Tag: homelessness

Social Bite Founder, Josh Littlejohn MBE, publishes his first book

Dame Helen Mirren and Martin Compston are among those celebrating the book launched on Thursday 17th August

Leading social entrepreneur Josh Littlejohn MBE who has spearheaded initiatives that have raised over £25 million to help end homelessness, and can count George Clooney and Leonardo DiCaprio as supporters, has launched his first book, Paying It Forward: How to Be a Social Entrepreneur.

Paying It Forward, which is part memoir, part manifesto for social entrepreneurship, and part manual for putting purpose ahead of profit, has already gained praise from early readers including Sir Bob Geldof, novelist Irvine Welsh, film director Richard Curtis CBE, Olympian Sir Chris Hoy and actors Martin Compston and Dame Helen Mirren.

In the book labelled ‘an essential read for our times’ by Richard Curtis CBE, Josh gives practical advice and guidance to those looking to enter the world of social entrepreneurship and shares inspirational stories from homeless people he has met over the last decade.

Josh also shares his personal story, exploring the ups and downs of founding and growing Social Bite – from opening a string of cafés, to creating a village to house homeless people, and staging fundraising ‘sleep outs’ all over the world.

Celebrating the launch in Social Bite’s original café in Edinburgh, Josh Littlejohn said: “I’m thrilled to launch my first ever book, Paying it Forward, which tells my story and chronicles all of the ups and downs, trials and tribulations, and humour of life as a social entrepreneur.

“I hope it offers practical lessons to inspire anyone interested in using their own skills to make a difference in the world. Most importantly,

“I hope it shines a light on the remarkable people I have met over the years from homeless backgrounds who inspire me every day. It’s been a pleasure to work with the team at Heligo Books on Paying it Forward and I’m so excited for people to read the book.”

Josh began working on the homelessness issue when he co-founded a small café in Edinburgh in 2012 and a young homeless man named Peter Hart plucked up the courage to go in and ask for a job.

This chance moment inspired a social enterprise that now operates six cafes in Scotland and London, offering jobs and food to homeless and vulnerable people.

In 2018, Josh and his team launched the Social Bite Village, a purpose-built community providing homes which has so far helped to house almost 100 people. In 2019, Josh launched ‘The World’s Big Sleepout’, with events in over 52 cities around the globe, and 60,000 people sleeping out in the world’s largest ever display of solidarity for homeless and displaced people.

Josh has so far helped raise over £25 million for charitable and homelessness causes and received an MBE from the Queen. He has received a Pride of Britain Award, a Robert Burns Humanitarian Award, five honorary doctorates and he also been included in Debrett’s list of the most influential people in the UK.

Paying it Forward: How to be a Social Entrepreneur was published in hardback, audio and eBook on Thursday (17th August 2023). 

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to Social Bite to help combat homelessness.

Books can also be ordered online here: 

Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com/book/paying-it-forward/josh-littlejohn/9781788708401

Foyles: https://www.foyles.co.uk/book/paying-it-forward/josh-littlejohn/9781788708401

Amazon: amzn.to/3JJ4KGW

Regulator highlights considerable pressure on councils’ services for people experiencing homelessness

A new report by the Scottish Housing Regulator highlights that some councils are finding it increasingly difficult to fully meet their statutory duties on homelessness, particularly providing temporary accommodation to people experiencing homelessness.

The report highlights that councils are making considerable efforts in very challenging circumstances to deliver effective services and some have had success in moving toward an approach with rapid rehousing at its centre. 

The Regulator also found that there is an emerging risk of systemic failure in their homelessness services. 

The report sets out three main strategic challenges facing councils in providing services to people experiencing homelessness: dealing with the number of people in temporary accommodation; maintaining an adequate supply of temporary accommodation; and ensuring homeless people have sufficient access to permanent housing. 

John Jellema, Assistant Director Of Regulation, said: “Some councils are finding it increasingly difficult to meet these challenges, and so to fully meet their statutory duties. This includes difficulties in ensuring that people with particular equality characteristics – such as single women and children – have temporary accommodation options that meet their needs.

“There are actions councils can and should take to respond to these challenges, and there are other improvements to services they can make. All councils should continue best efforts to meet their statutory obligations.

