FAQS
Frequently asked questions
General & Booking
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Yes. Gilmerton House is hired on an exclusive-use basis, with the house and grounds reserved privately for you and your guests throughout your stay.
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Gilmerton House offers twelve individually appointed double bedrooms across the main house and The Gardener’s Cottage, accommodating up to twenty-four resident adults. The accommodation included with your stay will be confirmed in your proposal.
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The hire fee includes exclusive use of the accommodation and estate facilities set out in your proposal, including the principal reception rooms, guest kitchen, gardens, woodland walks and private driving range. Catering, organised activities and any optional accommodation are arranged separately unless specifically included in your quotation.
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Yes. Gilmerton offers privacy and exclusive use for corporate retreats, board meetings and private group stays, with elegant reception rooms, private dining, meeting spaces and extensive gardens.
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Yes. Minimum stay requirements vary depending on the dates and nature of the booking. Most private stays are based on a minimum of two or three nights, while weddings are generally offered as a three-night exclusive-use stay. The applicable minimum will be confirmed when you enquire.
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Yes. We welcome up to two well-behaved dogs during your stay. Dogs are permitted on the ground floor only, should not be left unattended, and are not allowed on the furniture.
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Once your dates and requirements have been discussed, we will issue a personalised proposal and booking agreement. Your reservation is confirmed when the signed agreement and 40% deposit have been received.
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A booking is confirmed on receipt of the signed booking agreement and a non-refundable deposit of 40% of the hire fee. The remaining 60% is due two months before arrival. Full payment dates and terms are set out in the booking agreement issued with each proposal.
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Yes. High-speed fibre optic broadband is available throughout the property.
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Yes. There is ample private parking available on the estate for resident guests and visitors.
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Yes. We’re happy to recommend local experiences, restaurants, golf courses, transport providers and trusted suppliers before your arrival.
Accommodation
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Gilmerton House has ten individually appointed double bedrooms in the main house, with two further double bedrooms in The Gardener’s Cottage – twelve in total, accommodating up to twenty-four resident adults.
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All bedrooms include fresh linens, towels and robes, Weaver Green throws, amenities from Verden, ironing facilities, a hairdryer, USB ports, travel adapters, a safety deposit box, and a Roberts DAB radio.
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Subject to availability, The Gardener’s Cottage may be booked independently at selected times of year or added to a wider stay at Gilmerton House. It has two double bedrooms, a shared bathroom, kitchenette and private entrance, accommodating up to four resident guests.
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As a historic Georgian house, access within the main house is limited in places. The ground floor of The Gardener’s Cottage offers step-free accommodation, including an accessible bedroom and bathroom, and The Laundry House is also accessible. Guests with specific requirements should contact the team before booking so that the available arrangements can be discussed.
Food & Drink
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Catering is not included in the house hire fee and is arranged separately. Gilmerton House works exclusively with The Edinburgh Catering Company for catered stays, weddings and events. Their team will work with you directly to discuss menus, drinks, dietary requirements and all catering arrangements. Arrangements will depend on the nature of your stay and will be discussed as part of your proposal.
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Resident guests are welcome to use the guest kitchen to prepare meals and refreshments for their own group. Self-catering is not permitted for weddings, events or gatherings involving non-resident guests. Catering for these occasions is provided exclusively by The Edinburgh Catering Company.
Weddings
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Yes. Gilmerton hosts a limited number of exclusive-use weddings each year, with accommodation in the house and a choice of ceremony and reception settings including the Music Room, The Laundry House and the gardens.
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The Music Room seats up to 80 guests for a ceremony or 50 for a seated meal. The Laundry House can host up to 120 guests for a ceremony or 100 for a seated meal.
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Outdoor ceremonies can be arranged in selected areas of the gardens, subject to prior agreement and suitable weather. Marquee celebrations may also be possible in designated areas of the estate, with the location and practical requirements agreed in advance.
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All wedding food and drink is provided by Gilmerton’s exclusive catering partner, The Edinburgh Catering Company. Their team will work with you directly on menus, tastings, drinks and dietary requirements, and on running the catered elements of your celebration.
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Yes, we are happy to recommend trusted florists, photographers, musicians and other suppliers who know Gilmerton well. We do not offer an in-house wedding planning service, though The Edinburgh Catering Company manages all food and drink throughout the celebration, and we can also recommend independent wedding planners for more comprehensive support.
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Yes. Our wedding booklet provides an overview of accommodation, ceremony and reception spaces, catering and wedding stays at Gilmerton House. It can be requested through the enquiry form, and private viewings or video calls can also be arranged.
Golf & Activities
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Yes. Gilmerton welcomes private golf groups and international golf travel groups, with accommodation for up to twenty-four resident adults and easy access to Muirfield, North Berwick, Gullane, The Renaissance Club and other leading East Lothian courses. The private driving range and flexible dining arrangements make the house particularly well suited to golf stays.
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Guests can enjoy the gardens, woodland walks, garden games and the private driving range during their stay. A range of additional activities can also be arranged, including clay pigeon shooting, Highland games, archery, whisky tasting, falconry and foraging. Organised activities are generally charged separately and are subject to availability.
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Yes. Beyond the estate’s own activities, we can help arrange more personal experiences such as private chefs, whisky tastings, falconry displays, massage and yoga. These are tailored to your group and arranged in advance.
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Non-golfers can explore North Berwick and the East Lothian coast, enjoy the estate, visit castles, gardens and historic attractions, or take part in organised activities while others are on the course. Gilmerton works well for mixed groups.
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Gilmerton sits on Scotland’s Golf Coast, close to North Berwick, East Lothian’s beaches and a number of historic houses and castles. The area is also known for its coastal walks, boat trips and local whisky and gin distilleries, with Edinburgh within easy reach for a day exploring the city.
Location
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Gilmerton House is in the East Lothian countryside, close to North Berwick and approximately 40 minutes from Edinburgh. The estate sits on Scotland’s Golf Coast, within easy reach of the area’s beaches, towns and leading golf courses. Full directions can be found here.
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Gilmerton House is approximately 40 minutes from central Edinburgh and Edinburgh Airport by car. The nearest railway stations include Drem and East Linton, with regular services to Edinburgh Waverley. Private transfers and larger group transport can also be arranged.
History & Sustainability
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Gilmerton House has been home to the Kinloch family since Sir Francis Kinloch purchased the estate in 1655, and is now home to the thirteenth generation of the family. Read more about Gilmerton’s history here.
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Gilmerton House is heated using wood collected from the estate through a biomass system, reflecting a long-standing commitment to responsible estate management. This approach was recognised with the Green Tourism Gold Award in 2017. Sustainability also guides the ongoing restoration and management of the wider estate.
