STORIES FROM THE BALMORAL, EDINBURGH’S ICONIC HOTEL Winter / Spring - Issue No.3
WELCOME FROM RICHARD COOKE - BURNS NIGHT - LET US BE-GIN - SCOTLAND THE GREAT UNPREDICTABLE INTERVIEW WITH DAVID MUSK, CHIEF CONCIERGE - IRENE FORTE, WELLNESS - #BALMORALMOMENTS - PALM COURT
Winter / Spring - Issue No. 3
Presenting the world’s first Collection of 22ct Scottish Gold, hand-crafted by Scotland’s première master jewellers.
HAMILTONANDINCHE S.COM
2 - The Icon - The Balmoral
Winter / Spring - Issue No. 3
A warm welcome from Lucy The festive season may be over but what a wonderful time of year to be in Edinburgh. 2019 was a busy year here at The Balmoral and we are looking forward to some great events throughout 2020. The winter months in Scotland can be a bit chilly but there are plenty of wonderful sights and events to entice you out and about to make sure you enjoy the best of the city. This is my favourite time of the year. Explore the city, wander down its cobbled back lanes and find solace in wonderful hidden away pubs, owned by individuals that welcome you to their neighbourhood. Our Chief Concierge, David Musk, gives us his top tips for enjoying Edinburgh – as well as some unusual requests he’s had over the years. Our gin partner from The Secret Herb Garden shares his love of botanicals and how he collaborated with our team to create our gin ‘Baile Mhoireil’. It wouldn’t be an edition of The Icon without the adorable Lucy, who recently celebrated turning one. Happy birthday Lucy. Join us over the coming months for cocktails and celebrations. We look forward to welcoming you to The Balmoral.
Richard Cooke, General Manager
CONTRIBUTORS Richard Cooke
Hamish Martin
Richard Bath
General Manager
Owner at The Secret Herb Garden
Rugby Journalist
The Icon - The Balmoral - 3
Winter / Spring - Issue No. 3
RAISING A GLASS TO THE RARE AND
Scotland’s National Bard, Robert Burns, is known for penning poems however one less well known fact was that he was employed as a gauger, connecting him far more closely to the whisky industry than simply enjoying a dram. With that in mind what better way to celebrate his life than with a Rare and Ghosted whisky tasting. Our Whisky Ambassador and SCOTCH manager, Cameron Ewen talks us through this experience. The journey begins with an introduction to the colourful history of Scotch whisky, from its humble beginnings as a medical elixir to the luxury product we know today. Our guests are then guided through a carefully selected quartet of some of the rarest whiskies we have on offer. These whiskies include examples from some of Scotland’s lost distilleries or limited editions released to represent the precious nature of single malt Scotch whisky that has been nurtured by oak, sometimes, for several decades. Cameron and his team’s encyclopaedic knowledge of our national drink comes through with great enthusiasm as they talk guests through the variety of whiskies available. Cameron explains “Each and every whisky has its own distinct flavour and each and every distillery has its own story. We take the time to share these differences and stories with our guests and hopefully pass on some of our knowledge and enthusiasm for the whiskies we have chosen to showcase. If you are planning a Burns celebration of your own and are looking to treat yourself to some fine whiskies, Cameron recommends a well-aged sherry matured whisky; 4 - The Icon - The Balmoral
“Balvenie 30-year-old has hints of caramel and with a thick mouthfeel pairs well with a spicy haggis”. As for a cranachan dessert, Cameron adds, “A mildly smoky whisky such as the 27-year-old Bowmore works well with the flavour of the raspberries; the port casks used seem to enhance the sweetness of the fruit.” The bar at SCOTCH continues to add to its collection – with the arrival of 30, old and rare whiskies, some of which are from the 1940s. Needless to say, Cameron is looking forward to sharing these with our guests, “It’s a great time to be working within the whisky industry, it has gone from strength to strength over recent years and I’ve loved every minute. We have a great appreciation for whisky being sipped on its own but more recently cocktails have been a great way to enjoy Scotch. It’s really exciting to see the talents within our industry continue to push the boundaries of how we can enjoy whisky in a fun and inclusive manner. For further information or to book a whisky tasting, call 0131 524 7142
1 x measure of Glenkinchie 12 year old ½ x brown sugar cube soaked in Angostura Bitters Top up with Champagne Garnish with a brandy cherry or orange zest.
