559 - I drive at least 5 days a week, trying to avoid city centre as much as I can, but it's unavoidable at times.
A route I take which is similar to your situation is from Albert Street into Middlefield to Spey and Shaws, via Leith Walk
After turning right into Leith Walk, I indicate left, slow down and check for any traffic in the bus lane. If none, I drive into Middlefield. If there is, I just stop until it's safe to turn left - any traffic now in the lane behind me has to also stop. They're not supposed to go in the bus lane, so it's just as if the lane wasn't there and we're driving on a single carriageway.
As I slow down, stop, and indicate, people behind can clearly see my intentions and I can't ever recall anyone behind making a fuss - but I'm a nearly-white van man, so maybe I have some immunity.
I have no problem driving across a bus lane, that's the only way I'm going to access where I'm going. Admittedly, there are no cameras that I know of on that section of road, but I seem to recall from this forum that you're allowed 5 seconds in one before incurring a penalty.
So we're both right :o)
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