Don’t miss our upcoming performance of J.S. Bach’s famous Magnificat!
Free-entry! No need to book to hear this beautiful choral music!
This liturgical performance will be interspersed with short readings for Advent.
The countdown to the most festive time of the year is officially on, and as the lights begin to twinkle and thoughts turn towards celebrations, there is no better place to start the festivities than Johnnie Walker Princes Street, Edinburgh.
This has been a milestone year for the venue which celebrated its third anniversary and one million visitors from over 141 countries since opening, and last week was once again crowned as the World’s Leading Spirit Experience in the World Travel Awards, known as the Oscars of tourism.
Bringing in the most festive time of the year, the venue is getting ready for party season with festive discounts on whisky and retail items, prize draws of a seasonal bottling and experiences*, canapes, alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails and non-alcoholic hot-toddies, plus performances from Wicked Pitch Choir, all available between 6-8 December.
The venue is a must-visit location throughout November and December for anyone looking for festive food and drinks, a whisky experience like no other, or a place to pick up the perfect gift for loved ones.
Don’t miss the venue’s annual wintery projection which will be lighting up Princes Street with eight-storey high nutcrackers, beautifully wrapped presents, and a stunning snowscape to mark its newly released Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ice Chalet bottle in collaboration with Priyanka Chopra Jonas.
Go online to explore the experiences available or book your spot at the 1820 Rooftop Bar: JohnnieWalkerPrincesStreet.com.
Festive food and drink at the 1820 Rooftop Bar
‘Tis the season for enjoying the very best food and drink, and the 1820 Rooftop Bar has just that. If you’re looking to bring in the festive season with friends or work-mates over a festive meal, or need somewhere to relax after a long day of shopping, pick from a range of small to large plates of delicious, locally sourced food.
Cocktails and mocktails are available at the 1820 Rooftop Bar and are complimented by expansive views over the Edinburgh City skyline and the Edinburgh Castle. Crafted by the talented in-house team, you can select from classic cocktails to something a bit more creative such as the maple syrup + five spice lowball.
This mix of Johnnie Walker Green Label, Maple Syrup Port of Leith Oloroso Sherry and the house-made five spice liquid infusion packs flavour and comes and topped with that all important black sesame cracker.
Book your spot now.
One stop shop for gifting
An experience in itself, visitors can explore one-off rare gifts, to stocking fillers and much more. Discover a treasure trove of Johnnie Walker exclusives, single malt whiskies. From peaty to smoky to sweet flavours, there’s something for every palate, plus you can even get hands-on by filling, bottling, and engraving your own seasonal Johnnie Walker blend which is the perfect gift.
Gift boxes can be packed full of Johnnie Walker goodies galore. Select the perfect combo for the lucky person on your gift list – Christmas tree baubles, crackers, a Johnnie Walker hat made from sustainable materials or a miniature bottle of the iconic Johnnie Walker Blue Label, make your pick and be sure to stand out at this year’s Secret Santa.
Kind spirits looking to give the gift of whisky to a loved one are also in luck. Johnnie Walker Princes Street whisky gift cards in store to give the gift of choice, from exclusive bottlings, clothing and accessories; or arrange an e-gift card online for one of the brilliant experiences.
Experiences
Experiences continue to be on the rise when it comes to what people are looking for during gifting season – at Johnnie Walker Princes Street, you can hand-pick an experience for the favourite people in your life based on their preferences. From experiences for those new to whisky, to guided tastings from experts for those better acquainted with the liquid and its origins, choose from a host of options and make someone’s winter.
Journey of Flavour (£30)
Perfect for a gift, or just for marking the most magical time of year with loved ones, add the immersive 90-minute Journey of Flavour Tour to your plans, and set off on a whisky discovery experience where personal flavour preferences are mapped with drinks tailored to each individual palate.
Book Journey of Flavour here.