Winter / Spring - Issue No. 3
BY RICHARD BATH SCOTLAND THE GREAT UNPREDICTABLE Sometimes it feels as if it would be easier to split an atom with a hatchet than to predict Scotland’s form under Gregor Townsend. This is a team which has taken the old cliché about being mercurial to absurd lengths, putting 50 points on Australia and beating England one minute, then being humiliated in Cardiff, Nice and Yokohama the next. This year, in the wake of Scotland’s disappointing World Cup campaign, it’s harder than ever to get a handle on how Scotland will fare in this Six Nations. Despite losing old dependables like Greig Laidlaw, John Barclay, Tommy Seymour and Ryan Wilson in the inevitable post-Japan clear-out, Scotland are one of only two teams in the tournament to keep their head coach (England are the other).
THE FORMIDABLE FOUR
SQUAD SELECTION
Yet Scotland’s task is a formidable one. They have not won at Lansdowne Road this century, and the Ireland side which thrashed Townsend’s men in Yokohama remains largely intact. Scotland may hold the Calcutta Cup, but World Cup finalists England are enormously powerful and have unfinished business with Scotland. France, with Shaun Edwards as their new defence coach, are my dark horses for the tournament. Wales have just lost their most successful ever coaching team, but they retain their best players and haven’t lost to Scotland in Cardiff since 2002.
Townsend, his new coaching team and new captain Stuart Hogg have indicated that they will play a high tempo offloading game, and their squad reflects that. First, though, Townsend needs to address Scotland’s woeful defence and the predictability in attack which collectively marred 2019. There are also several selectorial issues. Townsend has yet to get the back-row balance right, has got himself in a mess at outside centre, is struggling at loosehead prop and is dangerously over-reliant on Finn Russell’s genius at fly-half. Yet there is also considerable strength in depth at tighthead, hooker, second row, scrum-half and the back three. Scotland’s youngsters now have significant experience, and the side also has a fair sprinkling of stardust with Hogg and Russell being joined by the likes of Darcy Graham and Jamie Ritchie as genuine gamechangers.
UNPREDICTABLE PREDICTIONS History tells us that it’s difficult but not inconceivable to see Scotland winning in Dublin and Cardiff, but also that Scotland are eminently capable of beating England and a resurgent France at Murrayfield. My suspicion is that Scotland will win one away game, in Rome, and one home game. Not that winning is the be-all and end-all for their under-pressure head coach: rugby may be a results business, but Scotland’s ambition, tactical coherence and sheer desire to win will be almost as important as their results in this Six Nations. The Icon - The Balmoral - 5
Winter / Spring - Issue No. 3
The Balmoral has launched its first premium own-label gin ‘Baile Mhoireil’. In partnership with The Old Curiosity Distillery, the hotel has thoughtfully created a gin inspired by the breathtaking Scottish landscapes, embodying the country’s well-loved culture and spirit. Every detail has been considered from the Gaelic name translating to ‘Majestic Dwelling’, the luxury design of the bottle and the perfect serve.
HAMISH MARTIN, OWNER OF THE SECRET GARDEN TALKS US THROUGH THE CREATION OF THE BAILE MHOIREIL GIN You started with the Secret Herb Garden, what made you consider making gin?
