EXCLUSIVE GROUP EXPERIENCES IN EDINBURGH
Welcome to The Balmoral, an Edinburgh icon located at the city’s most prestigious address: number 1 Princes Street. Gazing up at the castle, down to the New Town’s galleries, boutiques and bars, the breathtaking building is at the heart of Scotland’s capital city. Take advantage of our unparalleled position with tailor-made, exclusive experiences in Edinburgh and beyond, curated by our concierge. From city tours and Highland excursions to whisky tastings, photography classes and the chance to create your very own tartan, the country and its culture are yours to explore. Our hotel, too, is yours to make your own. Expect a welcome in bespoke Balmoral tartan; Hebridean blues, heather hues and classic Scottish art; exceptional local cuisine from the country’s leading chefs; and our whisky ambassadors on hand with the ideal after-dinner dram. Expect expert events and culinary teams dedicated to making every ilk of event – from conferences to cocktail parties – unforgettable. And expect the signature Rocco Forte service, sincerity and style in Scotland.
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ACTIVITIES FOR GROUPS OUR CONCIERGE TEAM 6 WHISKY EXPERIENCE AT SCOTCH 8 INSTAGRAM WALKING TOUR 10 AFTERNOON TEA MASTERCLASS 12 GOLFING 14 PRIVATE EVENTS 16 MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS TOUR 18 BAR PRINCE 20 HIT THE ROAD 22 GIN EXCURSION 24 ROYAL EDINBURGH 26 SCOTLAND THROUGH A LENS 28 THE BALMORAL SPA 30 MEET THE MAKERS TOUR 32 WINTER WELLIE WALK 34 HIGHLANDS HISTORY 36 OUTLANDER TOUR 38 BRASSERIE PRINCE 40 CASHMERE, TARTAN AND TWEED TRAIL 42 FAMILY ACTIVITIES 44 NUMBER ONE 46 GREAT BRITISH RAIL JOURNEY 48
events.thebalmoral@roccofortehotels.com T: +44 131 622 8843
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ACTIVITIES FOR GROUPS
BE OUR GUEST Our concierge team
Proud owner of the prestigious Edinburgh Clef d’Ors – “keys to the city”, awarded to the world’s leading concierges – our chief concierge, David Musk, has worked at The Balmoral for 13 years. Whether you want to capitalise on Edinburgh’s rich culture or escape the city with an excursion into the spectacular Scottish Highlands, David and his assistant chief concierge, Andy, are always on hand to ensure a memorable, remarkable stay in Scotland – tailored entirely to you.
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A DRAM WITH DISTINCTION Whisky experience at SCOTCH
Let our dedicated whisky ambassadors take you through a selection of over 500 single malts and blends from around the country at our signature whisky bar, SCOTCH – the city’s prime spot for sampling its proud produce. Taking your seat on our cosy tweed sofas, our ambassadors will take you through the finest drams from the Highlands, Lowlands, Islands, Islay and Speyside – including rare and vintage whiskies – explaining the heritage and tasting note highlights of each – all served up with a spread of delectable food pairings.
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ACTIVITIES FOR GROUPS
IN FOCUS Instagram walking tour
Feed your creative juices (and please your public) with a snap happy tour of our UNESCO World Heritage City. We’ve paired with one of Scotland’s top Instagrammers to guide you through the city’s most photogenic spots, capturing the spectacular architecture amongst Edinburgh pin ups Calton Hill, Stockbridge and Dean Village – and creating plenty of ∆BalmoralMoments of your own.
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TIME FOR TEA Afternoon Tea Masterclass
Indulge in this most British of traditions with an Afternoon Tea Masterclass. Over delicate finger sandwiches, Balmoral smoked salmon, homemade scones and the finest tea, your official guide will explain its origins and etiquette, sharing the story behind the tea stand in an eye-opening and appetising experience.
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ACTIVITIES FOR GROUPS
TEE OFF Golfing
A country renowned for its golfing, Scotland enjoys some of the world’s most challenging, picturesque and pleasurable links. From The Balmoral, keen golfers can enjoy access to the most exclusive golf courses and clubs across the country.
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O U T S TA N D I N G OCCASIONS Private events
Make the Scottish capital’s most coveted address your own, with Edinburgh Castle as your backdrop and an array of impressive, adaptable event spaces to use as your stage. From private dinners in one of our castle-view suites, grand galas or cocktail parties in our Sir Walter Scott Suite or fireside whisky tastings in the cosy Annan Suite – via weddings, conferences, meetings, press and fashion shows – our dedicated events and culinary teams will work with you to create the perfect, high-impact event at The Balmoral.
