It lies approximately 3 miles (5 km) due south of the city centre and borders Midlothian.

The area comprises the neighbourhoods of Buckstone, Caiyside, Caiystane, Swanston, Frogston and Winton.

This area contains some of the most expensive houses in Edinburgh, with an average home value of £362,798 and the most expensive streets being Frogston Road West (average £955,118), Margaret Rose Loan (£595,298) and Galachlaw Shot (£586,754).

[2] The eastern part of Fairmilehead contained the Princess Margaret Rose Orthopaedic Hospital from 1932 to 2002, when it was demolished to make way for new luxury housing.

Scottish Water retain offices there, adjacent to the Charwood Grill restaurant (previously Tusitala[3] Italian restaurant, which was named in recognition of Robert Louis Stevenson's connections with the area).