W
e started the Secret Herb Garden purely as a hidden escape for people to come, relax and be surrounded by the subtle energy of all the plants - we are a 7.5 acre botanical herb nursery garden with a café and shop where you can allow children to run around the garden and use their imagination. We had no intention to make gin. I had been making a rose gin tincture which turned pink when tonic was added for fun at home with our own Apothecary Roses. It was delicious so my wife suggested we make a business out of it. Luckily my previous experience in the drinks trade helped and we raised some money and converted the barn into a Atex rated Distillery and went live October 2017. We now supply M&S, Harrods, Fortnum and Mason’s, Harvey Nichols and Fenwicks, to name a few!
What’s your favourite part of making gin?
I
used to be in the whisky trade 10 years earlier but had left to spend the rest of my life with herbs - I had retrained for two years at the Royal Botanic Gardens as a Herbologist. So, I would say that the growing of the botanics and getting to tell people how amazing nature is, as well as getting to experiment with flavours.
You distil many different botanicals independently of each other – do you have a favourite one when it comes to that initial fragrant hit?
I
t has to be Lemon Verbena which is a lead botanic in the Baile Mhoireil gin. The fragrance is so powerful – it’s like lemon zest but stronger.
What is it about The Balmoral that made for an interesting collaboration?
L
ocation, prestige and partnership. The Balmoral cherish sustainability and provenance which is exactly what is reflected in their gin. We grow the botanics, dry, distill and bottle no more than 6 miles away from the Balmoral.
If there was just one thing about gin that you want everyone to know about, what would it be?
I
t’s not just the stills, the location, the skill of the distiller but the true master is nature herself and how amazing the plants are.
How long did it take you to fine tune your recipe?
A
mazingly quick when you know plants and their characteristics, it becomes second nature to understand how they are going to work together.
What’s your favourite way to drink gin?
I
love a classic G&T but my favourite cocktail would be a negroni :). Made with Baile Mhoireil obviously!
The Baile Mhoireil gin is now being served in Bar Prince 6 - The Icon - The Balmoral
Winter / Spring - Issue No. 3
” INTRODUCING… DAVID MUSK CHIEF CONCIERGE Tell us a bit about your time here at the Balmoral? I joined the team at the concierge desk in January 2006 and have not looked back since. As soon as I had moved here from my hometown of Cardiff I knew that I had found my spiritual home. I am very proud to be Welsh but my love and appetite for history, old architecture, beautiful scenery and culture meant that Edinburgh was a very difficult place to beat in terms of where I spent my future. To cap it off, I managed to land a job doing what I love, in the most prestigious hotel in Scotland. It was a dream come true. Is there a typical day for you? It is a bit of a cliché but there isn’t a typical day. One of the main aspects of the role that I love is the unpredictability of each day and what it can bring. There are many different events happening in the hotel and in Edinburgh, so we try and prepare to ensure that we meet all of our guests’ expectations. From April onwards we are extremely busy and most of my time is spent answering emails or at the desk assisting guests who are staying with us. What skills do you think are required to make a great concierge? That is a difficult question to answer as we come in to contact with so many different types of people who require different levels and types of attention. But I think the most
David Musk, Chief Concierge
important quality is having a passion for the role. We need to be in touch with all aspects of what Edinburgh offers and having a passion for the role means you have that natural curiosity to learn all about Edinburgh and Scotland. This helps us to ensure our guests make the most of their time here, and that they take some fantastic memories home with them. What is the oddest request you’ve ever had? There have been many over the last 15 years. We were once given 24 hours to arrange a fake marriage ceremony for two couples who wanted to play a trick on their friends back home, complete with a photographer, wedding car and vicar. Only recently at 7pm on Hogmanay, a guest called me asking if we could contact the kilt hire shop where he had rented his kilt outfit as the jacket was way too large. The shop was of course closed, but luckily I knew the owner. He was 100 miles away, so he had to try and contact a member of his team to go to the shop and then drop a replacement in to us, which he did 30 minutes later.
