STORIES FROM THE BALMORAL, EDINBURGH’S ICONIC HOTEL Winter 2020 / 2021 - Issue No.6
THE FESTIVE SEASON AT THE BALMORAL - CONCIERGE RECOMMENDS WIN A STRATHBERRY HANDBAG - LEEANNE HUNDLEBY INTERVIEW
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A warm welcome from our our General Manager As we reach the final weeks of 2020, it’s a time to reflect on one of the most challenging years in the history of The Balmoral. We reawakened our majestic hotel in August after five months of closure to welcome many familiar faces and new guests alike. After adapting to our new normal we received news in September that we became the first and only hotel in Scotland to be awarded a 5 star rating from Forbes Travel Guide - an incredible international accolade in these difficult times. This festive season we intend to bring you safe and socially distanced holiday cheer whether you are visiting us for the day or an overnight break. We have dressed our lobby with our well-loved traditional Christmas tree in hues of blue as a thank you to the NHS for all the incredible work they have contributed to the country this year and we’re also thrilled to collaborate with Scottish designer Strathberry in celebration of homegrown luxury. Discover their beautiful decorations on the sparkling trees in Palm Court while you dine on Afternoon Tea this season. Finally, for the first time in 118 years we will be breaking with tradition on Hogmanay. Our majestic clock always runs three minutes fast so that the people of Edinburgh catch their trains. Traditionally we change the clock back for the New Year celebrations but this year we’re making an exception. Our iconic clock will remain on Balmoral Standard Time on New Year’s Eve as we would gladly have three minutes less of 2020 and be the first to bring in 2021! Sincerely, I hope you can escape reality during your time with us this festive season and I wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas and New Year. Richard Cooke, General Manager
CONTRIBUTORS Richard Cooke
Lauren Robertson
David Musk
General Manager
Associate Director of Marketing
Chief Concierge
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CONTENT
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THE FESTIVE SEASON AT THE BALMORAL
CONCIERGE Recommendations from our concierge on the best places to discover in Edinburgh.
All the festive happenings at The Balmoral.
10 WIN A STAY FOR TWO Discover how you can win a stay for two at The Balmoral and a Strathberry handbag.
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BRING IN THE BELLS ON BALMORAL STANDARD TIME
INTERVIEW: LEEANNE HUNDLEBY
Our plans to ring in 2021 at The Balmoral.
Interview with Strathberry founder Leeanne Hundleby.
13 GIFT EXPERIENCES Looking for a special present? Discover The Balmoral’s extensive gift range.
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The Festive Season
AT THE BALMORAL
Strathberry X The Balmoral This festive season, The Balmoral has partnered with contemporary designer Strathberry to celebrate the best of homegrown Scottish luxury. Strathberry opens its first Scottish flagship store on Multrees Walk this December and in collaboration with The Balmoral, has adorned the sparkling trees in our famous Palm Court with decorations of the signature gold Strathberry bar which appears on the brand’s designs. Guests can experience Afternoon Tea throughout the festive season under the decorated trees with a special sweet treat inspired by the brand. The collaboration between The Balmoral and Strathberry follows HRH The Duchess of Cambridge carrying a clutch bag from the brand when she stepped out in Edinburgh this December on a UK tour.
Thank you NHS The traditional tree in the heart of our lobby features decorations in blue hues as a thank you to the NHS for all that it has contributed to our lives this year.
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WINTER 2020
CONCIERGE
WINTER 2020
CONCIERGE RECOMMENDS CHRISTMAS AT THE BOTANICS The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh 26th November - 3 January 2021 A magical and botanical illuminated trail within the stunning setting of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. christmasatthebotanics.seetickets.com
BRIGHT SHADOWS - SCOTTISH ART IN THE 1920S City Art Centre 1 December 2020 - 6th June 2021 Marking 100 years since the dawn of the ‘Roaring Twenties’ edinburghmuseums.org.uk/whats-on/bright-shadows-scottish-art-1920s
SCOTLAND’S PRECIOUS SEAS National Museum of Scotland 1 January 2021 - 10 January 2021 This captivating exhibition is a celebration of Scotland’s vast array of lochs, waterways, islands and coastlines. nms.ac.uk
CONCIERGE
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WIN A STAY FOR TWO AT THE BALMORAL AND A STRATHBERRY HANDBAG Win a stay for two in a Castle View suite at The Balmoral accompanied by an exclusive one-on-one shopping experience in the new Strathberry flagship store and this season’s most coveted handbag. After a relaxing stay in a suite at The Balmoral and breakfast in the comfort of your room, enjoy fizz on arrival at Strathberry. A brand expert will guide you through the current collection and exclusive seasonal pieces in the sleek and minimalist new flagship store. Take away one of the brand’s most iconic pieces. Effortlessly elegant and timeless, the East/West Mini is defined by structured, clean lines and the iconic Strathberry bar closure – a seasonal twist on a true classic. Enter online here.
