THE BALMORAL

The Balmoral is excited to welcome guests over the next few months for an unforgettable trip to Edinburgh. This issue of The Icon marks the hotel’s 120th anniversary and in honour of this momentous occasion, we celebrate The Balmoral, the very first Rocco Forte Hotel in the collection. Palm Court offers a special Afternoon Tea and our concierge has pulled together their best recommendations for hidden gems to visit on a city break to Edinburgh. As the autumn evenings draw in, we raise a special whisky cocktail recommended by our Whisky Ambassadors.

Join us over the coming months for some unforgettable culture, dining and creative cocktails as we celebrate 120 years of an Icon.

Richard Cooke General Manager David Musk Chief Concierge Cameron Ewen Whisky Ambassador of SCOTCH

ven though The Balmoral’s famous clocktower runs three minutes fast, here we take a look back in time to explore how The Balmoral became an icon of Edinburgh. The legendary grande dame of a hotel has a journey spanning 120 years, culminating into what is today one of the world’s greatest hotels.

In search of respite following a long train trip, guests arriving at the North British Station Hotel in 1902 gasped at the grandeur and ambitious scale of the building. Anyone who is anyone has frequented the hotel at Edinburgh’s most prestigious address, 1 Princes Street.

Designed by W. Hamilton Beattie and A.R. Scott, the building immediately became an architectural symbol linking Old Edinburgh with the New Town. Named The Balmoral since 1991, the hotel is indeed a“majestic dwelling” - ‘balmoral’ in Gaelic, and was founded in the golden era of steam.

Dig down and you’ll discover the hotel’s roots lie deep within Waverley Station, its lower floors adjacent to platform 19. Ascending stairs, polished by generations of kilt-wearing luggage handlers, guests were greeted by the full Edwardian splendour of the foyer.

General Manager Richard Cooke can usually be found in his favourite corner of Bar Prince, a theatrical space created by Martin Brudnizki in collaboration with Rocco Forte Hotel’s Director of Design, Olga Polizzi. “I could dine in there all day” says Richard, “it’s designed in line with my personal taste - and I love the entrance to the bar and brasserie, a cosy spot where you can relax with a coffee and the paper.”

It’s the small touches around the hotel that Richard loves, “like the Shinola record player” in the lavish Glamis Suite, named after The Queen Mother’s childhood home. On vintage vinyl soaring arias, jazz or rock ‘n’ roll can be played by guests staying in the signature suite - a nod to musical royalties who’ve stayed at The Balmoral from Sir Paul McCartney to The Rolling Stones. They provide the perfect soundtrack to a gin and tonic or dram poured by one of the hotel’s Whisky Ambassadors, served with a spectacular view over Princes Street.

From royal families and heads of state to cultural icons from every era, The Balmoral has been home to eminent figures over its 120 years.

Rewind through the microfilm of the hotel’s archives to 1932 when comic geniuses Laurel and Hardy were swept along the streets by crowds of adoring fans from the station to the hotel. Scotland’s answer to James Bond, Sean Connery cut the ribbon as the hotel reopened six decades later while, in 2012, fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld “made The Balmoral his base during the Chanel Metiers D’arts show”. Richard reveals “The Queen Mother used to come to The Balmoral for lunch, J.K. Rowling finished her final book in the Harry Potter series in one of the suites, and Oprah Winfrey famously interviewed her in another.”

Planning for the next century and beyond, The Balmoral continues to reinvent itself with unique initiatives for guests to discover, from world-renowned Whisky Ambassadors and speedboat rides on Loch Lomond to stories told through fragrance by their Scent Butler. In Richard’s eyes,

Architects W. Hamilton Beattie and A.R. Scott won a competition to design The Balmoral in the late 1800s. Owned by the North British Railway Company it was described as “a free rendering of the Renaissance period” linking the old Scottish architecture of the Edinburgh Old Town with the classic architecture of the New.

The Balmoral, known then as The North British Station Hotel, opened its doors in 1902, becoming a staple of the city attracting notable guests such as Laurel & Hardy, Sophia Loren and Elizabeth Taylor to name a few.

Today, the iconic Rocco Forte property continues to play an integral part in Edinburgh’s history and culture, attracting international guests all year round.

The Queen Mother was a regular visitor to the hotel, where she liked to dine on plain roast lamb for lunch. Prime Ministers, Edward Heath and Harold Wilson, also visited.

Brasserie Prince opens after a multi-million pound refurbishment of the hotel’s bar and brasserie; the hotel’s old town view rooms are refurbished including the Scone & Crombie Suite, the hotel’s presidential suite.

The hotel opened on 15th October 1902 as The North British Station Hotel.

In February the hotel reopened its doors to the public as The Balmoral Hotel, (Balmoral meaning “majestic dwelling” in Gaelic) following a £23-million refurbishment.

The hotel is named the first and only hotel in Scotland to receive a five star award from

the world-renowned Forbes Travel Guide.

In July, comedy duo Laurel and Hardy visited The North British Station Hotel as part of their visit to Edinburgh. Crowds gathered outside the hotel to catch a glimpse of the famous pair.

Over the years a regular galaxy of film and sports stars, princesses and politicians, have posed for photographs by the hotel pillars. Celebrity visitors to the hotel include Sophia Loren, Elizabeth Taylor, Paul and Linda McCartney.

On 1st March Sir Rocco Forte purchased The Balmoral, which was the first hotel within his

new Rocco Forte Collection.

