Category: city centre

Doors open at new all-day dining and entertainment venue

Virgin Hotels Edinburgh opens its doors at latest concept Eve

Virgin Hotels Edinburgh, the luxury lifestyle hotel brand by Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson, has officially launched its latest concept, Eve – an all-day dining space that will provide an array of food, beverages and entertainment.  

The vibrant social space opened its doors to the public today and is set to perfectly complement Edinburgh’s enviable food and drink scene from morning lattes to lights out.  

To celebrate the launch, Eve is offering all guests 50% off food for every reservation made from 7th-29th October and will be putting on a variety of live entertainment seven days a week throughout the month. Reservations can now be made directly on the hotel’s website at www.virginhotels.com/edinburgh/dine-and-drink/eve/ 

Situated at ground floor level, with an entrance from Cowgate, Eve holds up to 160 guests and is designed to be a playful environment to eat, drink and socialise in the heart of Edinburgh. With performance being at the core of the history of the Virgin brand, Eve will put on a diverse range of events showcasing the best of both Scottish and international culture. 

From exclusive one-off activations that will firmly put Eve on the map to weekly intimate events including ‘Musical Mondays’, ‘On Demand’ and ‘Live & Unsigned’, there will be something for everyone to enjoy. 

Alongside the lively entertainment, guests can order up a storm with a menu perfect for sharing with friends and family on any occasion whether it’s breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner.

The menu caters to all tastes with everything from small plates – including beef brisket croquettes and Scottish salmon crudo – to large plates offering flat iron steak and charcuterie boards as well as a selection of juicy burgers, hearty sandwiches and refreshing salad bowls.   

The interiors of Eve are like no other. The walls are adorned with floor-to-ceiling unique murals specifically curated by award winning Dutch graffiti artists, Studio Giftig, for the venue. Incorporating themes of space exploration, Scottish history, and Virgin legacy, these distinctive artworks create an immersive space that both celebrates and transcends the area’s rich history.  

Opened until late, guests are encouraged to enjoy a post dinner cocktail from a range of bespoke creations all with locality in mind, helping to bring a sense of Scotland into each of the flavours.

From Park Bench Aperitivos such as Strong-Beau, a nod to the nation’s favourite fruity cider, to twists on classic cocktails such as the ‘Pin-Up’, a reimagining of the Pornstar Martini and East 8 Holdup, the cocktail menu brings some nostalgic flavours firmly into the 21st Century. 

Scott McArdle, General Manager of Virgin Hotels Edinburgh, commented: “We are delighted to announce that Eve is officially open! We have already started to see Virgin Hotels Edinburgh come to life over the last few months and Eve is going to add even more flavour to what we already offer.

“This vibrant and lively space will be at the heart of the city’s entertainment with fantastic food, unique cocktails and an array of performances – there really is something for everyone to enjoy and we can’t wait to welcome everyone in.” 

Follow along on social media: Instagram @Eveedinburgh, Facebook @Evevhedinburgh  

St James Quarter and Fuse team up to support Scottish employment market

Following the success of last year’s recruitment fair, St James Quarter has partnered with retail and hospitality recruitment service FUSE to provide a new programme of career opportunities for the sector across Scotland. 

The recruitment fair will be held in St James Quarter’s Level 1 unit beside Next from 10:00 – 17:00 on Tuesday 11th of October and those interested are encouraged to sign up now.  

In 2021, the recruitment fair saw 300 local applicants attend on the day with 150 successful candidates invited for paid trial shifts and second interviews with many offered a job on the same day. The joint initiative is intended to provide a much needed boost for the local economy by creating new job opportunities across Edinburgh’s retail and hospitality industry.  

St James Quarter is on track to sustain the target of 3,000 new job roles for the local economy with an additional 1,500 vacancies set to be created following continual expansion plans within The Quarter and the development of W Hotel. FUSE has already successfully placed 2,000 candidates within The Quarter since its opening.  