Top tips for getting the best out of Edinburgh? Give yourself enough time, perhaps a minimum of 4 days to explore and experience what the city has to offer. The most common regret we hear from our guests is that they did not give themselves enough time to fully experience what Edinburgh has to offer. There is also a saying here that there is no such thing as bad weather, just a bad choice of clothing. I would always suggest that guests check the weather here before packing. And be prepared to walk around as much as possible. The city is made for exploring on foot and is small enough to make it a great experience. If you could recommend one thing to do when you’re visiting the city, what would it be? That is such a difficult one to answer. However, one thing I always encourage people to do is to visit one of the amazing viewpoints in the city, be it Calton Hill, Arthur’s Seat or one of the tall historical buildings that offer great views across the city. Edinburgh has a unique geography and layout which is much better understood from up on high.
My all time favourite however, was the guest who wanted to drive a tank over a car. He didn’t end up doing it, but would you believe that there is a place in Scotland where that is possible?
CONCIERGE RECOMMENDS Chief concierge David gives us his recommendations for things to do and see over the next couple of months. La Boheme, Usher Hall, 26th February
Chinese Oracle Bones, National Museums, until 29th March
Leonardo Da Vinci, a Life in Drawing, Queens Gallery, 1st February to 5th March
Edinburgh Science Festival, 4th – 19th April
Beltane Fire Festival, 30th April
The Icon - The Balmoral - 7
Winter / Spring - Issue No. 3
71 Grassmarket Edinburgh EH1 2HJ Tel: 0131 225 8634 Monday - Saturday 9.30am - 6pm
www.hawico.com
Untitled-1 1
16/01/2020 19:06
at The Balmoral The Balmoral’s Executive Chef, Gary Robinson, recently launched an original new concept to Edinburgh’s dining scene known as ‘Gatherings’. The unique dining experience invites small groups to come together for an innovative, bespoke and truly unique banqueting experience tailored specifically to the diners’ tastes. Gatherings offers a new style of food presentation for private diners. The exclusive family style dining will showcase local and seasonal produce at its finest and guests who would like to host a Gatherings evening will collaborate with Gary to create a fully bespoke and personal night. This innovative dining concept encourages guests to share their thoughts surrounding the celebration of food, cutting out the formality of fine dining and making the occasion convivial, engaging and fun for all. Gary and his team harness their skills, knowledge and creativity to deliver an unforgettable evening of seasonal sharing platters, quirky aperitifs and sensational flavour combinations that embody family spirit, create food theatre and encourage discussion around the dishes. To book a Gatherings event or for further information please email events.balmoral@roccofortehotels.com 8 - The Icon - The Balmoral
Winter / Spring - Issue No. 3
Elegance, Plays softly on the ear, And easy on the eye, Deceiving us With a simplicity, That’ belies the truth; The practiced polished hand, The effortless endeavour, Distilled, and then refined,
VIENNOISERIES
Where less is more;
Now available in Palm Court, our irresistible Viennoiseries are freshly baked every morning to the highest, most delicious standards you would expect at The Balmoral.
On a wet and windy,
Our Viennoiseries include croissants, pain au chocolat and a cinnamon and vanilla roll - all served with butter and The Balmoral strawberry jam. Available from 9.00am to Noon daily For further information or to book Palm Court please call 0131 556 2414
And here,
Edinburgh afternoon, We escape, To an exotic place, A world of infusions, From Darjeeling, And Nepal, To a land Above the clouds; The art of ceremony, The easy grace, The dignity of service, The ritual of restraint, The spinning stops, Albeit for an instant, In long-to-be Remembered, Sumptuous, Scottish, Splendour.
VEGAN AFTERNOON TEA Executive Pastry Chef, Ross Sneddon, puts careful thought and consideration into all of the Afternoon Tea offerings served at The Balmoral. Ross believes that the vegan Afternoon Tea experience should be just as delicious and aesthetically pleasing as a traditional Afternoon Tea.
