Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift for that someone special, or you’re planning the ultimate date night, St James Quarter is your go to destination.
From heavenly scents at H Beauty, champagne truffles from Hotel Chocolat, jewellery to treasure at Beaverbrooks, premium beauty at Rituals and Aesop, luxury leather goods at Coach and Kate Spade, stylish homewares at John Lewis and new season fashions at Boss and Zara – there’s plenty of gift ideas that are sure to put you in your Valentine’s good books!
If it’s a memorable date night you’re after, you’ll be spoilt for choice with an array of enticing eating and drinking destinations. There are creative cocktails in The Alchemist, authentic Mediterranean sharing platters at The Real Greek and mouth-watering burgers at Gordon Ramsay’s Street Burger.
For the early birds out there, EL&N are pulling out all the stops, providing the ideal date day with Insta-worthy shimmering mocktails and ruby pink hot chocolates, perfect for Cupid himself, alongside delicious cakes coated in lashings of heavenly buttered cream.
Guests looking to celebrate in style can visit Everyman Cinema to enjoy a first-class movie going experience and cosy up on a comfortable love seat. Those wanting to indulge in a little luxury can visit acclaimed restaurant Duck & Waffle to enjoy a specially curated Valentine’s Day set menu with champagne on arrival, snacks for the table, a choice of specially created dishes and delightful pink truffles to finish.
As part of St James Quarter’s Valentine’s celebrations, from Thursday, 9th February, guests are invited to visit the ‘Crazy in Love’ booth on Level 2, outside John Lewis, to record a video reciting the craziest thing they did for love to be in with a chance of winning an incredible date night experience at St James Quarter; to be enjoyed with your Valentine, Galentine, best buddy or favourite family member – the choice is yours!
On 11th and 14th February, St James Quarter will be sharing its own tokens of affection with guests by giving away a limited number of beautiful fresh red roses to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Those who are lucky enough to get their hands on one of these beautiful blooms will also be in with a chance to win a £50 gift card through an exclusive prize draw, redeemable at The Quarter.
Are you #CrazyInLove #LoveAroundTheQuarter
Nick Peel, Managing Director at St James Quarter, said: “Love is truly around The Quarter this Spring. Whether you’re looking to treat yourself or your significant other this Valentine’s Day, St James Quarter is the go to destination for that perfect gift or date night with a difference.
“We are looking forward to hearing all the crazy in love stories and are inviting guests to vote for the winner via our YouTube channel.”
Valentine’s day activities and retailer events will be taking place at St James Quarter from 9th – 14th February.
As Edinburgh prepares to welcome back the Six Nations Championship at BT Murrayfield, The Ivy on the Square has launched the ultimate cocktail menu inspired by the participating teams to honour the occasion and support the fans this rugby season.
With the first Scotland match in Edinburgh just around the corner, guests are invited to tackle the tension and try the latest creations made by the experienced bar team in the heart of the capital.
The six delicious cocktails include Scotts on the Rocks, (£10.50) featuring Plymouth gin, Chivas 12 year, ginger juice, lemon juice and clear honey, The Emerald Isle, (£12.00) consisting of Jameson, Lillet Rouge, Cointreau, lime juice, and a dash of whiskey barrel bitters, The G.O.A.T, (£10.50) a mix of Plymouth gin, Plymouth sloe gin, lemon juice and lavender syrup, garnished with a lavender sprig, Le Coqs, (£12.75) which includes, Beefeater gin, Lillet Blanc, lemon juice, sugar syrup and topped with The Ivy Champagne, English Rose, (£10.50) featuring Beefeater gin, Pimm’s and Elderflower cordial, topped with Fever Tree lemonade and garnished with a mint sprig, and finally the Zesty Italian, (£10.95) a tantalising mix of Malfy Arancia gin, Barolo Chinato, Campari and a dash of whisky barrel bitters.
To complete the game day offering, The Ivy has introduced a new limited-edition dessert Over The Line, a chocolate ganache with mint mousse, vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce – perfect for those rugby fans with a sweet tooth.