“The Scottish Government has put in place a wide range of policy actions aimed at achieving the goal of ending homelessness in Scotland. Having said that, the Scottish Government may need to consider what further urgent measures it can take to support councils to respond to the immediate challenges they face in delivering services for people who are homeless.”

Read the Regulator’s thematic inquiry report on homelessness services in Scotland.

Shelter Scotland has responded to yesterday’s report by the Scottish Housing Regulator, outlining the emerging risk of systematic failure within local authority homelessness services, particularly in securing temporary and permanent accommodation.

The report supports Shelter Scotland’s continued messaging that Scotland is in a housing emergency, and that the supply of more social homes must be prioritised by the Scottish Government. 

It shows that councils are making considerable efforts in very challenging circumstances to provide homelessness services, however, are finding it increasingly difficult to meet their statutory duties in the provision of temporary and permanent accommodation. 

The report highlights three major strategic challenges councils are facing: dealing with the significant numbers of people currently in temporary accommodation; maintaining a sufficient supply of appropriate temporary accommodation; and ensuring access to the number of permanent homes that are needed.

The report calls on the Scottish Government to consider what further urgent measures it can take to support councils to respond to the challenges they face in delivering services for people who are homeless. 

It also notes that some households do not always receive a service that meets their specific needs, further demonstrating that the system is broken and biased. 

In its Scottish Housing Emergency Action Plan last year, Shelter Scotland outlined three key priorities as the most critical to tackle the housing emergency: buy and build 38,500 social homes by 2026, fully fund local authority homelessness services and guarantee the right to a permanent home for every household.

Shelter Scotland Director, Alison Watson, said: “The Scottish Government know how to fix homelessness and the wider housing emergency in Scotland.

“As indicated in this report, an adequate supply of permanent, affordable housing provided by councils and RSLs is vital in ending homelessness.

“Over the years they have been presented with endless evidence and testimony that investing in social housing ends homelessness, tackles child poverty and is crucial in fighting the housing emergency. Yet, they are choosing to look the other way as thousands of families continue to struggle. 

“If ever there was a clearer message from the sector that the time to act is now, this is it. The Scottish Government must recognise that its choices to ignore the housing emergency will have devasting consequences for the fight against homelessness.”

homelessness-services-in-scotland-a-thematic-review-february-2023Download

Crisis: Homelessness is rising rapidly amid the cost-of-living crisis

“It is really unlike anything I’ve seen in recent years in terms of the numbers coming to us.”

HOMELESSNESS is rising rapidly amid the cost-of-living crisis a leading charity has warned. 

Matt Downie, CEO of Crisis, told GB News more women and older people were finding themselves sleeping on the street. 

Speaking to Alastair Stewart he said:  “Homelessness is definitely on the rise. We did have some good years through the pandemic, where we actually saw numbers go down. 

“But they’re going up again, this is the very sharp end of the cost-of-living crisis, as you can imagine, and a crisis hitting our services all year round. 

“Over the winter period, and particularly Christmas, we open various centres, including hotels, and some of them are still running. We’re running them until the end of January this year. And one of the reasons for that is there’s so many people needing help. 

“It is really unlike anything I’ve seen in recent years in terms of the numbers coming to us. 

Commenting on the types of people contacting the charity Mr Downie continued: “There is a rise in the number of women, there’s a rise in the number of young people and a rise in the number of older people, it’s everything. 

“What we’re seeing particularly are people who just cannot afford to pay their rent. The number of people who just come to us and say, actually I never thought homelessness would happen to me.

“They tell us their rent’s gone up or I simply can’t afford the 12 or 15% increase. We’re talking about people that, as I say, never thought they were anywhere near this ever happening to them. And that is happening to women and to various different groups.

Explaining how they help those in need he added: “The opposite of homelessness is a person reaching their potential is not simply having a roof over their head. So, what we do is make sure that people have a home, not just temporary accommodation, but that they also have the skills they need to really rebuild their lives, get jobs, and rebuild relationships.

“No-one needs to be defined by something awful that happened to them.”

2,265 children stuck in temporary accommodation in Edinburgh

Scottish Labour MSP Sarah Boyack has warned that children in Edinburgh may be forced to spend Christmas in temporary accommodation.

Across Scotland, the number of children staying in temporary accommodation has soared to a shameful record high of 8,635.

This includes 2,265 children in Edinburgh – an increase of 20 per cent on the previous year and an appalling increase of 930 per cent since 2002.

