Luxury Hotels Atlas / Places / United Kingdom / Edinburgh / The Scotsman Hotel
The Scotsman Hotel
Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom · Independent · Near Luxury
Dunn and Findlay built 20 North Bridge as headquarters for The Scotsman, and one of the architects, James Leslie Findlay, was the proprietor's son. The presses sat in the lower floors, a pigeon loft under the roof, and a private railway siding ran into Waverley so the edition could leave by train. The paper moved to Holyrood, and the building opened as a hotel in 2001. You eat in the old advertising hall, now the Grand Cafe, and the bedrooms still answer to newspaper jobs: Reporter, Director, Publisher.
- Opened 2001
- Neighborhood: Old Town Edinburgh
- Rooms from 290 sq ft (27 m²)
- Architect: Dunn & Findlay
About The Scotsman Hotel
- Martin Creed finished the Scotsman Steps in 2011, beside the hotel: 104 steps, each cut from a different marble.
- The duplex penthouse has its own stair from the street, then a spiral inside, a balcony toward the castle, and a roll-top bath with a sauna.
- The Scotsman Picturehouse is a one-screen cinema inside the hotel: 48 leather armchairs, a table at each, and empire lamps.
- The original board room is still used for meetings, and the Jura and Fettercairn suites open onto a hidden courtyard.
- Entry-level rooms start at 290 sq ft (27 m²).
History
John Ritchie and Co, proprietors of The Scotsman, bought the North Bridge site in 1898 after the bridge was widened. Dunn and Findlay designed the offices and printing works. James Leslie Findlay was the son of proprietor John Ritchie Findlay. The building went up at the turn of the century, and the finished house is dated 1905. A private siding linked the lowest floor to Waverley. The paper left for Holyrood and the house opened as a hotel in 2001. The Grand Cafe occupies the former advertising hall. The Hide and the Press Bar are the other drinking rooms.
The setting
20 North Bridge, EH1 1TR, on the bridge between the Old Town and the New Town, above Market Street and Waverley. The Scotsman Steps, Martin Creed's marble stair of 2011, run down the side of the building toward the station. The castle, Calton Hill, and the Scott Monument are the views the hotel names from the upper floors.
Restaurants and bars
- The Hide Bar — Bar
- Press Bar — Bar
- Grand Café — Café
Experiences
- Whisky tasting — Tailored whisky tasting with four drams in the Press Bar, lasting 60 minutes.
Amenities
- Impressive whisky selection
- Uniquely special garden terrace
- Early 2pm check-in available for £15 per room
- Bridal room
- Garden Suite ceremony space
- Penthouse balcony
- Hidden courtyard
- Art Deco cinema used for ceremonies
- Dedicated wedding planners
- Menu tasting for two
- Licensed for civil and humanist ceremonies
- Late licence available
- Microphone and PA for speeches
- Recommended suppliers list
- Personalised menus and place cards
Open The Scotsman Hotel in the atlas for live weekend rates, photos, and the full folio.
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