Morningside lies within the City of Edinburgh, about 2 miles south of the city centre. It is an ‘Urban Village’ with excellent shopping and other amenities. It forms part of Meadows/Morningside ward. Boundaries are from Newbattle Terrace / Morningside Place in the north to the south edge of Braidburn Valley Park / Riselaw Crescent in the south, and from Craighouse Road / Greenbank Road in the west to Canaan Lane / the west boundary of the Astley Ainslie Hospital / Blackford Hill in the east

Road A702 passes through Morningside. The area is well served by buses. Nos 5, 11, 15, 16, 23, 36 and 38 all travel through the area. 

Though the centre of Morningside is a busy built-up area, Morningside Community Council also covers an extensive open area to the south comprising the Braid Hills, Blackford Hill and lying between them the Hermitage of Braid. This provides residents with a wealth of outdoor recreation.