Tag: hospitality

Eat Out Edinburgh gets underway 

Special offers revealed for 40 City Centre restaurants and bars taking part in the festival

Eat Out Edinburgh, the highly-anticipated restaurant festival taking over Edinburgh’s city centre next month, has now released a full list of venues taking part in the campaign, with incredible deals from the most exciting restaurants from Princes Street and Charlotte Square to St James Quarter throughout the entirety of March. 

Amazing set menus, special offers and events are now available to browse from each of the 40 venues involved on Eat Out Edinburgh’s website with guests able to book now for dates from the 1st to 31st of March. 

The past year has seen an influx of new bars and restaurants to the capital, bringing a variety of new dining experiences to explore during Eat Out Edinburgh’s run, including: 

–          Willow Tea Rooms: The new traditional afternoon tea spot is opening later this month in the former Starbucks unit with stunning castle views on Princes Street and will be offering a traditional afternoon tea throughout March for £17.95 per person, excluding March 10th. 

–          RIO Brazilian Steakhouse: The newly opened Rodizio style steakhouse within the Assembly Rooms will be offering their unique menu including unlimited salad bar access and meats served tableside at £34.95 for dinner and £19.95 for lunch. 

–          The Alchemist George Street: The creative cocktail bar and restaurant’s newest venue on George Street has curated a special menu offering two courses for £20 and three courses for £35.

–          Fat Hippo: The new restaurant known for its extensive menu of juicy, decadent burgers has created a menu with a starter, main, and a side for £15 from Monday to Thursday throughout the month. 

Offers vary from venue to venue, with each location bringing its own unique value with something to appeal to everyone, from celebrating Mother’s Day with a brunch at Duck & Waffle with £29 for 3 Courses or a lesson in mixology with a cocktail masterclass for £25 at the Hard Rock Café. 

Eat Out Edinburgh brings friends, family, and colleagues together from across the Lothians for the chance to explore new cuisines and try special occasion restaurants for an accessible price while supporting the city’s vibrant hospitality sector.

Run by Essential Edinburgh, the campaign taking place throughout the capital’s dedicated Business Improvement District (BID) returns this year for double the time after a successful two-week run in 2023. 

Emily Campbell Johnston, Senior Manager of Marketing & Communications, Essential Edinburgh, said: “The venues taking part in this year’s Eat Out Edinburgh have gone above and beyond to create really exciting offers for guests that will let Edinburgh locals, visitors and workers in the city centre experience some of the city’s best cuisine at an accessible price. 

“The scope of this year’s campaign brings more venues than ever over a longer period of time for a massive celebration of Edinburgh’s unmatched food scene right in time for the Spring season to bring a renewed energy to the city.” 

Businesses Participating in Eat Out Edinburgh 2024

Angel’s Share

Auld Hundred

BABA

Badger & Co

Bonnie & Wild

Boozy Cow

Bread Street Kitchen

Cadiz

Café Andaluz

Contini George Street

Copper Blossom

Dean Banks at The Pompadour

Duck & Waffle

Element

Fat Hippo

Fazenda

Gaucho

Grazing by Mark Greenaway at Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian

Gusto

Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh

Harvey Nichols Forth Floor

Haute Dolci

Hawksmoor

Huxley

Indian Lounge

Ka Pao 

Lady Libertine

Le Monde 

Maki & Ramen St James Quarter 

Malmaison

Queens Arms

Rabble

Rio Brazilian Steakhouse

Tattu

TGI Fridays Edinburgh Castle Street

The Alchemist – George Street & St James Quarter 

The Register Club

The Scottish Café And Restaurant

The Voodoo Rooms

Tigerlily

Twenty Princes Street

Willow Tea Rooms

For more information on each venue, and to keep book, visit: 

http://www.eatoutedinburgh.co.uk/

Bright & Beautiful Afternoon Tea at The Caledonian

This spring, enjoy a diverse array of sandwiches crafted by head chef Ryan MacFarlane, including Sun-Blush Tomato Tartlets and Mortadella with Pistachio Mascarpone.

Followed by an exquisite pastry selection, featuring selections such as the Flutter Around Butterfly (Rhubarb Compote & Elderflower Custard Stuffed Matcha Cookie) and One Little Speckled Egg (Crunchy Chocolate, Marsala Crémeux & Coffee Petit Gateau), this expertly crafted menu is certain to delight.

Standing proudly at the West End of Princes Street, this former Victorian railway building hotel nestles in the shadow of the imposing Edinburgh Castle and its reputation for style and excellence has attracted generations of locals, internationals, and notable personalities for over one hundred years.