This year at the recruitment fair, FUSE will be recruiting for 300 vacancies with a variety of positions from Christmas temp seasonal staff through to full and part time roles in a range of levels in retail, restaurant management, customer service and maintenance. Brands from across the Quarter such as Stradivarius, Bonnie and Wild, John Lewis & Partners, Coach, NEOM Organics and Duck & Waffle will all be looking for their newest team members. 

In a commitment to support the future of retail in Scotland, St James Quarter and FUSE are continuing to work together to help boost employment in the capital after 62% of those working at The Quarter revealed in a staff survey that their previous job was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving them unemployed and struggling to find work. 

Kitti Hovarth, Sales Assistant at Pull & Bear, who found work at St James Quarter through FUSE shares their experience: “During the pandemic, and like many others, I was left unemployed.

“I was unsure where I wanted to take my career and what opportunities were available to me at such an uncertain time. After finding out about FUSE and the recruitment fair, I was able to land a job at St James Quarter as a Sales Assistant.

“This opportunity has allowed me to not only gain experience and expand my skillset in customer service and teamwork, but it’s also boosted my confidence and taken a huge worry off my shoulders” 

Jennifer Laseen, Hospitality and F&B Director, St James Quarter said: “We are delighted to be working with FUSE again to find the right candidates for some amazing roles we have across the Quarter.

“The team at St James Quarter are proud to continue to support our team members and nurture new talent and we are encouraging all those who are interested to sign up to the recruitment fair now to avoid any disappointment.” 

Niamh Murphy, FUSE Manager, added: “The FUSE team are passionate about supporting St James Quarter and the local Edinburgh communities match employees to the right role within the Quarter.  

“Our expert knowledge of the industry allows us to provide a tailored approach to recruitment and continue to support team members and employers with further training, accredited qualifications, and ongoing networking opportunities” 

Edinburgh Castle launches first collaboration with award-winning brewery

Edinburgh Castle has announced the launch of a brand-new IPA – its first collaboration with the award-winning brewery, Stewart Brewing.

The IPA is the latest addition to the Edinburgh Castle range and is brewed and bottled in the Scottish capital by Stewart Brewing. Heaped with American Hops, the beer provides notes of tangy grapefruit, balanced out by Scottish malts to create an exceptionally smooth drink.

This new, exclusive bottling celebrates Scottish history, local businesses and innovation across the industry, with the label design taking inspiration from the topology of castle rock. Capturing both modern and historic artwork, the distinctive packaging offers a great memento particularly for tourists and beer fans.

Retailing at £3.50 per bottle and bottled at 5.0% ALC, the IPA will be available to purchase from the Edinburgh Castle shops and online through the Historic Environment Scotland website.

The Queen Anne’s Tea Room at the castle will also stock the new beer where visitors can enjoy the deliciously refreshing drink while taking a break from touring the iconic landmark.

Steve Stewart, founder and managing director at Stewart Brewing said: “It’s extremely exciting to see our partnership with Historic Environment Scotland come to life with the official launch of the Edinburgh Castle IPA.

“Quality and provenance are at the heart of both Stewart Brewing and Edinburgh Castle, and our team has worked extremely hard, using the finest ingredients, to brew this delicious beer and we hope consumers enjoy drinking Edinburgh Castle IPA as much as we enjoyed crafting it.” 

Natasha Troitino, head of retail at Historic Environment Scotland, which operates Edinburgh Castle, said: “We were keen to continue to expand our Edinburgh Castle range following the success of previous launches. With Scotland renowned for its leading craft beer industry, we knew we wanted to explore this further.

“The collaboration with Stewart Brewing felt like a natural partnership, using their expertise to capture the perfect flavour profile and offer something unique to our customers. It was important for us to team up with a local Edinburgh business to celebrate the very best of Scottish beer and the rich history of the castle.”

For more information and to purchase the new IPA, visit: www.stor.scot

Haute Dolci opens its doors in Edinburgh this Saturday

Luxury restaurant chain Haute Dolci will be opening its doors to diners in Edinburgh on the 8th of October, creating 30 local jobs and introducing its famous dessert and brunch menu to its first-ever Scottish store.