Overall the length of time people have to spend in temporary accommodation has also been climbing year-on-year across Scotland, with families being hit hardest by long waits. 

In Edinburgh couples with children are now typically stuck in temporary accommodation for an average of 725 days.

Scottish Labour MSP Sarah Boyack said: “It is nothing short of a national scandal that 2,265 children in Edinburgh could be spending Christmas in temporary accommodation.

“Things are at crisis point across Scotland, after years of neglect under the SNP.

“Leaving children stranded in limbo for so long will have a devastating effect on their wellbeing, attainment and life chances.

“The SNP need to act urgently to fix this shameful dereliction of duty and make sure families in Edinburgh have the safe, secure housing they need. It is appalling that children can be stuck in temporary accommodation for nearly two years.”

ENDS

Notes 

Local Authority  Number of children in temporary accommodationAverage Days Spent in Temporary Accommodation in 2022 – Couple with Children


200220212022



Change
2021 to 2022
(%)

Change 2002 to 2022 (%)
Scotland2,3907,3858,63517%261%343
Aberdeen City158511029%633%76
Aberdeenshire706555-15%-21%84
Angus15202525%67%0
Argyll & Bute156045-25%200%196
Clackmannanshire45304550%0%64
Dumfries & Galloway506560-8%20%93
Dundee City100235215-9%115%656
East Ayrshire5404513%800%131
East Dunbartonshire658580-6%23%288
East Lothian701701806%157%614
East Renfrewshire52060200%1100%125
Edinburgh2201,8802,26520%930%725
Eilean Siar020200%126
Falkirk701601706%143%291
Fife19531539024%100%174
Glasgow City4752,2552,82525%495%359
Highland90210180-14%100%299
Inverclyde1550-100%-100%86
Midlothian10230155-33%1450%656
Moray4035350%-13%81
North Ayrshire5070757%50%141
North Lanarkshire100235230-2%130%126
Orkney15152033%33%0
Perth & Kinross15515200%0%77
Renfrewshire9555609%-37%112
Scottish Borders20405025%150%160
Shetland502015-25%-70%681
South Ayrshire909010517%17%175
South Lanarkshire17537043518%149%252
Stirling401801906%375%319
West Dunbartonshire30759020%200%243
West Lothian14025039056%179%397

Source: https://www.gov.scot/publications/homelessness-scotland-2021-22/documents/ 

Naya Koulocheri (she/her) | Research & Communications Officer

Renaissance residents show they care at Christmas

Two Edinburgh care homes have helped spread some Christmas cheer with a special charity donation.

The residents and staff of Letham Park and Mathieson House residential care homes on Ferry Road Edinburgh, operated by Renaissance Care, held a festive raffle to raise £350 for local homeless people as their way of giving back to the local community.

The money will be donated to Social Bite’s Festival of Kindness campaign, which uses funds raised to offer support to homeless people, such as accommodation for the night or a hot Christmas meal.

Up for grabs in the raffle was a Christmas hamper filled with specially designed glassware, coffee cups and special festive crafts, which were all handmade by Kevin Dignall, Deputy Manager at Mathieson Care Home.

Kevin said: “I had made things like that before for staff or families at the home and I just wanted to make a nice hamper for Christmas to raffle off as a prize.

“The residents are always keen to stay connected to their local community and it’s a tough enough time for lots of people at this time of year, so everyone felt it was only fitting to try to help some of the most vulnerable people in the community.

“It was all great fun, and we drew the raffle on the same day as our Christmas fayre, so we had music going, singing and Santa made an appearance as well.”

Social Bite Executive Director Founder, Josh Littlejohn MBE, said: “We’re very thankful to the residents at Renaissance Care for their donation to our Festival of Kindness.

“Acts of kindness like this are needed more so now than ever before and make a huge difference to those who need it most.

“The money they’ve raised through the various raffle events will go towards ensuring vulnerable people have delicious food, gifts and company this festive period.”

Edinburgh’s Welcome Centre supports over 500 people facing homelessness this winter

The City of Edinburgh Council and national homelessness charity Bethany Christian Trust are operating a Welcome Centre this winter.

The Centre is providing accommodation of last resort, tailored support and positive move on options for people who would otherwise be sleeping on the streets. Since opening in October, it has already supported and accommodated over 500 people and will continue to operate over Christmas until May 2023.