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ACTIVITIES FOR GROUPS
HER HISTORIC HIGHNESS Mary Queen of Scots tour
Immerse yourself in the turbulent history of one of Scotland’s most iconic figures, Mary Queen of Scots. Visit locations from the new Mary Queen of Scots movie, learning about the people and the places that informed her reign in a day trip from The Balmoral. From Linlithgow and Holyrood Palace to Stirling Castle, your expert guide will lead you through her life – stopping for a lunch hamper of artisanal Scottish produce, prepared here at the hotel.
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RAISE A GLASS Bar Prince
Nestled beside our French-meets-Scottish bistro, Brasserie Prince, is Bar Prince – our convivial destination drinking spot, where leading mixologist Giovanni Cassino continues the alliance of the finest French and Scottish flavours through his exciting, imaginative drinks menu. Paired with bar snacks, seafood and sharing platters from Alain Roux’s kitchen, enjoy an aperitif, after-dinner drink or explore with our four-course, seasonal cocktail tasting menu.
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ACTIVITIES FOR GROUPS
4X4 ADVENTURES Hit the road
Get off the beaten track with an exhilarating 4x4 adventure around the spectacular Loch Lomond. Taking in stunning scenery and wildlife – from golden eagles to stags – an expert guide will take you tearing around the hillside above the loch, navigating off-road tracks, steep slopes and rock crawls in an unforgettable four-wheeled experience.
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ACTIVITIES FOR GROUPS
B O TA N I C A L B O T T L E S Gin excursion
Take a trip to the Secret Herb Garden, 7.5 acres of picturesque, botanical land and gardens at the foot of the Pentland Hills – and home to exciting new gin distillery Old Curiosity. Here you will enjoy a gin tutorial, learning about the botanics grown and dried on site to create Old Curiosity’s famous colour-changing gin, before getting the opportunity to create, bottle and name your own herb-infused gin to take away.
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ACTIVITIES FOR GROUPS
REGAL RESIDENCES Royal Edinburgh
Be our guest at two of the country’s most eminent stately properties: Holyrood Palace, the Queen’s official Edinburgh residence, and the Royal Yacht Britannia, her yacht for over 40 years. Taking a tour around these magnificent sights, you will learn the history of each, from the 16th-century apartments of Mary Queen of Scots at Holyrood to the million-plus nautical miles racked up by the Royal Yacht on its travels. Finish the day in fitting regal style with an Afternoon Tea Masterclass back at the hotel.
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ACTIVITIES FOR GROUPS
HIGHLANDS PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR Scotland through a lens
Capture the dramatic landscape and majestic wildlife of the Scottish Highlands with an unforgettable photography excursion to the Glencoe Valley. On the one-day outing, keen photographers will learn to best capture the region’s rugged, remote environs, ethereal lighting and wild weather patterns under the expert guidance of a professional landscape photographer. A deeply inspiring experience for photographers of every level.
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T H E S PA AT T R A C T I O N The Balmoral Spa
Unwind in our urban spa, complete with swimming pool, Finnish sauna, steam room, fully equipped gym and studio, and five treatment rooms where our expert therapists offer signature treatments using our own Irene Forte Skincare range. For a true retreat in the heart of the city, treat yourself to the Ishga day spa package: a powerful, head-to-toe, pampering session with scrubs, soaks, hot stone massage and a facial, using products derived from Scottish spring water and mineral-rich seaweed, developed in the Outer Hebrides.
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ACTIVITIES FOR GROUPS
MADE IN SCOTLAND Meet the makers tour
From Edinburgh’s leading tweed, cashmere, tartan or leather producers to traditional kilt and Highland dress artisans, meet the designer-makers behind some of Scotland’s finest fabrics and labels on an expert guided tour. Making time for guests to purchase home-grown designer pieces of their own, the experience can also incorporate an authentic Scottish food and drink tasting, with regional cheeses, meats, smoked salmon and gin.
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ACTIVITIES FOR GROUPS
H E R I TA G E H I K E Winter wellie walk
With no less than two Royal Warrants, Hunter Wellington boots are one of Scotland’s most loved exports – beloved by everyone from farmers and ramblers to royals and celebrities. We’ve paired up with Hunter to provide guests with a bespoke walking tour of the city, and a pair of their iconic boots – the perfect partnership for winter walks.