The flagship store is located in the vibrant St James Quarter and will form part of the cosmopolitan landscape of the city, offering shoppers a chance to enjoy the best in decadent sweet treats and mouth-watering savoury dishes.

The grand opening will start at 10am and will include a variety of entertainment throughout the day, so diners are urged to get there early to make the most of a DJ and magician.

Daniel Gillett, the restaurant manager for Haute Dolci in Edinburgh, said: “We’re delighted to be able to open our first ever Scottish store, bringing Haute Dolci’s stylish and friendly atmosphere to the people of Edinburgh.  

“The team has worked incredibly hard to ensure we’re ready to welcome guests to the grand opening and we are so excited to see lots of faces over the course of the day!”

 The grand opening follows the famous key hunt, which offers lucky dessert-lovers access to loyalty club benefits and discounts. Clues are still being shared via the restaurant chain’s social media channels — Facebook and Instagram in the run-up to the opening.        

For more information on the Haute Dolci brand or to make a reservation at the new Edinburgh restaurant, please visit hautedolci.co.uk.   

Haute Dolci franchise opportunities are available across the UK; please contact  Franchise@hauteworld.co.uk for more information. 

Edinburgh’s Car Free Day tomorrow

Edinburgh is set to join over 2,000 cities across the globe to celebrate World Car Free Day tomorrow with a free, community-focused event supported by The City of Edinburgh Council and organised by Crexcell.

As a mark of respect following the death of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Edinburgh’s Car Free Day was postponed from the official date of 22 September and will now be staged on Waverley Bridge tomorrow (Sunday, 2 October) between 11am and 7pm.

Waverley Bridge will be transformed into an inclusive community hub of information, inspiration and activity encouraging people to consider alternatives to car travel in Edinburgh. The city’s public transport operators, cycling and environmental campaigners, active travel and public safety organisations are all taking part.

The Council has set an ambitious target to reduce distances travelled by car in Edinburgh by 30% over the next decade, as well as achieving Net Zero status by 2030. With transport being one of the biggest carbon emission contributors, Edinburgh’s World Car Free Day event will encourage people to consider more sustainable modes of transport for their everyday journeys.

It will raise awareness of the the options available across the city, promote the health and wellbeing benefits of active travel and offer the essential information and support people need to commit to long-term change.

Amongst those already signed up to attend are Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams, who play a significant role in reducing reliance on more carbon intensive forms of transport by providing a quick, convenient and reliable alternative to driving. Members of the team will be at Waverley Bridge to chat about their services, including Park and Ride options, and the vast opportunities for – and the benefits of using – public transport.

Police Scotland will offer support to cyclists and walkers with cycle security and personal safety advice, bike marking and general crime prevention information.

The Bike Station, which inspires new cyclists by selling reliable and affordable upcycled bikes, will be on hand to offer bike safety checks and bikes to try out. The team will have information on safe cycle routes throughout the city, and bike to work and cycle-friendly employer schemes.

There will also be a hosted reception and information point, additional bike parking, a wellbeing area with health and fitness demonstrations and classes and a chill-out zone. Local singers and bands including Sara Forshaw, Folk Drama, and The Wispz will provide the musical entertainment throughout the day.

World Car Free Day is a worldwide initiative to encourage motorists to reset how they think about travel and use more sustainable transport. It promotes the improvement of public transport, cycling and walking, and the development of healthier, greener neighbourhoods where jobs are closer to home and where shopping is within a short walk, wheel or cycle from home.

Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “Choosing more sustainable modes of transport like bus, tram, bike or walking over the car not only benefits the world around us, but can have a really positive impact on our health and quality of life. Car Free Day gives us the chance to focus on these benefits, and to help people consider how they might try alternative ways to travel.

The Council has set some ambitious goals to reduce car kms travelled by 30% in the next decade, as well as delivering on our 20-minute neighbourhood vision to enable a net zero Edinburgh where everyone can live well locally. We need to rethink the way we move around the city to meet these targets. I would encourage people to come along on 2 October to find out more about the different ways we can travel around the capital.