Founded by Bethany Christian Trust in partnership with the Council, and supported by the Scottish Government, the Welcome Centre was pioneered in 2020 in an emergency response to the outbreak of Covid-19, providing en-suite rooms as a deliberate move away from congregate shelter provision, and has since helped to establish a new model of tailored support for people rough sleeping.

The Welcome Centre takes an innovative and person-centred approach, providing 24 hour tailored support for individuals all in one place. Guests receive their own en-suite room and 3 meals a day, including a hot evening meal prepared by volunteers.

They are also able to work with dedicated staff and visiting professional services with support to access longer term accommodation as well as on site assistance with mental health, addiction, wellbeing, health needs and accessing benefits.

Councillor Jane Meagher, the Council’s Convener of Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work, said: “When temperatures drop to this extent it’s more important than ever that we do all that we can to support anyone who may be at risk.

“With Bethany we’re operating a Welcome Centre this winter to provide an additional 65 beds for people with wrap around support, and demand for this service this winter has already been high.

“We’re also offering street-based outreach seven days a week through our partners to anyone we see rough sleeping and this involves checking in with people three times a night, specialist pharmacy and mental health services available on street and supporting people directly into Rapid Access Accommodation. 

“The rise in homelessness we’re witnessing in Edinburgh is deeply concerning and the Council has a campaign to spread awareness of the support which exists for people who are struggling financially. We need to prevent more people from becoming homeless as far as we possibly can.”

Commenting on the increase in demand for the service, Alasdair Bennett, Chief Executive at Bethany Christian Trust said: “The Welcome Centre provides emergency en-suite accommodation of last resort for anyone who would otherwise be sleeping rough in Edinburgh. 

“We have accomodated over 500 different people with the majority staying less than seven nights as they are assisted to rapidly move on to more appropriate accommodation. The centre is a place of warm welcome, hospitality and intensive support, tailored to the individual and involving multiple health, housing and charitable partners to respond to individual needs. 

“We are seeing an increase in the number of people attending and being referred for this crisis intervention, even prior to the colder weather coming in, and we are working with all partners to find alternative options when there are no available bed spaces at the Centre. With a focus on rapidly re-accommodating people, new bedrooms become available at a rate of about 50 each week, or 7 a day, in order to support individuals in crisis that night.

“Even when we are full we are able to provide food, warm clothing and access to support here at the Welcome Centre, so we encourage anyone who is at risk of rough sleeping that night to come and we will do all that we can to support them, including linking them up with partner agencies and local authority housing options.”

Relying on the financial support of the general public, local churches, trusts, businesses, the City of Edinburgh Council and the Scottish Government, the Welcome Centre shows what can be possible when the people of Edinburgh come together to create change.

With a large professional staff team, over 1,000 Bethany volunteers and more than 20 visiting partner services, the Welcome Centre saw remarkable success in 2021 – 2022 in helping people recover from the crisis of homelessness and move on to a more stable situation.

The service accommodated and supported over 860 individuals who had fallen into homelessness because of a wide range of circumstances as well as those rough sleeping, with 97% of known outcomes positive.

Bethany’s Buy a Bed campaign, which is vital in enabling the service, is also in place again this year and gift vouchers can be purchased in Bethany Shops and online: 

https://www.bethanychristiantrust.com/support-work/buy-a-bed/.

itison launches its most important Social Bite fundraiser yet during cost-of-living crisis

Annual £5 fundraiser aims to provide over 100,000 meals and gifts for homeless people

As thousands of people face hardship this winter and the demands on charities to provide support increases, Scottish-based business, itison, launches the eighth year of its Social Bite campaign, asking big-hearted Scots to donate £5 at www.itison.com/donate  to buy over 100,000 meals and gifts for homeless people this Christmas.

The cost-of-living-crisis, as well as continued impact of the pandemic, has meant this year has been one of the toughest on record for families and individuals, and the £5 fundraiser aims to ensure that the most vulnerable in our society can enjoy a hot meal and a gift this festive season, and meals throughout the year.

Running since 2014, the annual Christmas appeal has raised an incredible £3 million and 700,000 donations to those who need it most, and last year, despite the hardship felt by many following the pandemic, over 100,000 donations were made, with an impressive 63% coming from new contributors across the country, showing just how selfless Scots can be.