A poem by the wonderful Gordon Hunter and Don Ledingham from Edinburgh Revisited. There has never been a better time to visit Palm Court. edinburghrevisited.co.uk
Our pastry kitchen team start with a classic menu and tailor it to be vegan friendly to ensure that the standard and quality remain of the highest standard. This involves using trusted suppliers to source the seasonal ingredients needed which make a selection of vegan friendly, fresh pastries, dainty sandwiches and expertly crafted savouries. For further information or to book Palm Court please call 0131 556 2414 The Icon - The Balmoral - 9
Winter / Spring - Issue No. 3
@chance_magazine
@armstrongsjourneys
@berriestagram
@joe.o
@snackiegillum
@thebalmoral
@thebalmoral
@yvettejelfs
@zenscapephoto
Follow us: BalmoralEdinburgh
10 - The Icon - The Balmoral
@The_Balmoral
@thebalmoral
Winter / Spring - Issue No. 3
– Wellness SPA, STEAM ROOM UPGRADE The steam room and sauna in our spa has recently undergone a full refurbishment. Enjoy the peace and tranquility in this urban oasis, helping you relax into your break. To book a spa treatment or package please call 0131 622 8880
We spoke to Rocco Forte Hotels’ Wellness Director, Irene Forte, to find out what is on the horizon for her, both personally and professionally for this new decade. What were your highlights last year?
I
soft-launched my skincare brand, Irene Forte Skincare, in December 2018. Therefore, 2019 was really about building this new brand. So, I’m proud of having done just that. I’m also proud of opening two beautiful new hotels, Masseria Torre Maizza and Hotel de la Ville, and having built wonderful spa teams and services within them.
What are you most looking forward to accomplish professionally?
I
’m excited to build upon our Rocco Forte Wellness brand. For example, we are launching Mindfulness videos with Terrence the Teacher on our in-room televisions in London. We are also constantly improving on the Sustainability front across our properties. On Irene Forte Skincare, I’m looking forward to continuing to grow the brand, build my team, and launch across various retailers.
What would you recommend to those looking to start a new skincare regime?
I
would recommend starting off with a few simple steps. Start with a cleanser (such as our Almond Cleansing Milk or Lavender & Rosemary Foam Cleanser), follow with our Hibiscus Serum and finish with the Hydrating Aloe Vera Face Cream, Balancing Lavender & Rosemary Face Cream or the Age-Defying Prickly Pear Face Cream, depending on your skin type.
GIFT CERTIFICATES Share your love of The Balmoral with family or friends when you purchase one of our gift experiences. An ideal gift for Valentines Day or Mothers’ Day. Let your someone special enjoy an unforgettable overnight stay in one of our luxurious guest rooms or suites, a culinary experience or pampering spa treatments. From a fine dining experience at Number One, cocktail tasting in Bar Prince or a relaxing treatment in The Balmoral Spa, there’s something for everyone. Gift certificates are available to purchase from our reception or online at: roccofortehotels.com/gifts
For weekly maintenance, I would use our Almond Face Scrub or Apricot Face Peel and one of our three face masks, each of which deals with specific skin concerns such as balancing or brightening the skin.
The wellness industry has really grown over the last decade. How do you see wellness developing in the 2020s?
I
t certainly has been a very important decade for wellness. I believe that in the coming years, wellness will become fully integrated into global healthcare systems, and we’ll see key topics become more mainstream. The power of nature will continue to establish its importance. There is nothing more healing than nature, and this will inform not just travel, but homes, schools and offices, too. More wellness retreats are incorporating immersive natural activities, and ‘going deep into the wild’ has been tipped as a major wellness trend for next year.
A publication brought to you by The Balmoral, a Rocco Forte hotel in Edinburgh. The Icon - The Balmoral - 11
0131 556 2414 The Balmoral, 1 Princes St, Edinburgh EH2 2EQ www.roccofortehotels.com/hotels-and-resorts/the-balmoral-hotel BalmoralEdinburgh @The_Balmoral @thebalmoral