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BRING IN THE BELLS ON BALMORAL STANDARD TIME 3 MINUTES LESS OF 2020! The Balmoral clock runs 3 minutes fast to help the people of Edinburgh catch their trains - a tradition we have honoured since 1902 . Every year on 31st December the clock is changed to the correct time for the Hogmanay street celebrations but this year we’re making an exception - the first in 118 years. Our iconic clock will remain on Balmoral Standard Time (BST) on New Year’s Eve as we would gladly have 3 minutes less of 2020!
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GIFT EXPERIENCES Are you looking for a special present? Choose from our extensive range — from gift certificates to pampering spa treatments, each one is as individual as the hotel itself. For more information click here.
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Interview
LEEANNE HUNDLEBY STRATHBERRY FOUNDER
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In celebration of Strathberry opening its first Edinburgh flagship store on Multrees Walk, The Balmoral has partnered with the contemporary Scottish designer this festive season to celebrate the best of homegrown luxury. In an exclusive interview, Strathberry founder Leeanne Hundleby reveals how the brand pays respect to Scottish culture while staying relevant in the current climate. Tell us about Strathberry, how did it begin and where did the name come from?
Strathberry has an increased international following, who might we have seen carrying your bags?
The inspiration behind Strathberry came while we were travelling with our four kids through the mountain regions of Southern Spain, where we stumbled across stunning villages with generations of expertise and craftsmanship in working with leather. We were absolutely amazed by the skills and attention to detail that went into the production of every bag. My husband Guy and I have always had a great passion for beautiful handcrafted leather goods and design. It was such a fantastic experience as a family and inspired us to set up Strathberry not long after, when we eventually returned to the UK. We loved the concept of a Scottish brand with an International outlook. It was the start of a very exciting journey!
We have been so lucky to be supported by amazing and powerful women such as HRH the Duchess of Cambridge, HRH the Duchess of Sussex, Lady Gaga, Margot Robbie, Alessandra Ambrosio, Coco Rocha and Sarah Michelle Gellar, who have all carried Strathberry designs. Internationally known Scottish actresses Rose Leslie and Karen Gillan have also worn our brand on various occasions. Just recently, Katie Holmes was spotted on three different outings in NY with our Lana Midi. It has been simply amazing to receive this level of support and recognition by such brilliant women.
With the name Strathberry, we really wanted to honour our Scottish roots and named the brand after the word Strath, meaning wide river valley in Scots. In the past, berries were used to dye the traditional Scottish fabric and materials. From here the name “Strathberry” was born! Harper’s Bazaar named you as one of the most exciting brands to watch, how does this feel and what does Strathberry have planned for winter 2020? That was a great moment! I’m a b ig fan and an avid Harper’s reader, so that felt especially exciting for me. Over the years, we’ve been delighted by the amazing support and recognition we have received from media all over the world. This winter, we are introducing a new gorgeous cashmere range. It’s handmade in the Scottish borders, with some beautiful luxury pieces that we hope our customers will truly love. A great investment and perfect for the cold Scottish winter! Tell us about the craftsmanship and what makes Strathberry stand out in the market? Creativity and quality are at the very core of Strathberry. There are not many luxury brands offering the same level of considered design, attention to detail and quality, at our price points. We simply do not cut corners and we love the fact that we are able to offer customers a product so carefully designed and beautifully made. All Strathberry bags are instantly recognisable with a signature metal bar and a minimalist, timeless silhouette.
What are your top tips for Christmas shopping this year? With the current climate, and the challenging year we’ve all been through, it has become even more important to support small independent businesses and shop locally. I am a very conscious shopper and l am planning to treat my loved ones to something sustainably made - and timeless - that can be cherished year after year. For Christmas, we have launched a lovely line of embossed croc bags along with dainty jewellery boxes that can be personalised for a unique touch. They will make for a lovely Christmas present! What can we expect from the new Strathberry store on Multrees Walk in Edinburgh? We are incredibly proud to be opening a new flagship store in our hometown and in such a renowned and beautiful location in Edinburgh. It feels like such a special way to celebrate our Scottish roots and bring a touch of Strathberry to our beautiful city. Expect exclusive launches, unique events and, of course, the best luxury shopping experience from our amazing team on site! We simply can’t wait to connect with our customers here in Edinburgh. The east end of Edinburgh’s city centre is quickly becoming the go-to destination for luxury, are you proud to be part of that growth? We definitely are! Edinburgh is such a unique city and Multrees Walk is undoubtedly the go-to destination for luxury shopping. The East End is quickly becoming more and more vibrant with some amazing shops, restaurants and hotels opening in this incredible historical setting, surrounded by charming Georgian architecture. We are delighted to be a part of it.
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0131 556 2414 The Balmoral, 1 Princes St, Edinburgh EH2 2EQ www.roccofortehotels.com/hotels-and-resorts/the-balmoral-hotel BalmoralEdinburgh @The_Balmoral @thebalmoral