Whisky Maker’s Cellar (£95)
One for the whisky lovers, here guests can delve further into the plethora of whiskies made across Scotland including newly added exclusive casks, Mortlach and Roseisle. With tastings of rare and exceptional drams, plus the chance to watch as an expert guide draws from a cask and blends a truly unique iteration just for you – this is a must-do experience for anyone who loves their Scotch.
Book the Whisky Maker’s Cellar here.
Johnnie & The Chocolatier Experience (£65)
Treat your loved ones to two of life’s luxuries at this pairing experience. Tap into the senses and taste whisky like never have before – explore the depth of flavours and complexity of taste with four delicious Johnie Walker drams, alongside chocolates from the renowned Highland Chocolatier, Iain Burnett.
Book Johnnie & The Chocolatier Experience here.
Johnnie Walker Blue Label & Ice Chalet Tasting Experience (£30)
Perfectly on season, try out the newly released Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ice Chalet by Master Blender Emma Walker in a 45-minute sensory tasting at Johnnie Walker Princes Street’s exclusive Cinema Room. A stunning blend of drams from some of Scotland’s highest distilleries distilled in the coldest of winters, you can sample this unique, velvety-smooth whisky which evokes fresh snow, warm fires and crisp mountain air.
Book The Ice Chalet Experience here.
Rob Maxwell, head of Johnnie Walker Princes Street, said: “It’s been a year of celebrations for us here at Johnnie Walker Princes Street, and as we approach our third festive season in Edinburgh, we are looking forward to celebrating with our guests.
“Our stunning projection is the tip of the iceberg when it comes to us marking party season in style – once guests step inside, they’re in for a treat, whether they’re in for an experience, a cocktail or a spot of shopping.
“If you’re looking for something wintery, we have it in the form of the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ice Chalet bottle which comes with its own carrier as designed by luxury ski-wear brand Perfect Moment, or if you’re staying out the cold head up to the 1820 Rooftop Bar and look down, cocktail in hand, as the lights sparkle across the city welcoming in the most wonderful time of the year.”
To book your Johnnie Walker experience, and for more information, visit:
Six by Nico, the dynamic dining experience in Edinburgh known for its six-week tasting menu rotation, has unveiled its latest six-course concept, transporting guests back to the good old days with déjà vu food that serves a taste of forgotten flavours with every bite.
Taking inspiration from CEO and Founder Nico Simeone’s childhood favourites and his families festive traditions, the latest concept menu is full of creative twists on old school classic flavours that will never fade.
The latest menu will run at Six by Nico’s city centre locations including Queensferry Street and Hanover Street, for six weeks from 16th December 2024 to 26th January 2025, using timeless tastes to help guests forget about being an adult for a while.
The menu includes the following dishes:
Snacks – Space Raiders
Crushed Baby Potato, Pickled Onion, Garlic Emulsion & Fermented Melon Hot Sauce
Course 1 – Blockbuster
Aged Comte, Hazelnut & Serrano Ham “Taco”
Course 2 – Super Mario
Roasted Maitake, Smoked Celeriac, Cep Gnocchi, Lovage, Truffle & Sherry Cappuccino
Course 3 – “Let’s go camping!”
Smoked Pork Sausage, Aged Belly, Red Pepper Romesco, Nasturtium & Almond
Course 4 – Fish Fingers
Barbecue Coley, Miso Carrot & Lobster Emulsion served with Crispy Fish Finger, Shellfish Bisque & Salted Kumquat
Course 5 – Guess Who?
A classic game inspires our dish, but can you Guess Who?
Course 6 – “SNOWBALL FIIIGHT!!”
Coconut Parfait, Lime Gel, 55% Chocolate, Yoghurt “Snow”
Vegetarian
Snacks – Space Raiders
Crushed Baby Potato, Pickled Onion, Garlic Emulsion & Fermented Melon Hot Sauce
Course 1 – Blockbuster
Aged Comte, Hazelnut & Quince “Taco”
Course 2 – Super Mario
Roasted Maitake, Smoked Celeriac, Cep Gnocchi, Lovage, Truffle & Sherry Cappuccino
Course 3 – “Let’s go camping!”