Formerly the station concourse and ticket office, Peacock Alley represents the historic heart of the Caley, and is imbued with the peerless style and sophistication of this famous former railway hotel – the perfect setting for an elegant afternoon tea.

The Bright & Beautiful Afternoon Tea is available in Peacock Alley, The Caledonian daily from 12:30 – 4pm, from 19th February to 10th April. Gluten free, vegan, and children’s menus are also available. Priced at £119 for two or £30 for children. The menu can be viewed here.

Bookings can be made by emailing caledonian.dining@waldorfastoria.com or calling the reservations team directly at 0131 222 8832.

Former Macdonald Holyrood Hotel relaunches as Edinburgh Marriott Hotel Holyrood after £10M refurbishment

The former established Holyrood Hotel has relaunched today as Edinburgh Marriott Hotel Holyrood, marking the completion of an extensive £10m refurbishment. 

The hotel, which has been a long-standing fixture in Edinburgh’s historic old town as a Macdonald Hotels’ property, has been seamlessly integrated into Marriott’s global portfolio of over 30 extraordinary hotel brands.

Located in the heart of Edinburgh’s historic old town, the hotel, under new ownership, has been brought up to Marriott Hotel standards with an extensive refurbishment. Marriott’s signature style is found throughout all facets of the property and guests can now enjoy an enriched experience with modern, inviting spaces. 

With nearly 600 hotels and resorts in over 65 countries and territories around the world, Marriott Hotels continues to elevate the art of hospitality and the new look Holyrood property is synonymous with Marriott’s commitment to delivering enriching experiences, modern design, heartfelt service and timeless hospitality. 

The guest journey begins with a heartfelt welcome into the new Greatroom lobby, known as the pulse of every Marriott Hotel. With space to connect, work, or unwind, this is a key feature of the refurbishment, a relaxed and sophisticated lifestyle space, bar, dining area and welcoming lobby.

Perfect for guests and local residents alike to catch up over coffee or cocktails or dine from a carefully curated, locally sourced lunch and dinner menu as well as grazing and sharing platters. Afternoon tea is also served in the Greatroom. 

The hotel’s Spa and Fitness Centre, with its 14m-heated pool, infrared Sauna, and fully equipped state-of-the-art gym has also been fully renovated and upgraded for guests and members to enjoy. 

The 160 sophisticated and inviting guest bedrooms include Junior Suites, Deluxe and King Rooms with sleek wooden floors, and drench walk-in showers amongst other facilities. All rooms boast spacious en-suites, comfortable beds, cosy armchairs and 55-inch wall mounted flat screen TVs as standard.  

The city’s vibrant arts scene is reflected in the art on display and carpet designs throughout; inspired by the late Scottish artist, Edinburgh-born Sir Eduardo Luigi Paolozzi CBE RA, known for his sculpture and graphic work and widely considered to be one of the pioneers of pop art.  

The local influence combines with Marriott’s modern design aesthetics, with interiors based on a cool neutral palette featuring intricate multidimensional patterns and layered textures of natural materials such as marble, sand, onyx and water with rich patterns, an intriguing design tension that provides visual interest and invites reflection.  

Media and event spaces have been redesigned and fully equipped to offer excellent new meeting facilities in the city.  Marriott’s renowned M Club Lounge also adds a new dimension to the hotel and is designed to recognise and reward Marriott Bonvoy’s Elite members.

Platinum Elite, Titanium Elite and Ambassador Elite status members are able to enjoy 24/7 complimentary access to a private and exclusive space for every stay. Located on the first floor, the space is light and modern with an air of relaxed formality designed to facilitate productivity, relaxation and creativity. 

Michael Falla, General Manager of Edinburgh Marriott Hotel Holyrood, commented:  “The relaunch of Edinburgh Marriott Hotel Holyrood is an exciting development for the City and the Marriott brand.

“It is incredible to see the refurbishment nearing completion; bringing the aesthetic of the property and quality of service up to Marriott standards is testament to the hotel team’s hard work and commitment to take the Hotel on the next stage of its journey.

“Edinburgh is such a vibrant city bursting with history and culture, we’re looking forward to welcoming our new and returning guests to enjoy an elevated and enriched Marriott experience with all that the city has to offer.” 

Enjoying a prime location in the heart of Edinburgh’s historic old town, within the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Edinburgh Marriott Hotel is situated directly opposite the Scottish Parliament building, Dynamic Earth and Royal Holyroodhouse, the official residency of the monarchy in Scotland.  