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ACTIVITIES FOR GROUPS
H I G H L A N D S H I S T O RY The Tartan Butler Clan tour
Go back to your roots with a unique exploration into any Scottish family history you have. Our Tartan Butler can help you trace your ancestry and source your clan’s tartan, arranging an appointment with the kiltmakers to the Queen. Once you’re suitably clad, we can create a tailored tour of your family’s Scottish heritage, tracing their story through the castles, ruins, inns and archives of Scotland and arming you with an expert guide to take you through them.
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ACTIVITIES FOR GROUPS
S M A L L S C R E E N S TA R S Outlander tour
Travel back in time with an immersive journey through the epic setting of historical drama Outlander. From Doune, Blackness and Midhope Castles to Hopetoun House, you’ll visit key locations in the series, learning about the real Jacobean people and places that inspired it.
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PRINCE CHARMING Brasserie Prince
Let Michelin-starred chefs Alain and Michel Roux OBE transport you to the classic Parisian bistro at our all-day brasserie and bar, Brasserie Prince. Here, the Rouxs bring time-honoured French techniques and flavours to the finest local ingredients for a stirring seasonal menu with signature dishes like coq au vin, lobster thermidor and escargots. Open for power breakfasts and light lunches all the way through to cocktail hour and after-dinner drinks in the adjoining bar.
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ACTIVITIES FOR GROUPS
FINE FABRICS Cashmere, tartan and tweed trail
Meet the most prestigious makers of three fabrics synonymous with Scotland: tartan, tweed and cashmere. Taking a private visit to the mills of Royal Warrant holders Johnstons of Elgin – who have worked with the world’s top fashion houses for centuries – you will watch the skilled craftspeople behind these exquisite fabrics in action, stopping to shop, or even create your own family tartan or tweed with one of their designers.
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ACTIVITIES FOR GROUPS
G E N E R AT I O N G A M E S Family activities
Created specifically for all ages to enjoy together, our year-round family activity days could see you walking with native reindeer, zip-lining through Scottish forests or getting competitive with a game of curling – first played in Medieval Scotland. Whatever you choose, there’s plenty to keep you all entertained.
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FIRST AND FOREMOST Number One
Michelin-starred for 17 consecutive years, our Number One restaurant is one of the country’s foremost dining destinations – sublime modern Scottish cuisine in an elegant, art-filled space. Expect seasonal, regional dishes like Dingwall scallops, Borders partridge and signature Dunbar Lobster executed with skill, precision and passion.
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ACTIVITIES FOR GROUPS
ALL ABOARD Great British rail journey
Get the best of Scotland and England in the ultimate dual destination break, taking in both British Rocco Forte hotels: Edinburgh’s Balmoral and London’s Brown’s. Enjoying the signature Rocco Forte service throughout your stays, you will travel between the two capital cities in style, enjoying a chauffeured Bentley Mulsanne in London, a scenic first-class train journey across the UK to Edinburgh, and an escort from Waverley to The Balmoral from our concierge. A cross-country adventure like no other.
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L O C AT I O N
A C C O M M O D AT I O N
The Balmoral is: • A 25-minute drive to Edinburgh Airport (EDI) • Adjacent to Waverley Railway Station which is served by connections from all around the UK, including frequent direct trains with London, Manchester and Birmingham
• 168 bedrooms from 22m 2 • 20 suites from 45m 2
R E STAU R A N T & B A R S
1 Princes Street, Edinburgh EH2 2EQ Tel: +44 131 556 2414 e: reservations.balmoral@roccofortehotels.com
• Number One • Brasserie Prince • Palm Court • SCOTCH • The Gallery • Bar Prince
roccofortehotels.com/thebalmoral
MEETINGS & EVENTS • 10 meeting suites for up to 450 guests • All with views of Edinburgh Castle or the Old Town, as well as natural daylight and Wi-Fi access
@thebalmoral @BalmoralEdinburgh @The_Balmoral
T H E B A L M O R A L S PA • 15m swimming pool • Refreshment Bar • 5 treatment rooms • Relaxation suite • Sauna and steam room • Gym and yoga studio • Spa memberships • Tailor-made fitness and wellbeing programmes • Irene Forte Skincare
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