Neil Booth, Edinburgh Trams’ Safety Manager (Environment), added: “Car-free days provide a massive opportunity for cities to raise awareness of how pollution affects our lives, and highlight how congested roads can be used in different ways.

At Edinburgh Trams we are fully committed to helping to make Edinburgh healthier, safer and more attractive for both residents and visitors by providing a quick, convenient and reliable alternative to driving into the city centre.

Edinburgh’s ten-year City Mobility Plan aims to transform the way we move around the city, reducing emissions and air pollution, positively impacting public health and tackling congestion amongst other benefits.

Actions include projects like City Centre Transformation, Trams to Newhaven, George Street and First New Town, 20-Minute Neighbourhoods, Low Emission Zone and the extension of 20mph speed limits, as well as behaviour change initiatives and seamless public transport ticketing.

Castle of Light returns to the capital this winter with new illuminated trail

The colourful kaleidoscope theme for the 2022 event teased as special early bird tickets go on sale

Edinburgh Castle will transform into a ‘Kingdom of Colours’ this winter as the capital’s most iconic landmark is illuminated with state-of-the-art projections to highlight stories from Scotland’s history.

Guests can expect a truly immersive experience as Edinburgh Castle is brought to life once again through spectacular light and sound displays to brighten up the darker months.

Joining forces for a third year, Double Take Projections, NL Productions, Andy McGregor and War Productions Ltd, in partnership with Historic Environment Scotland, are back with an “all new for 2022” trail, creating another unmissable event in Edinburgh. Back by popular demand is the beloved Rex the lion rampant who will guide guests through colourful thematic zones during the 60-minute walking tour.  

Early bird tickets are available until midnight on Friday 7 October for the world-class light trail running for six weeks over the festive period, Friday 18 November to Friday 30 December 2022 (select dates). A magical experience for people of all ages, the event will also have a fantastic selection of food and drink available for visitors as they make their way through the castle grounds.

Ticketed entry slots will run every 15 minutes between 4.30pm and 7.30pm each evening, with last entry between 7.30pm and 7.45pm. The event closes at 9pm. Adult early bird tickets cost £18 (using the promo code: COLSM22), with concession rates, family tickets and discounts for Historic Scotland members also available.

For more information and to get your tickets, visit www.CastleofLight.scot. 

St Giles Service today: plan ahead

TODAY – Monday 12 September at 3pm – there will be a Service to celebrate the life of The Queen and her connection to Scotland at St Giles Cathedral. 

Those represented at the service include members of the public, friends, family members and representatives of the charities and organisations The Queen was affiliated to in Scotland.

The service will be led by the Reverend Calum MacLeod.

There will be limited space along the Royal Mile. Those wishing to attend are advised to allow plenty of time. Access may be restricted for safety reasons.

Her Majesty The Queen will then lie at rest at St Giles’ Cathedral following the service.  Members of the public are anticipated to begin arriving to pay their respects from 5pm until tomorrow afternoon (Tuesday 13 September).

This is expected to cause further delays and road closures and Lothian advises customers to plan ahead.

Travellers should check Lothian’s service alerts page here or  the app for the latest information. 

Guidance has also been issued for how public can attend Her Majesty The Queen’s Lying-in-State at Westminster Hall:

  • Lying-in-State will take place from Wednesday 14 September until Monday 19 September
  • Public will be able to walk past The Queen’s coffin to pay respects
  • A ceremonial procession which precedes the Lying-in State will convey Her Majesty The Queen from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall

Members of the public will be able to pay their respects to Her Majesty The Queen at the Lying-in-State at The Palace of Westminster in London from Wednesday evening.

Ahead of that a ceremonial procession will take place on Wednesday afternoon that will see The Queen’s coffin travel from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster for the Lying-in-State.

Members of the public can watch the procession in person at the ceremonial viewing areas along the processional route, or at a screening site in Hyde Park.

At the Lying-in-State, The Queen’s closed coffin will rest on a raised platform, called a catafalque, in Westminster Hall and will be draped in the Royal Standard with the Orb and Sceptre placed on top.