Holyrood is not only a short walk from Edinburgh Waverley, it’s minutes from the historic Royal Mile, Arthur’s Seat and Holyrood Park so the ideal place to enjoy all that the City has to offer from its world-class visitor attractions to great shopping, walking and cycling routes in and around Edinburgh. 

Marriott Hotels is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy®, the global travel program from Marriott International.

The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments, and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition.

To enroll for free or for more information about the programme, visit:

marriottbonvoy.com. 

Standard rooms at Marriott Edinburgh Hotel Holyrood start from £209. The Holyrood Spa & Leisure membership is priced from £35.00 pp per month. 

For more information visit  www.marriott.com/edimh

National Walk Your Dog Day: The top Edinburgh trails with puppy pit stops

February 22nd is National Walk Your Dog Day – the perfect chance to explore your local area, get out in the fresh air, and treat your dog to an adventure outdoors, and the Edinburgh countryside is perfect to do just that.  

Eat Drink Meet, experts in all thing’s pubs and restaurants, have delved into Edinburgh’s top dog walks and trails, which not only offer amazing views and stunning sights but also provide dog-friendly pubs for owners and pups alike to enjoy a tipple at the end of a long walk.  

Eat Drink Meet’s brand-new planning website allows users to filter the pubs in their area and search specifically for the ones that are dog friendly. Using AllTrails, they identified the best dog walking routes that start and/or end at one of those pubs in the area.  

A spokesperson at EDM comments: “National Walk Your Dog Day is the perfect chance to appreciate the companionship offered by our furry friends.

“Finding pubs that are dog-friendly can be tricky, but when it comes to making a day of it with your pup, particularly in a new location, it can sometimes feel like trial and error and can make an otherwise wholesome day quite stressful.  

“Our new planning website that allows users to filter the pubs in their area (or an area they’re looking to visit) based on what they’re looking for is designed to help exactly this problem.

“We want our dog-loving and dog-owning customers to relax and enjoy time with their pups, knowing they don’t have to worry about finding a spot for lunch at the end – with Eat Drink Meet, they’ve already planned their stops. Because, really, there’s no better way to finish a walk than resting in a relaxing pub with a hot drink or refreshing lager.” 

Top dog friendly walks in Edinburgh  

1.      Holyrood Park 

Holyrood Park is an iconic landmark in Edinburgh. Home to the famous Arthur’s Seat, it offers stunning views of the city. Arthur’s Seat is the remains of a volcano where stone and flint tools were located, revealing human activity dating back to 5000 BC.  

Within the area of Holyrood Park and Arthur’s Seat there are several walks to try out, perfect for walking furry friends. Occasionally certain routes and paths are closed but information is regularly updated online.  

Walks include:  

·         Arthur’s Seat: this 4.2km trail climbing 251m to the summit of Arthur’s Seat. Considered moderately difficult to complete this trail takes 1 hour 41 minutes to complete.  

·         Holyrood Park Circular: located beside the Holyrood Palace and Scottish parliament buildings, this walk circles round the park and passes Dunsapie Loch and St.Margaret’s Loch. 5.6km in distance it takes approximately 1 hour 32 minutes to complete. Located on the outer edge of the park is the Sheep Heid Inn – a dog friendly pub making a perfect end point.  

·         Arthur’s Seat and Saint Anthony’s Chapel: this walk avoids the steeper routes up the hill, perfect for dog walks. At 3.2km in distance, it takes 1 hour 21 minutes.  

·         Queen’s Drive around Holyrood Park: 5.3km in distance, it takes 1 hour 27 minutes. This walk loops round the park and can be shortened or lengthened thanks to the adjacent paths along the walk.  

Dog friendly pub near to Holyrood Park: the Sheep Heid Inn 

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Holyrood Park Circular 1 

2.                  The Meadows 

The Meadows are in the city centre of Edinburgh, bordered by the University of Edinburgh campus (George Square Campus). It offers plenty of open space lined with trees and an excellent view of Arthur’s Seat.  

Walks include: 

·         The Meadows Perimeter Walk: an easy 2.3km that takes only 29 minutes to complete making a perfect way to enjoy National Dog Walking Day. Less than a 10-minute walk away from the Meadows is Salisbury Arms, a great dog friendly pub.  

·         Jawbone, Coronation, Boys Brigade, Borough Loch Walks: this is a slightly longer version of the standard perimeter walk, taking 37 minutes to complete.  

Dog friendly pub near to Holyrood Park: Salisbury Arms  

The Meadows Perimeter Walk 1 

3.                  Princes Street Gardens and Edinburgh Castle  

Princes Street Gardens consists of over 37 acres of grassland and divides the Old and New Town. The gardens were first designed in 1770 but were established in 1820. Each Christmas, part of the gardens is transformed into Winter Wonderland and features the famous Edinburgh Christmas markets, ice rink and Ferris wheel.  