In addition to the 100,000 meals and gifts supplied through Social Bite, along with itison they will also be donating the first £20,000 raised to Spirit of Christmas which gives Christmas presents to children living in poverty in around Glasgow, where the business is based.

Oli Norman, CEO at itison said: “This year has been exceptionally tough and the most vulnerable in our society have been hit the hardest.

“More people than ever before are struggling, and Christmas for homeless people and families is an especially challenging time. Every year we are blown away by the generosity of our members, and this year, at a time when support is needed more than ever, our hope is to raise enough through our Social Bite campaign to feed homeless people for the entire year”.

Josh Littlejohn, Co-founder of Social Bite said: “Back in 2014 we started working with itison on our annual fundraiser, with a target of 800 Christmas dinners. We ended up receiving over 32,000 donations meaning we could feed homeless people coming to our cafes for the whole year.

“Our annual itison fundraiser continues to exceed our expectations every year and has dramatically shaped the work we can do at Social Bite.

“We couldn’t do it without you and would love you to join us in sharing kindness this Christmas, please share it with all your friends and help the people who need it the very most this year.”

In Scotland, Social Bite’s Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen cafes will open their doors to the homeless on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at 1100 – 1600 to serve Christmas dinners with all the trimmings, offering food and company at what is one of the loneliest times of the year for many. 

As well as providing food to those in need and providing gifts, itison members’ donations have previously helped fund the Social Bite Village in Edinburgh, providing housing, support, and a huge range of services to break the cycle of homelessness.

Social Bite is currently working hard and fundraising to build two brand-new villages in two new Scottish cities, their ongoing aim is to continue supporting people experiencing homelessness into employment, and 1 in 4 of its team has a background of homelessness. Your donation is not only providing a meal or gift but also helping Social Bite to break the cycle of homelessness through systemic change.

To donate £5 to buy a Christmas dinner for a homeless person or give a Christmas gift for children, families and vulnerable individuals visit www.itison.com/donate (it makes a great Secret Santa gift or stocking filler too!) 

Homeless Project Scotland to hold peaceful protest this morning

“It is said that the mark of a civilised society is how we treat our most vulnerable citizens; what does this say about our society?“

Homeless Project Scotland are holding a peaceful protest outside the Glasgow City Chambers in George Square this morning at 10:00 am.  

A spokesperson for the campaign group explained: “The aim of the peaceful protest is simply to demonstrate to elected members that Homeless Project Scotland’s call for a building will not be ignored. Our soup kitchens are now becoming a service operating 7 days per week and are attracting over 200 members on average. 

“We have asked Council Leader Susan Aitken and Scotland’s First Minister to bring our most vulnerable and those experiencing homelessness in doors to have warmth, care, compassion and nourishment that is essential to us all to survive. The time for talking is over. It is now the time to cut the keys. 

“We are hearing time after time from people on social media outlets that we are bringing people into the city centre, in actual fact it is the council.

“Since 2020 the council has had 4 Glasgow Hotels all located walking distance from our current unit under the Central Station Bridge and indeed, the removal of dinner from these accommodations is, among the cost of living and the COVID-19 pandemic, to a sharp incline. Poverty is now becoming the fastest spreading epidemic and we need action now. 

“Our peaceful assembly is welcome for everyone to come and partake in and is potentially going to the circuit Scotland’s Streets.

“Homelessness is not invisible, these are people, it is ridiculous that in this day and age that people are pushed to choose heat or eat. There is a tenfold increase in the number of service users we are seeing and a tenfold increase in the number of street outreach clients. 

“It is said that the mark of a civilised society is how we treat our most vulnerable citizens; what does this say about our society? “

There will be refreshments and a good old fashioned Scots Broth Soup for those in attendance.

Edinburgh homeless charity welcomes support from Amazon

An Edinburgh charity that aims to tackle the causes and consequences of homelessness has received a £3,000 donation from the team at Amazon Development Centre Scotland in Edinburgh. 

The donation was made to Cyrenians, a homelessness organisation with over 50 year’s experience supporting those excluded from Home, Work, Family and Community. Since its formation, the charity has worked with thousands of people facing homelessness to help them towards more positive futures. 

Cyrenians understand there are many routes into homelessness and that there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to supporting people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness. From their residential homes to their work ensuring dignified access to food, to their family mediation and outreach work, Cyrenians are there for those who need them. 