Guests are invited to try the limited-edition menu at The Ivy on the Square from today until 18 March (weekends only). To book a table, visit TheIvyEdinburgh.com.
Calling all brave and curious explorers, this February The Real Mary King’s Close is shining a light (or lack of) onto Edinburgh’s history, illuminating the lives of former residents and unravelling truths about their deaths with Lantern Led Tours.
The new Lantern Led Tours are available for a limited time only during Half Term, where guests will descend into complete darkness with the only light source being the flicker of their lanterns, as they explore Edinburgh’s history.
Hidden beneath the Capital’s iconic Royal Mile, Edinburgh’s best underground experience is ready to send those daring to on a time-traveling adventure. The one hour guided tour will transport customers to another era, with eerie interactions from two insidious characters that used to strike terror into people’s hearts at their very sight.
Paul Nixon, General Manager at The Real Mary King’s Close, said: “The Real Mary King’s Close is a place filled with excitement and mystery, where strange revelations of Edinburgh’s ominous past come to life.
“We are so excited to launch our Lantern Led Tours and elevate the experience to a whole new level. This is a great activity to do with family and friends over the February holidays, so come along and find out who is the bravest of the bunch.”
The Real Mary King’s Close stands as an important part of Edinburgh’s history. It teaches following generations about the incredible struggles people faced during the plague, the extreme living conditions, and the punishing impact of social hierarchy.
The tours will be running Friday 10th to Sunday 12th February and Friday 17th to Sunday 19th February from 7pm-9pm every 15 minutes. Prices are £25 per adult / £19 per child (5 to 15yo – no under 5 allowed).
Businesses in Edinburgh city centre are being encouraged to note their interest for Eat Out Edinburgh 2023; a tasty restaurant campaign returning to the capital for a second year.
Following the success of the inaugural Eat Out Edinburgh in 2022, Essential Edinburgh – the capital’s dedicated Business Improvement District (BID) – has announced that its two-week celebration of all things food, drink and hospitality will be back to help support the wider sector as it slowly recovers from the challenges from the past few years.
The BID comprises those businesses located from St James Quarter to St Andrew Square, to George Street and Princes Street and as far as the Johnnie Walker Whisky Experience. Essential Edinburgh is urging those interested businesses within the BID area to sign up soon, whether they participated in 2022 or would like to be a part of the 2023 campaign for the first time.
Celebrating the best of food, drink and hospitality, and with over 20 participating venues already confirmed, the Eat Out Edinburgh 2023 campaign will run for two weeks from 13th to 26th March.
A bumper list of participating Edinburgh venues will be announced in the coming weeks, promoting special tasting menus, set menus, events and exclusive offers to attract bookings and increased footfall throughout the campaign period.
From business breakfasts to leisurely lunches and evening gatherings over dinner and cocktails, the Eat Out Edinburgh campaign has been designed to bring friends, family and colleagues together whilst helping to support the city’s vibrant hospitality sector.
Roddy Smith, Chief Executive & Director, Essential Edinburgh, said: “Following the success of last year’s campaign, we are bringing back Eat Out Edinburgh for 2023 – with the help of our partner businesses in the hospitality industry, we want it to be bigger and better than 2022.
“This unique celebration of food and drink enables our residents, visitors and office workers to enjoy what’s on offer with special menus, events and offers for city centre workers.
“After the challenges of the past few years, there is a real appetite for people to come and enjoy all that our city centre has to offer. So whether you’re a local, from the wider Lothians region or visiting from further afield, we know there will be something on offer to suit all tastes.”
Business can register interest before Friday 10th February by contacting:
Enjoy a romantic set menu and love-inspired cocktails
The Ivy on the Square Brasserie is celebrating the season of love with a romantic set menu and bespoke cocktails available from Friday 10th February to Sunday 19thFebruary, making it the perfect place to spoil a loved one.
After receiving a glass of Veuve Clicquot Rose Champagne on arrival, guests can choose from a selection of dishes from The Ivy on the Square’s delicious three-course set menu full of culinary delights.
