Help!! Canonmills (Broughton Primary) or Willowbrae (Parsons Green Primary School)

[tyketyler]

Hi , my first post here.

We are trying for our first, and in the process of relocating to Edinburgh.

We like two small houses which are:

A very quiet place in Canonmills, near to the large Tescos on Broughton Road - dead end cul-de-sac. Some pretty minor works required and perhaps we could knock down a wall and open up the place a little bit.

The other is on a small road on the hill in Willowbrae, close to Holyrood Park and up from London Road (A1) - some relatively minor through traffic - occasional, every minute or so - using as a rat run I'd guess. Finished to high standard.

The are both more or less the same price, same size, same era (1930s). The one near Holyrood Park is more attractive on the outside, has patio doors, wood burning stove and has had the open-plan treatment. However, has some traffic noise (light, occasional) at front and a slightly smaller garden at rear.

We know nothing of the areas

We took our bikes to Canonmills, loved the cycle paths and could see some local cafes etc in the area. We didn't like the very busy A1 near Willowbrae, but did like Holyrood Park - wow! We didn't see many cafes and such around Willowbrae.

The schools are

Broughton Primary (feeding into Drummond Community) for Canonmills

Parsons Green Primary (feeding into Portobello) for Willowbrae.

I will be working in Leith as of next week

Seems bus options are simpler (no. 36) for Canonmills and the dedicated bike path would certainly allow a safe sustainable commute, and make me feel happier taking baby along to crèche. Commute via bus would be 20mins. Cycle in 15 perhaps.

From Willowbrae I'd take the no. 34 or the no. 5 then the no. 22 up to Leith. Both options are around 35 mins, I think. The cycling options don't appear as clear cut and will involve some street cycling, I think.

I'd be so grateful for some local knowledge, or general Edinburgh perspective on the places I'm talking about.

Thanks :-)
Tyke

...are Upper Hermitage Primary & Leith Academy any good?

Some interesting properties around Leith Links, and that'd work for me in terms of the commute!

I've worked at Both schools you mention in your first post. Broughton felt huge but seemed to have a good ethos and friends who work there are still happy. Parsons Green is a nice school too. Smaller building wise, but a good head and smallish classes too.

My friend's daughter is going to Broughton High after the summer not Drummond from Broughton PS.

I've heard nice things about Hermitage Park. They have a new head who I've worked with and she was good, so the school will be fine as well.

I think we're going to go with Parsons Green. We prefer the house and it's well connected by public transport and has Holyrood Park right next door.

thanks GrooveeCar :-)

glad you have managed to make a decision. Its always so hard.

Tuppence worth.... Apart from Holyrood park, there are no facilities around there. A couple of pretty grim pubs and shops. The area is fairly rough. If you move to Canonmills, it is a fast, safe and lovely cycle to leith along the old railway, and you have excellent facilities of every kind right very nearby in smart stockbridge and the city centre. Plus the botanic gardens are right there for green space. No contest. honestly. Best of luck in your new life.

Cannonmills is a nice area. It's near Stockbridge and you also have the botanic gardens close.
Close to town and easy access to transport.
Don't know about the schools though as I have no personal experiance but I have hear through the grapevine broughton primary is lovely

Can't comment on the schools really but in terms of areas I would choose Canonmills over Willowbrae too.

Well, I never thought I would register on Mumsnet, but I saw this discussion and wanted to give my opinion!

I live in Willowbrae, on the hill, and have lived in the general area for nearly 4 years. Yes, it doesn't have the shops/boutiques/cafes of Stockbridge, but it has other things to offer those who have other priorities. Plus, you save a lot of money when you're not tempted by these things!

There are a lot of very well-off people and young families in Willowbrae. I certainly wouldn't say it is any rougher than parts of Canonmills and I have never felt unsafe!

Some great points:

1. Holyrood Park - no explanation needed. Great for kids learning to ride bikes, walks, picnics etc. Plus, a 25-minute walk or 10-min cycle away there is the cafe at the Palace and the Pizza Express at Holyrood. We use both a lot. You can also walk to the Royal Mile through beautiful surroundings in half an hour.

1. Duddingston - the village is a 25-min walk away and has the lovely Sheep Heid pub. Always feels like a day out even though it's so close.

1. Portobello - It's only a 10-min bus ride or 20 minute cycle along bike paths (Innocent Railway line) to Portobello and the beach. Here there ARE nice shops, cafes, restaurants, if that's your bag. There's the swimming pool too.

1. Meadowbank Stadium - Excellent sports facilities and gym on your doorstep, plus a small soft-play area.

1. Buses - Lots of buses go past Willowbrae (4, 5, 26, 44, 45, 113), so it's really convenient for getting into town. (I would argue easier than Canonmills/Stockbridge, which are not well-served.)

1. There is a Morrisons 5 minutes in one direction and the Meadowbank retail park 5 minutes in the other direction, with Sainsbury's, some cheap home stores and TK Maxx, which is very handy.

1. Willowbrae is a bit of a well-kept secret. There are some stunning houses in the area that are a lot cheaper than most other areas of the city. We would never have been able to afford a house elsewhere.

1. Cycling - yes it is not that well connected for cycle paths, but you can cycle to Leith along Lochend road in 15 minutes max. You can also take the no 34 or no 19 bus from behind the stadium to Leith.

1. I've heard good things about Parsons Green School and know of people who have tried to buy in the area to get into the school.

I hope that helps!