Smoked Potato, Red Pepper Romesco, Nasturtium & Almond
Course 4 – Fish Fingers
Barbecue Hispi Cabbage, Miso Carrot & Vadouvan served with Smoked Onion Foam & Carrot Cromesquis
Course 5 – Guess Who?
A classic game inspires our dish, but can you Guess Who?
Course 6 – “SNOWBALL FIIIGHT!!”
Coconut Parfait, Lime Gel, 55% Chocolate, Yoghurt “Snow”
For £44, guests will be able to experience the old school flavours of Nostalgia, with a matching wine pairing from £30 per person or cocktail pairing from £40 per person. Start the experience with the snack selection for only £10 per person.
Nico Simeone, CEO and Founder of the Six Company, commented: “Our final menu of 2024 and the first of 2025 pays homage to nostalgia, inviting guests on a journey through flavours that evoke personal memories.
“Inspired by reflections on my childhood, it draws on moments from an era spent watching films, playing games, or enjoying time outdoors with friends.
“While New Year often focuses on resolutions, this menu celebrates traditions and revisits the timeless magic of Christmas through familiar and comforting tastes.”
This is for anyone who is homeless and/or suffering from addiction 
Please share everyone x
ST Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral in Palmerston Place are delighted to announce that they feature on Royal Mail’s Second Class Christmas postage stamp this year!
CHRISTMAS stamps for 2024 from Royal Mail feature original illustrations of five UK cathedrals: St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, Edinburgh; St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh; Liverpool Cathedral; St Deiniol’s Cathedral, Bangor; and the RC Westminster Cathedral.
The Royal Mail’s director of external affairs and policy, David Gold, said at the launch: “Cathedrals are a hugely significant part of our cultural heritage and play an important role in local communities.
“They also offer space for peaceful reflection and a bit of an escape from the challenges of daily life, which can be especially important at Christmas.”
Designed by the British artist Judy Joel, the stamps were revealed for the first time today – 5 November.
Royal Mail described the five buildings as “some of the most spectacular cathedrals in the UK”, highlighting the first, Edinburgh, designed by Sir Gilbert Scott and consecrated in 1879, as “boldly harking back to upwardly soaring medieval Gothic cathedrals, with its three spires dominating Edinburgh”.
Royal Mail worked closely with Janet Gough, formerly director of cathedrals and church buildings for the Church of England, and an authority on historic churches. Ms Gough said: “These special stamps are a reminder that, for centuries past, cathedrals have provided sanctuary, community, joy, and wonder at the birth of Christ”.
“And they continue to do so today, standing at the very heart of our cities. All the UK cathedrals will be open over Christmas, ready to welcome people of all faiths and none. For services, prayer, and celebration, to find peace, or to enjoy the splendour of their music, architecture, and treasures, visit a cathedral this Christmas.”
The stamps, together with a range of collectibles, are now on sale.
Why not visit St Mary’s Cathedral this Christmas? https://tinyurl.com/49zxue2u
Johnnie Walker Princes Street, the World’s Leading Spirit Tourism Experience, is celebrating a massive milestone this week, having now welcomed over 1 million visitors from 141 countries just three years since opening its doors.
Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray was on site today congratulating the team as they celebrated the milestone.
The venue leverages AI powered personalisation technology to help guests discover their personal flavour profile, which is then used to tailor their experience on Johnnie Walker Princes Street’s signature “Journey of Flavour”.
To date, the experience has collected the flavour profiles of over 100,000 guests, an invaluable resource for product development. The experience seeks to inspire visitors to explore the wider world of Scotch Whisky as it relates to their own personal tastes, breaking down barriers including those around how the drink should be enjoyed by focusing on cocktail culture, serving almost 700K highballs and cocktails alone since opening.
Johnnie Walker Princes Street serves as a key destination within Scotland’s vibrant food and drink landscape, attracting visitors eager to immerse themselves in local culture. According to the Scotland Visitor Survey 2023, nearly half (46%) of visitors to the country engage in food and drink activities during their stay, with 26% visiting a whisky, gin distillery or brewery, and 21% visiting a whisky distillery.