Amazon’s donation will help Cyrenians to provide vital supplies to those living in their residential communities, such as new bedding, hygiene products and more.

Speaking on the donation, Oliver Masting, Managing Director at Amazon Development Centre Scotland, said: “Cyrenians helps thousands of people every year in our city so we’re very pleased to support the impactful work the charity does.

“With the current cost of living crisis, the services provided by the Cyrenians staff and volunteers are needed now, more than ever, and we hope that this donation helps them to continue their invaluable work.”  

Nicole LeBlond, Community Manager from Cyrenians, added: “I would like to say thank you on behalf of our team at Cyrenians for Amazon’s donation. Support like this enables us to keep offering help and guidance for people in our community who are impacted by homelessness, and we really appreciate this gesture from Amazon.” 

Cyrenians received the donation as part of Amazon’s programme to support the communities in and around its operating locations across the UK.

Gleneagles Townhouse to partner with homelessness charity Social Bite

  

Gleneagles Townhouse, the 33-bedroom hotel, all-day restaurant and member’s club on St. Andrew Square, Edinburgh, is delighted to announce it’s collaboration with Social Bite, one of Scotland’s leading homelessness charities. 

Gleneagles has supported the work of Social Bite since 2018 as corporate partner for its hugely successful mass participation sleep-out and Break The Cycle events, and this new partnership will see their initiatives integrated throughout the Edinburgh Townhouse’s offering; from the restaurant, to staffing, to event support and hotel stays. 

Gleneagles Townhouse is also donating a percentage of its joining fee for new members to Social Bite, helping the charity’s ongoing efforts to break the cycle of homelessness in Scotland.

Additionally, the Townhouse will be attributing a donation to Social Bite with every dessert ordered in The Spence, its all-day dining restaurant, and in time working with Social Bite on its Jobs First programme.

This will see the city centre venue employ individuals who have been affected by homelessness in the past. Social Bite provides meaningful jobs to people who have experienced homelessness as an extreme barrier to employment and part of its ongoing work as an organisation is to help those in a similar situation find steady and fulfilling employment, with the aim of 1 in 4 of their own staff to have come from this background themselves.

A £1 contribution per room, per night, will also be added to guest bills for each hotel stay. All proceeds will go towards Social Bite’s work to end homelessness through providing homes, jobs, and food; including support such as providing new furniture and necessary materials to make a house a home within the Social Bite village in nearby Granton. 

These initiatives mark the continuation of a mutual collaboration that will be further cemented with a Burns Supper inspired event to be held at Gleneagles in January. The evening will comprise of a live auction, music from London Essentials, and an exclusive menu created by Gleneagles’ and Townhouse’s top chefs, including Simon Attridge and Jonny Wright respectively, as well as a few special guest chefs from Scotland’s vibrant culinary scene.

Commenting on the partnership announcement, Gleneagles’ Managing Director, Conor O’Leary, said: “We are delighted to be working with our friends at Social Bite once again and hope that together, through this new partnership in Edinburgh, we can support and empower individuals across the city to transform their lives.

“We’re really keen to involve Social Bite in as many aspects of our Townhouse offering as possible and look forward to introducing our guests and members to the work they do in our local community.

“Together with some colleagues from both properties, we were delighted to have taken part in the ‘Break the Cycle’ cycling events over the past two years, with collective efforts from our team helping to raise a combined £33,000 – proceeds of which will go towards building two new Social Bite villages.

“We are so proud to play a small part in helping the vital work of Social Bite in our local community and across the UK.”

Co-founder of Social Bite, Josh Littlejohn, said: “This is such an exciting partnership for Social Bite. We’re thrilled to be working with the team at Gleneagles Townhouse.

“It’s a partnership which will undoubtedly make a great impact across our various pioneering projects; raising vital funds to help us build two more Social Bite villages, helping us continue our free-food provision to people in Edinburgh experiencing homelessness and poverty, as well as providing meaningful employment with tailored support.”

Gleneagles Townhouse is the first ever outpost for the iconic Scottish country hotel in its almost 100-year history in Scotland. Based at 39 St. Andrew Square, Edinburgh, originally home to the British Linen Bank before later becoming the Bank of Scotland, this historic building has been reimagined to become Gleneagles Townhouse; a 33-bedroom hotel, all-day restaurant, rooftop bar, wellness centre and member’s club.

gleneaglestownhouse.com