STAY : The very tranquil escape onboard the Four Sisters Camillia Boatel, Union Canal, Edinburgh

There ain’t no bobbing along here, just peace and relaxation. The Four Sisters Camillia Boatel is a wide beam canal barge moored at the Lochrin Basin, Union Canal in Edinburgh and if you are after a tranquil escape in the middle of this bustling city, then book a night here.

When you enter the Lochrin Basin just off Fountainbrigde, there is no missing these two lime green barges moored just beyond the bevy of cast bronze swans. The barges have their own gate and walkway.

ACCOMMODATION REVIEW OF THE FOUR SISTERS CAMILLiA BOATEL, EDINBURGH

Natalie, our wonderful host owns these two gorgeous barges - The Four Sisters and Camillia. Both are different in size with Camillia being the larger.

The entire interior is decorated to a high standard with the colour theme of yellow and green running throughout the barge giving it a warmth and a feeling of easy flow from one room to the next.

There are some homely touches such as cozy tartan blankets, bottled water, coffee table books on exploring Edinburgh and board games available to play.

WiFi is available although 4g signal is strong too, and you can easily log onto Amazon and Netflix on the 43 inch plasma screen in the lounge or on one of the smaller TV’s available in two of the bedrooms. Everything is really easy to connect too, even Alexa listens to your commands!

Camillia can sleep up to 8 people.

  • Bedroom 1 - with 2 adult bunk beds

  • Bedroom 2 - with a double bed

  • Master bedroom - with a king size bed

  • Lounge - double sleeper sofa

We tried out the Master bed and the Double. Both were extremely comfortable with luxurious cotton bedsheets and a mixture of pillows from soft to hard.

Sleep came easy and this boat makes for a relaxing stay. I thought that with it being a boat, you’d feel the motion of the water, but I honestly couldn’t tell the difference between being on the water or on land. Luckily, we had a most calm night with no wind and no rain so the water was extremely still. All the better for a great nights sleep.

The shower room and WC is so unexpected for a barge and was a large space. The shower is 5ft high and has loads of room. Very modern with complimentary toiletries. The shower is decent and you’ll get a great wash in here!

It has a fully kitted out and well equipped kitchen with gas hob, oven, microwave and fridge. There are 3 eating areas on the boat- the breakfast bar in the kitchen, and outdoor decking seating and BBQ area which can host up to 8 people.

You can arrange for a food and drink hamper to be delivered so that you have something for breakfast. I love that Natalie has fostered relationships with local food and drink businesses to bring the best of Scottish food and drink to your doorstep. Local suppliers include Edinburgh Butter Co, Puddledub Dry Cured Bacon, Corrie Mains Scottish Eggs, Mossgiel Organic Milk and Company Bakery Sourdough. These are some of the BEST suppliers in and around Edinburgh.

Mr TartanSpoon and I chose to use this wee staycation as a date night and opted for a wee bottle of Prosecco for me, some whisky for him, hotdogs and a night in front of the telly watching Netflix as we snuggled under the tartan blanket. It was bloody perfect.

In the morning, although the day was dreich, it was lovely to pop the kettle on the stove, plate up the pastries and bring the freshly made coffee into the master bedroom, where we watched canal life wake up. There was a school group of young kids with their teacher heading along the canal as well as a bicycle tour which stopped right by the barge. A very bustling place to be in the mornings.

This boatel caters for your every whim, from luxurious soft furnishings to the little added extras like fishing rods and wireless headphones.

Camillia Boatel is a delight. You honestly would never know that you were in the middle of city, but instead bobbing along some quiet meandering canal in the countryside.


Things to note about Camillia Boatel

  • The boatel is dog friendly

  • You can hire Camillia for a one hour tour of the canal or as an optional extra part of your stay

  • The boatel can be used as accommodation but is also a flexible enough space for events

  • Overnight parking is free from 530pm-830am otherwise its paid for parking

  • There is a Tesco Extra around the corner so easy enough to pick up some groceries

  • Princes Street is approx 10 minutes walk away

  • Bus stop is about 10m away

  • And the area around Camillia Boatel is filled with lovely artisan cafes, restaurants and bars


The Four Sisters Camillia Boatel, Lochrin Basin Edinburgh EH3 9QP www.thefoursisters.co.uk

My Spoon Award : Gold 9/10

I was invited by the Four Sisters Boatel to review their accommodation. Accommodation was complimentary but the views are very much my own.