Recommended walks include:  

·         West Princes Street Gardens and Calton Hill: this 5.6km walk with an elevation gain of 152m takes approximately 1 hour 32 minutes to complete. The walk ascends Calton Hill which offers panoramic views of Arthur’s Seat, Holyrood Palace, Leith and the Royal Mile. A perfect pup-friendly pitstop is the Deacon Brodies Tavern, located on the Royal Mile.  

·         Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace: another walk is an out-and-back route, 3.2km which takes 53 minutes to complete.  

·         Edinburgh Walking Tour: this 7.4km walk takes 1 hour 51 minutes to complete, offering the perfect opportunity to see Edinburgh’s most famous attractions. Located on the route is The Last Drop, a perfect stopping point for a drink (and is dog friendly).  

Edinburgh Walking Tour 1  

4.      Water of Leith  

Edinburgh’s river, the Water of Leith, is approximately 24 miles in distance. Starting in Pentland Hills the river flows through the heart of Edinburgh and into Leith. The river is home to a diverse range of plants and animals.  

The Walkway (the route following the river), passes through several interesting locations: Saughton Gardens, Murrayfield Stadium, Dean Village and Stockbridge. It is suitable for walking, cycling and is in some parts used for horse-riding.  

Recommended walks include:  

·         Water of Leith Walkway: starting from Balerno, weaving through the city to the Firth of Forth at Leith, the walkway is a popular route for walking and cycling. This 19.6km walk takes 4 hours 43 minutes to complete. The trail winds through some of Edinburgh’s most famous areas – Leith, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Stockbridge and Dean Village. Located on the route, Hector’s pub is a fantastic option for a pit stop.  

·         Water of Leith: Currie to Balerno: for a shorter walk, this 4.7km out and back trail takes 1 hour 4 minutes to complete.  

Water of Leith Walkway 1  

5.                  Queensferry (South Queensferry) 

Queensferry is a town located to the west of Edinburgh, linked to the ancient Kingdom of Fife by three bridges that cross the River Forth.  

South Queensferry was ranked the second prettiest town in the UK in 2023. The town includes several popular landmarks and attractions such as Barnbougle Castle, Eagle Rock and Cramond Causeway.  

Recommended walks:  

·         Hound Point: at 5 km in distance and takes roughly 1 hour to complete. Starting at South Queensferry it follows the coast to Hounds Point and back. Forth Bridges offers fantastic views year-round. Located directly next to the Start/Finish point is The Hawes Inn, a dog friendly pub offering food all week.  

·         Forth Road Bridge: this 5.8km walk takes 1 hour 16 minutes to complete. The route starts in South Queensferry, advancing over the Forth Road Bridge to North Queensferry.  

·         Cramond Island via River Almond Walkway: this 8km out and back trail starts on land. If the tide is right, it offers the chance to walk to Cramond Island.  

·         Fife Coastal Path: North Queensferry to Aberdour: this 13.5km walk takes 3 hours 10 minutes to complete. The Fife Coastal Path links the Forth and Tay Estuaries.  

 Hound Point and The Hawes Inn 1 

For more information on dog-friendly pubs near your area, visit the Eat Drink Meet website: https://www.eatdrinkmeet.co.uk/#/   

Eat Out Edinburgh announces 40 venues taking part in month of incredible restaurant offers

Special offers revealed for 40 City Centre restaurants and bars taking part in the festival

Eat Out Edinburgh, the highly-anticipated restaurant festival taking over Edinburgh’s city centre next month, has now released a full list of venues taking part in the campaign, with incredible deals from the most exciting restaurants from Princes Street and Charlotte Square to St James Quarter throughout the entirety of March.

Amazing set menus, special offers and events are now available to browse from each of the 40 venues involved on Eat Out Edinburgh’s website with guests able to book now for dates from the 1st to 31st of March.

The past year has seen an influx of new bars and restaurants to the capital, bringing a variety of new dining experiences to explore during Eat Out Edinburgh’s run, including:

–          Willow Tea Rooms: The new traditional afternoon tea spot is opening later this month in the former Starbucks unit with stunning castle views on Princes Street and will be offering a traditional afternoon tea throughout March for £17.95 per person, excluding March 10th.

–          RIO Brazilian Steakhouse: The newly opened Rodizio style steakhouse within the Assembly Rooms will be offering their unique menu including unlimited salad bar access and meats served tableside at £34.95 for dinner and £19.95 for lunch.