The venue’s formula has proved a successful one, with Johnnie Walker Princes Street garnering an impressive “Net Promoter Score”, a trusted metric for measuring customer experience, of 85, and 91% of visitors’ perception of Johnnie Walker improving post visit using “brand conversion” tracking.
The nearly 50/50 male and female gender split is a particular point of pride.
The Rt Hon Ian Murray MP, Secretary of State for Scotland, said: “It was incredibly exciting to visit Johnnie Walker Princes Street today to celebrate this hugely important milestone.
“It’s a fantastic attraction, making a huge contribution to Edinburgh’s tourism and the local economy. And of course, it’s a huge promotion for Scotch whisky, one of Scotland’s biggest success stories, and a key part of Brand Scotland.”
Guests from Australia to Zimbabwe and everywhere in between have passed through the venue’s doors since September 2021. With 24% of guests visiting from countries with high spend per head like the US 7 and 80% of visitors noting Johnnie Walker Princes Street’s place in supporting the growth of Scottish Tourism 2.
Vicki Miller, Chief Executive at VisitScotland, said: “This is an amazing achievement by Johnnie Walker Princes Street. It is a testament to the investment and confidence of Diageo in creating a luxury visitor experience in the centre of the city, and the staff, whose work has maintained its popularity.
“Scotch whisky is a unique part of our cultural heritage and as such is hugely important to what makes Scotland a must-visit destination. Our own research shows that a quarter of all visitors to Scotland take in a whisky, gin or brewery experience.
“Since opening in 2021, Johnnie Walker Princes Street has become an essential attraction while complementing the burgeoning food and drink experiences across the city. Its popularity will no doubt have helped support the successful post-pandemic recovery of international tourism.”
Dafydd Pugh Williams, Managing Director of Diageo’s Scotland Brand Homes added: “Johnnie Walker Princes Street was launched to recruit consumers from around the World to Johnnie Walker and indeed the entire Scotch Whisky category.
“We wanted to disrupt consumer perceptions of Whisky through offering a pioneering experience which demonstrated the huge breath of flavours with the category, the incredible history of Johnie Walker and champion the people and communities which have helped make the brand a global icon.
“We could not be prouder of the venue’s hugely dedicated team who have made such an impact on so many guests in just three short years. We’d like to thank our colleagues in the Scotch Whisky Association and Visit Scotland for their continued support as we work together to showcase Scotch, and Scotland, to the world.
“Most excitingly we feel like we’re just getting started and there is plenty more growth to come as we Keep Walking.”
Follow Johnnie Walker Princes Street:
Join us for a world première!
Our renowned choir will give the first performance of Joanna Marsh composer‘s new piece ‘The Everlasting Covenant’ at Choral Evensong on Sun 6th Oct at 3.30pm!
All welcome to join us, for FREE. https://tinyurl.com/3w9pnztw
St Mary’s Music School, Scotland’s national music school, is celebrating the most significant legacy to be received in its 50-year-long history, thanks to the generosity of School supporter and music enthusiast, the late David Hutcheson.
A great music lover, David was a major supporter of the Edinburgh School in his later years and a regular attender at its concerts and performances. He believed passionately in supporting young people and music.
His legacy to the School, which will total more than one million pounds, comes at an exciting time in the history of St Mary’s Music School, as it looks to develop and modernise its facilities and provide the best possible experience for generations of talented young musicians to come.
St Mary’s Music School Headteacher, Dr Kenneth Taylor, remembers David fondly: “David was a great music aficionado and a generous supporter of the School. His support of our young musicians during his lifetime was wonderful but his legacy is nothing short of remarkable.
” We are deeply grateful to David for supporting the School with such a significant gift. His generosity will live on with the School and help our aspiring young musicians to go on to careers as professional instrumentalists, composers, singers, conductors and music teachers around the world.”