Priced at £75 per person, to start, diners are invited to enjoy a delicious starter, with options including a Duck Liver Parfait, served with caramelised hazelnuts, truffle, pear, and ginger compote with a toasted brioche, or Laverstoke Park Farm Buffalo Mozzarella served with red chicory, clementine, grapes, candy beetroot, and a spiced vinaigrette.
Main course options include Lobster Linguine in a tomato and chilli sauce, with vine cherry tomatoes, parsley, and spring onion, and Chargrilled Halloumi with Farro grains, crushed artichoke, hazelnuts, mushrooms, black truffle, and a plant-based sauce. If diners are looking for something even more special, a succulent, grass-fed Fillet of Beef is the perfect choice.
To finish, those with a sweet tooth can enjoy a sharing dessert perfect for couples or friends. The Raspberry Heart Mille Feuille features decadently layered white chocolate and puff pastry with a warm raspberry sauce, the perfect way to finish a romantic meal.
Alongside the sumptuous set menu, a duo of cocktails inspired by love will be available, designed to make even the cold-hearted blush. Guests can choose from a Heartbreaker on the Rocks (£12); a blend of Maker’s Mark Bourbon, Antica Formula, Cherry Heering, Chocolate wine and a dash of Campari, or a sweet Passion Berry Martini (£11), with Citric Blend, Crème de Fraise, and passion fruit syrup topped with prosecco.
Agata Lubera, General Manager at The Ivy on the Square says: “Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to treat those you love. Whether celebrating with friends, family or loved ones, we hope our guests enjoy our special set-menu and bespoke cocktails this Valentine’s Day.”
The Valentine’s Day Set Menu is available from 10th – 19th February and is priced at £75 per person for three courses and a glass of Veuve Clicquot Champagne. To book a table, please visit TheIvyEdinburgh.com.
The City Art Centre, Edinburgh, dedicated to championing historic and contemporary Scottish visual arts and crafts, announces an exciting range of exhibitions for 2023.
All shows, except the Peter Howson retrospective in the summer, will be free to attend. Further information on the individual exhibitions, including a varied public events programme, will be announced later in the year.
When the Apple Ripens: Peter Howson at 65 A Retrospective 27 May – 1 October 2023, £8.50/ £6.50
A major retrospective of works by Peter Howson, one of the UK’s leading figurative painters. The exhibition will bring together around 100 works spanning the artist’s career, many never seen before in Scotland.
Howson has established a formidable reputation in the art world. His heroic portrayals of the mighty and the lowly confront subjects of human conflict and destruction that offer a penetrating insight into the human condition.
His experiences of abuse – whether self-inflicted and substance-related, or the traumatic events of his childhood – have moulded his world view and afforded him an affinity with individuals on the margins of society.
The City Art Centre has been planning the exhibition since 2019, working closely with Howson and his London representatives Flowers Gallery. Howson has previously shown at the City Art Centre, when his critically acclaimed solo exhibition devoted to Scotland’s patron saint Andrew was displayed in 2007.
Emerging from Glasgow School of Art in the 1980s, Howson quickly proved his skill of capturing the maverick, the excessive, the non-conformist and his own personal understanding of the struggles of everyday life.
In 1992 he was commissioned by the Imperial War Museum to record the conflict in the former Yugoslavia. He was appointed official British war artist for Bosnia in 1993 and in 1996 was awarded Doctor of Letters at The University of Strathclyde. His work is included in numerous national and international museum collections.
Shifting Vistas: 250 Years of Scottish Landscape 24 June 2023 – 2 June 2024, Free Entry
For centuries, the Scottish landscape has provided artists with a potent source of inspiration. From scenes of mountains and forests to images of lochs and coastlines, the natural world attracts a range of creative responses.
Urban views of towns and cities prompt equally varied interpretations, as artists explore how people have shaped their surroundings. Today our relationship with the landscape has taken on further significance, with environmental concerns over climate change and loss of biodiversity.
Shifting Vistas: 250 Years of Scottish Landscape addresses this ever-evolving subject, with a selection of historic and contemporary artworks drawn from the City Art Centre’s permanent collection of fine art.