The Balmoral launches ‘Scotch Club’ in partnership with The Macallan, adding an installation of 35 personalised whisky keeps that don the entrance of SCOTCH whisky bar.

On 11th January, J.K. Rowling finished writing ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows’ (the seventh and final installment in The Harry Potter series) at the hotel. To mark the occasion, the author signed an antique bust in the room in which she stayed.

The Balmoral celebrates 120 years of an icon with a season of celebration, whilst Rocco Forte Hotels celebrate the brand’s 25th anniversary.

Edinburgh Expert Chief Concierge at The Balmoral, David Musk, has pulled together a guide of the city’s secret escapes to enhance guest trips to Scotland’s capital. With the city being steeped in ancient secrets hidden within the city walls and buried underneath its cobbled streets, David is revealing the hidden spots that make Edinburgh so special.

There is a hidden city beneath the cobbled streets of Edinburgh, with underground chambers, hidden down infamous close alleyways in the beautiful Old Town. Travellers can explore Edinburgh’s underground vaults where criminals once ruled, running illegal activities such as gambling and fermenting bootleg alcohol. Guests can book a guided tour to explore these subterranean spaces, whilst listening to spine-chilling stories.

Storytelling is a strong pillar in Scottish tradition and history, with myths travelling from the country capital through to the Highlands to islands. Rarely committed to print, these whispered secrets are at the heart of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival, an annual autumnal gathering of modern day minstrels and bards. Guests can attend one of the most admired storytelling events in the world and the largest of its kind - encompassing a wealth of cultures, traditions and styles.

Honouring Celtic traditions, the Samhuinn Fire Festival occurs on the most fearful night of the year, 31st October. Conjuring spirits and ghouls, evocative fiery performances and ritual dances usher in the chilling transition to winter. Guests can join the festival to enjoy a mix of fire-play, drumming, and immersive performances that ignite the city for one night only.

Believe the stories and you’ll be convinced there are secret passageways connecting Edinburgh’s formidable castle to different parts of the city. Legend has it, a young piper was sent into the tunnels and instructed to play as he walked but his music fell silent and he mysteriously disappeared, leaving the tunnels still waiting to be discovered. Magical lights illuminate Edinburgh Castle as well as the city’s secrets, an experience not to be missed this winter.

The Scone & Crombie Suite is one of The Balmoral’s most iconic signature suites, decorated with rich fabrics, opulent furnishings and space in abundance.

Named after the iconic Scone Palace in Perthshire, the signature suite has been designed by Olga Polizzi – Rocco Forte Hotels’ Director of Design, and sister to Sir Rocco Forte, - as the ultimate city base for families or urban enclave for heads of state and VIPs. The flexible accommodation can be

booked as a one, two or three bedroom suite. The addition of a sizeable entrance hall, meanwhile, provides the perfect location for discrete private check-ins and opens onto a multipurpose meeting and dining space.

The suite was recently awarded Scotland’s Leading Hotel Suite 2022 and offers a walk-in wardrobe, working fireplace, separate dining room and traditional Scottish touches throughout. Book the Scone & Crombie suite and enjoy enhanced benefits with our Rocco Forte Suite

Experience. As a Forte Suite Guest enjoy complimentary in-suite check-in, personalised concierge services, complimentary breakfast and your choice from a selection of special suite experiences. Select from a whisky journey in Scotch, fast-track tickets to Edinburgh Castle or a private tour of the silversmith workshop at Hamilton & Inches, Edinburgh’s iconic jewellers.

The Scone & Crombie suite starts at £4000 per night.

THE BALMORAL NAMED AA Hotel The Balmoral was awarded the special accolade of 2022–23 AA Hotel of The Year Scotland, at the AA Hospitality Awards in September 2022. of The Year Every year the AA recognises the very best in hospitality across England, Scotland and Wales. Introduced in 1992, the AA Hotel of the Year is the Scotland 2022 ultimate acknowledgement for hotels in the UK that are recognised as being outstanding examples in their particular market.

Simon Numphud, Managing Director of AA Media said: “One of the UK’s oldest and most prestigious, The Balmoral is nothing short of an Edinburgh institution. As they mark their 120th anniversary this year, we are delighted to be celebrating their win of the AA Hotel of the Year for Scotland Award at the AA Hospitality Awards. We would like to congratulate General Manager Richard Cooke and the whole team at The Balmoral for their hard work, passion, and dedication to providing hospitality and service to the highest standards.”

The AA award follows a series of accolades for The Balmoral in 2022, including Forbes Travel Guide naming the property as the only hotel in Scotland to receive a Five Star Forbes Travel Guide award for the second year running.

In honour of 120 years of The Balmoral, the expert pastry team in Palm Court have created a special anniversary Afternoon Tea. The Balmoral is inviting guests to raise a glass of the finest Champagne to mark the occasion and enjoy a range of luxury sweet and savoury creations including winter citrus cakes with dried mandarins and basil, coconut gateau opera and chocolate and Maldon caramel religeuse.

Palm Court’s tea collection offers a selection of 88 thoughtfully curated loose-leaf teas to choose from to compliment the Afternoon Tea delicacies. The collection, one of the largest in Scotland, can be enjoyed under the beautiful installation of sparkling trees that proudly don the centre of Palm Court.

The 120th Anniversary Afternoon Tea runs in Palm Court from the 15th of October to 31st of October, from £50 per person.

BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.

71 Grassmarket Edinburgh EH1 2HJ Tel +44 131 225 8634

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