A music aficionado
Born in the Borders and raised in a musical family, it was David’s mother – an excellent violinist – who inspired in him a lifelong love of music and encouraged him to become an accomplished pianist himself.
A keen collector throughout his life, David amassed a significant collection of antique furniture, British & European paintings and silver.
Highlights of his collection will be auctioned by Lyon & Turnbull in their forthcoming Five Centuries sale on 4 – 5 September and across a range of specialist auctions this autumn.
All will benefit St Mary’s Music School, as was his wish.
A new outdoor exhibition of photographs by five local photographers has gone on display in Edinburgh’s busy urban thoroughfares.
Living Spaces, commissioned by Places for People Scotland, part of the UK’s leading social enterprise, has been installed in five different locations across the city, all of which were identified as vandalism hotspots following numerous repairs and treatments by the Places for People Scotland team over the years.
After identifying the locations, Places for People Scotland brought local photographers on board, who suggested various images which they believed would work well across the sites.
The artists and Places for People Scotland recognised the importance of resident participation in this project – as these are ‘living spaces’ – and customers living in the area were invited to select the final images to go on display using an online poll.
The chosen photographs vary from moments of calm within the natural world, to colourful snapshots of interior and exterior life around the city.
Katie Smart, Director of Places for People Scotland said: “We are delighted to see this project come to life, our goal with this project was to transform living spaces across the city that had been victim to vandalism for both our customers whose homes are in the area and the wider Edinburgh community.
It was important to us to involve our customers in the decision process, it feels extra special knowing that the artwork has been chosen by those most affected whilst being able to provide incredible local photographers with a platform for their work.”
Christina Webber, participating photographer and Director of AGITATE, said: “It’s such a joy to see this project realised and AGITATE are proud to host a version of the work at 6WS during the Festival season.
“We love the August buzz and to be able to platform local artists to a visiting international audience is a really important opportunity.
“As a photographer, exhibiting work in alternative spaces with so many people passing each day is really exciting. Engagement with photography is so often digital, having the chance to be part of people’s everyday journeys is a privilege.”
Smaller scale versions of all the works are on display at 6 William Street (6WS) throughout August, alongside a Festival ‘rest space’ and a short programme of drop-in workshops to complement the work.
The artists whose work is included in the project are:
Dave Ferrie
Everything that exists in cities is of interest to Dave, but particularly the areas where old and new meet, and the spaces where nature and man-made structures coexist.
Dave loves exploring urban environments and photographing the moments, places and sights which grab his attention.
Kat is a graduate of both Stevenson College (now Edinburgh College) and Edinburgh Napier University, where she graduated with first class honours, and has over 15 years experience in the photography industry.
Kat specialises in events, portraiture and live performance. As well as commercial photographic work, she teaches photography, and is an exhibited photographic artist and a published writer on the subject.
Zoe is a photographer from Co. Antrim, now living in Edinburgh.
She is interested in the relationship between humans and the environment, as well as the systems of classification that we use to make sense of the world around us.
Jack Low
Jack Low is a lens-based visual artist based in Glasgow, having studied Photography and Film at Edinburgh Napier University.
Drawn into photography at a young age through an interest in technology, he has produced works critically examining modern culture, social media and the human condition through means of installation pieces and typologies.
Christina Webber
Christina is a visual artist who loves pictures, words, and their potential when put together. She completed a First Class BA (Hons) in Photography & Film from Edinburgh Napier University in 2015, and works as a Freelance Digital Communicator for a variety of clients.
Additionally, Christina is Co-Director of AGITATE, a hub for photography based in Edinburgh’s West End.
Our Cathedral Choir is back this Sunday for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe following summer break!
All are welcome to experience the beauty of St Mary’s and its musicians all year, for free.
Festival Services with the Choir start this Sun 11th Aug; Choral Evensong is at 3.30pm, while the Cathedral Eucharist is at 10.30am.
Full Festival Service details: https://www.cathedral.net/whats-on
The Cathedral Choir also has a concert on Fri 23 Aug at 6pm: https://www.cathedral.net/…/cathedral-choir-classical…