Spanning artistic production from the 18th century to present day, it includes paintings, drawings, prints and sculptures by artists such as Alexander Nasmyth, John Lavery, SJ Peploe, William Gillies, Joan Eardley and Victoria Crowe.
The exhibition also features several recent additions to the collection, on display for the first time.
The Scottish Landscape Awards 4 November 2023 – 3 March 2024, Free Entry
The City Art Centre is thrilled to host the inaugural exhibition of Scotland’s newest open call in contemporary art – The Scottish Landscape Awards.
Presented by the Scottish Arts Trust, the awards are open to artists born, living or studying in Scotland, and for works in any media including but not limited to painting, drawing, sculpture, animation, photography, installation, film and video, multi-media, and virtual reality landscapes.
With a first prize of £10,000, the exhibition will be curated by and the prize-winners chosen by a distinguished panel of judges including Barbara Rae (chair), David Mach, Jane and Louise Wilson, Ade Adesina and Marian Leven.
Reflecting all dimensions of natural and/or man-made environments whether imaginary, surreal, abstract, documentary, ecological or realistic, selected works will push the boundaries of what contemporary landscape art is. The resulting exhibition will showcase the breadth and diversity of innovative contemporary creativity in Scotland today.
Deep Rooted 18 November 2023 – 25 February 2024, Free Entry
Our relationship with the natural world hangs in a balance, with climate change and large-scale deforestation threatening the existence of our biodiversity. For many of us, the pandemic changed our relationship with nature.
It led to a growing appreciation of our gardens, allotments, woods, and public parks and the temporary reduction of traffic brought about the fleeting return of audible birdsong. Lockdowns particularly, reminded us just how important access to nature is for our physical and mental wellbeing and therefore something worth protecting.
Deep Rooted features work by six leading contemporary artists. Together, they explore the relationship between people and the natural environment using a variety of media and approaches.
Some of the works reflect on current ecological issues and urge for action, others explore our fragile relationship with the natural world or simply capture its beauty. All the works on display act as a reminder of the importance of valuing nature and in particular trees, which sustain our and other species’ existence.
In order to help fight this urgent climate crisis, we need to change some of our deep-rooted behaviours.
Councillor Val Walker, Edinburgh’s Convener of Culture and Communities said: “2023 looks set to be another fantastic year at the City Art Centre. There are many highlights throughout the year beginning in Spring with Peter Howson at 65. One of the most respected artists of his generation, we are very proud and excited that the City Art Centre will host this major study of his work.
“Later in the year we’ll explore the wonderful landscapes of Scotland through two unique exhibitions. The first of which will showcase how they have evolved over the last 250 years. We’re also delighted to host the inaugural exhibition of Scotland’s newest open call in contemporary art – The Scottish Landscape Awards.
“I’m very much looking forward to Deep Rooted in the winter, where the works of six contemporary artists will be brought together to explore our relationship as humans with the natural world. With climate change the most pressing cause of our time, this display is sure to question how we can change our deep-rooted behaviours for the good of the future.”
“The City Art Centre is one of the most accessible places in Edinburgh for art lovers, with five packed floors of exhibitions and a popular events programme and I would encourage everyone to pay us a visit.”
PAUL DUKE’s ‘No Ruined Stone’ Muirhouse photography exhibition runs until 19 Feb.
‘We are currently in attendance at a commercial building fire on Rose Street in Edinburgh‘
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 11.29am on Monday, January 23 to reports of a building fire at Rose Street.
“Operations Control immediately mobilised two appliances to the scene and on arrival firefighters found a building well alight.
“A further eight appliances, including a high reach, were mobilised and crews remain on scene as they work to extinguish the fire. No casualties have been reported.”
South St David Street and a number of surrounding roads, have been closed to traffic and pedestrians following the building fire.
Please avoid the area if possible and follow directions regarding alternative routes.
PICTURES:Gillian Webster, Connal Hughes, Anthony Brown, Whacko TM.