Each corner of the platform will be guarded around the clock by a vigil of units from the Sovereign’s Bodyguard, the Household Division, or Yeoman Warders of the Tower of London.

The public will be able to file past the coffin 24 hours a day from 5pm on Wednesday 14 September until 6.30am on the day of the funeral – Monday 19 September.

Those wishing to attend will be required to queue for many hours, possibly overnight. Large crowds are expected and people are encouraged to check ahead, plan accordingly and be prepared for long wait times.

All those attending the Lying-in-State will go through airport-style security and there are tight restrictions on what you can take in, with only small bags permitted. Step-free access will be available for those who need it.

For those unable to travel, key moments of the ceremonial procession and the Lying-in-State will be broadcast on the BBC, Sky News and ITV.

Temporary road closures and travel info: public urged to plan ahead

Temporary road closures have come into force across Edinburgh’s city centre, as the city prepares to host major ceremonial events to mark the passing of Her Majesty The Queen over the coming days.

Further closures are planned and significant disruption is expected as full details are confirmed by the Royal Household in due course.

The City of Edinburgh Council is working with Scottish Government and Police Scotland to safely accommodate the thousands of people expected to line the city’s streets as people pay their respects.

The general public are being advised to plan ahead and avoid any non-essential travel through the city centre (particularly the Old Town) during this period. People should regularly check the City of Edinburgh Council website, which is being updated with details of which roads will be closed and other public transport information.

People can also follow the relevant transport agencies, Scottish Government and Royal Household for up-to-date advice.

Mourners wishing to take part in events are being advised to plan ahead and take account of the weather conditions, limited facilities and the likelihood of spending long periods at the roadside. 

Council Leader Cammy Day said: “On behalf of the whole city of Edinburgh, I offer our heartfelt condolences to all the members of the royal family at this time of sadness and sorrow.

“Our city is highly experienced in handling major events, and we are working closely with Scottish Government, Police Scotland and transport providers to safely accommodate the large crowds of visitors who will wish to pay their respects to Her Majesty The Queen and the Royal Family over the next few days.

“Given the scale and significance of these ceremonial events, we have to be prepared for significant disruption across the city, but particularly in the city centre. We’re closely with our partners to manage this as best we can and to keep residents, businesses and visitors updated on all plans.  

“We are also urging everyone to consider their travel needs and avoid any journeys through the city centre where possible. If they do need to travel, we’re asking them to plan ahead, allow extra time for their journeys and follow the very latest travel advice.

Sarah Boyd, Lothian, Managing Director said: “Following the sad passing of Her Majesty The Queen, teams across our business are working together with external partners to plan for further road closures which are expected across the city in the coming days.

“We would ask customers to plan ahead where possible and continue to check our website and social media channels for the latest travel information.

For the most up-to-date information, visit:

www.edinburgh.gov.uk, www.gov.scot and www.royal.uk.

The @edintravel traffic information team will be carefully monitoring the city’s roads, sharing the latest information on disruption and diversions on Twitter.

Users should also follow Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams to keep people informed about their services.

Final weekend of the 2022 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo has landed

Monarch butterfly inspired performers from Banda Monumental De México, part of this year’s Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo cast, landed at Ross Fountain in Princes Street Gardens today ahead of the final weekend of this year’s Show, Voices.

In full colourful costume and traditional Day of the Dead makeup, the magnificent monarch butterfly performers dazzled onlookers in the shadow of the iconic Edinburgh Castle, the home of the Tattoo. Banda Monumental de México has captured the imaginations of audiences throughout August with over 100 performers bringing the bright carnival atmosphere of Mexico to their show-stopping performance.

The butterfly costumes are a tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh and Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, inspired by an image of the late Duke of Edinburgh watching the butterflies migration during a trip he attended to support conservation of the species.

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo runs until Saturday 27 August 2022.

Limited tickets remain for the final weekend and can be purchased at edintattoo.co.uk/tickets or on the phone on 0131 225 1188.