt scotches on their backbar, this pub is a must visit if you’re in the area. Also located in South Queensferry, the Ferry Tap is so named as it used to be a popular haunt of the river Forth’s ferrymen. Having lost none of its ancient charm, this quaint little pub is dark, broody but oh so welcoming. It only takes around 15mins to reach in a minicab from the airport. So there’s no reason not to visit.
36 High St, South Queensferry EH30 9HN
www.ferrytap.co.uk/
Where to eat
Ushers
If you’re already staying at the Norton House Hotel then good for you, as this is your local restaurant. If you’re not, then it’s well worth a visit just for the privilege. Its stunning candlelit dining room is both snug and welcoming. While the food is just on whole other level. Serving “classic British dishes with a contemporary twist”, they boast an impressive wine list to match. If you can book ahead, it’ll probably serve you well.
Norton House Hotel & Spa, 1 Ingliston Rd, Newbridge EH28 8LX
www.handpickedhotels.co.uk/nortonhouse/eat-and-drink/services/ushers-restaurant
The Wee Restaurant
Getting here means crossing the Forth bridge into North Queensferry. But considering that’s only a 20min minicab journey, and that this restaurant serves up some real local delights, why not? This delightful, family run venture has enjoyed so much success of late, that they’ve actually just opened up a second restaurant in Edinburgh city centre. The restaurant is indeed wee with just 40 covers, so it’s definitely a good idea to book ahead if you can.
17 Main St, North Queensferry, Inverkeithing KY11 1JG
www.theweerestaurant.co.uk/
Cramond Falls Cafe
By the side of a converted grain mill, that was thought to have been built in the 17th century, lies this delightful cafe. A basic menu that only really caters for light lunches, it’s worth visiting if you’ve got the time and fancy taking in the sights of Cramond Falls themselves. The cafe terrace sits just on the side of the river & is unbelievably picturesque. There’s also a B&B if you need somewhere to get your head down for the evening.
Cockle Mill, School Brae, EH4 6JN
www.cramondfalls.co.uk/
Where to stay
Hotel du Vin
This one’s for anyone who’s got a flight to catch but is ready to throw caution to the wind and still rather stay in Edinburgh city centre. And given that it’s only a 25min minicab journey away from the airport, we think you’d be hard pressed to find anywhere with this much character. Hotel du Vin doubles as both a delightful french bistro and wine bar, and as a boutique hotel. The rooms are suitably chic and start at £122 p/n.
Snoozebox
What happens when you cram all the luxury of a regular hotel room into just 50 square feet? It sounds like a recipe for disaster. But the Snoozebox hotel, which we’ll admit does look like a roadside cafe from the year 2120, is a cheap alternative to pricey hotels when all you need is somewhere to rest your head. Capable of sleeping two adults and a child at a time. They come complete with bathroom and LCD TV. As well as wifi & air conditioning. Prices start at just £79 p/n.
Royal Highlands Centre, Fairview Rd, Inglinson, Newbridge EH28 8NB
Norton House Hotel & Spa
At the other end of the luxury spectrum, there’s the Norton House Hotel. This princely abode is probably the best place you can stay that’s truly close to the airport. But you’ll have to pay a handsome sum for the privilege. Set on 55 acres of unspoilt land. An indoor pool, sauna, steam rooms, gym, and access to the golf course are all part of the package so the spa certainly doesn’t disappoint. See above (Usher’s) for news on how good the restaurant is. Rooms start at £168 p/n.