UPDATE at 7pm
Ross Haggart is the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s Interim Chief Officer. He said: “The fire at the Jenners building in Edinburgh is a very serious and complex incident and regrettably I can confirm that five of our colleagues were taken to hospital for treatment. Four have now been discharged however one remains in a critical condition.
“The families of all those affected have been made aware. We currently remain at the scene with a total of 11 appliances and other specialist resources in attendance.”
It’s the Year of the Rabbit and as people in Edinburgh prepare to celebrate Chinese New Year, St James Quarter has unveiled its exciting line up of celebrations taking place this weekend.
On Saturday 21st January, St James Quarter will play host to a range of Chinese New Year-themed activities including a traditional Lion Dance procession, on Register Square in an eye-catching and colourful display.
Performed by the talented team at Yee’s Hung Ga Kung Fu Edinburgh, the Lion Dance is commonly performed during Chinese New Year to bring good luck and guests will be able to enjoy two performances throughout the day at 12pm and 1pm.
St James Quarter will also be taking part in the traditional act of gift giving that is associated with Chinese New Year. Lucky shoppers will have the chance to get their hands on a limited number of red envelopes including gift cards – symbolising good wishes and luck for the year ahead. These will be handed out by the Guest Services team on Level 1 between 12 – 4pm and can be redeemed at retailers within the Quarter.
John Lewis will be inviting guests to learn the intricate art of Chinese calligraphy and create their own red banner for Lunar New Year on Level 1 of its store from 2pm, and brands including Charlotte Tilbury (located within H Beauty), LEGO, L’Occitane and Coach, will be showcasing Chinese New Year inspired limited-edition items.
If you’re looking to celebrate by indulging in traditional Asian cuisine, Thai Express Kitchen will be offering 20% off food from 20th – 27th January.
Nick Peel, Managing Director at St James Quarter, said: “Edinburgh is the multicultural hub for Scotland, and Chinese New Year is a great opportunity to experience the different cultures and traditions that we have here in the city.
“We hope that as many of our guests as possible will get involved in the exciting Chinese New Year activities we have planned at St James Quarter on Saturday, and we look forward to welcoming guests to The Quarter to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit with us”.
Sonder, a leading next-generation hospitality company that is redefining the guest experience through technology and design, has expanded its managed serviced apartment operation at Sonder Royal Garden Apartments in the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town.
Located opposite the National Portrait Gallery on Queen Street, the next-generation hospitality company has increased its previous 30 serviced apartments at the property to 41 units.
With the addition of these 11 new apartments, there are now 18 two-bedroom apartments, 15 one-bedroom apartments and 8 studios in total.
The apartments are thoughtfully designed, and come with simple contactless check-in and 24/7 on-the-ground support available via the Sonder app. They also offer access to the splendid Queen Street Gardens. These private gardens are located next to the building and are only open to neighbouring residents.
The property offers accommodation with in-unit kitchen and laundry facilities, ideal for extended stays, whether for business or leisure.
Sonder distinguishes itself in the hospitality industry through modern design and by infusing technology into its guest experience.
This tech-enabled experience puts guests in full control of their stay. They can access everything they need – from booking, to interacting with guest services, to check-out – via their own mobile device from anywhere and at any time, using the Sonder app.
The high quality of accommodation being offered has seen Royal Garden Apartments rated in the top 20 by TripAdvisor for Edinburgh.
Launched in 2014, Sonder operates in over 40 cities globally, including those located across North America, as well as London, Dublin, Rome and Dubai among others in EMEA.
Giulio Leporatti, Area General Manager for UK & Ireland at Sonder commented: “We’re excited to expand our Royal Garden Apartments property in Edinburgh, increasing our presence in the heart of this wonderful city.
“The rise of hybrid and remote working, as well as travellers combining business and leisure into a single trip, means that a new cohort of travellers are demanding flexible accommodation which provides space to work and relax.
“Our Royal Garden Apartments meet this need perfectly, while also appealing to families. Millennial and Gen Z guests in particular appreciate our ‘Instagrammable’ design and frictionless app-enabled service.”