–          The Alchemist George Street: The creative cocktail bar and restaurant’s newest venue on George Street has curated a special menu offering two courses for £20 and three courses for £35.

–          Fat Hippo: The new restaurant known for its extensive menu of juicy, decadent burgers has created a menu with a starter, main, and a side for £15 from Monday to Thursday throughout the month.           

Offers vary from venue to venue, with each location bringing its own unique value with something to appeal to everyone, from celebrating Mother’s Day with a brunch at Duck & Waffle with £29 for 3 Courses or a lesson in mixology with a cocktail masterclass for £25 at the Hard Rock Café.

Eat Out Edinburgh brings friends, family, and colleagues together from across the Lothians for the chance to explore new cuisines and try special occasion restaurants for an accessible price while supporting the city’s vibrant hospitality sector.

Run by Essential Edinburgh, the campaign taking place throughout the capital’s dedicated Business Improvement District (BID) returns this year for double the time after a successful two-week run in 2023.

Emily Campbell Johnston, Senior Manager of Marketing & Communications, Essential Edinburgh, said: “The venues taking part in this year’s Eat Out Edinburgh have gone above and beyond to create really exciting offers for guests that will let Edinburgh locals, visitors and workers in the city centre experience some of the city’s best cuisine at an accessible price.

“The scope of this year’s campaign brings more venues than ever over a longer period of time for a massive celebration of Edinburgh’s unmatched food scene right in time for the Spring season to bring a renewed energy to the city.”

Businesses Participating in Eat Out Edinburgh 2024

Angel’s Share

Auld Hundred

BABA

Badger & Co

Bonnie & Wild

Boozy Cow

Bread Street Kitchen

Cadiz

Café Andaluz

Contini George Street

Copper Blossom

Dean Banks at The Pompadour

Duck & Waffle

Element

Fat Hippo

Fazenda

Gaucho

Grazing by Mark Greenaway at Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian

Gusto

Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh

Harvey Nichols Forth Floor

Haute Dolci

Hawksmoor

Huxley

Indian Lounge

Ka Pao

Lady Libertine

Le Monde

Maki & Ramen St James Quarter

Malmaison

Queens Arms

Rabble

Rio Brazilian Steakhouse

Tattu

TGI Fridays Edinburgh Castle Street

The Alchemist – George Street & St James Quarter

The Register Club

The Scottish Café And Restaurant

The Voodoo Rooms

Tigerlily

Twenty Princes Street

Willow Tea Rooms

For more information on each venue, and to keep book, visit: 

http://www.eatoutedinburgh.co.uk/

City centre hotel offers foodie fantasy with exclusive deal

A PREMIER four-star city centre hotel and restaurant is giving back to residents with a chance to rediscover the magic of the city with an exciting exclusive ‘Drinks and Dining’ offer in February.

In partnership with Forever Edinburgh Resident Rewards, Ten Hill Place Hotel is providing the perfect opportunity to relax and recuperate with £50 of food and drink for just £25 per person, saving 50%.

Located on the prime location of Nicholson Street in the buzzing Southside district, the exclusive offer allows guests to experience its relaxed and contemporary restaurant and enjoy locally sourced seasonal dishes paired with carefully selected drinks including its exclusive in-house 1505 gin and 1505 Ale for less.

Mark McKenzie, General Manager of Surgeons Quarter said: “We wanted to help Edinburgh locals beat the winter blues by offering an exclusive offer to city residents.

“The offer is a fantastic opportunity for people to escape in their own city and enjoy a top-class meal for half the price.

“The response so far has been fantastic, and it has been great to have a buzz in the hotel and campus – making for a perfect Valentine’s Day treat.”

Forever Edinburgh works with members, partners, and stakeholders to maintain the profile of Edinburgh as a world-class destination to visit, invest, live, work and study though championing Scotland’s capital city locally, nationally and internationally.

Eleanor Lee, Digital Marketing Lead at Forever Edinburgh said: “Resident Rewards Edinburgh, now in its third year, is an exclusive initiative for Edinburgh residents, offering substantial savings and a chance to try new experiences in the city we all call home.

“The enthusiastic participation of local businesses including the return of partners like Surgeons Quarter underscores the programme’s success and since July 2023, the Resident Rewards landing page has attracted over 57,000 visitors.

Edinburgh is bucking the trend when it comes to footfall to our city centre and was recently declared the top performing city in the UK, and I have no doubt that this is in part thanks to the incredible range of attractions on offer and initiatives like this.”

Bookings can be made by emailing j.hudson@surgeonsquarter.com using the code EHReward50.

Ten Hill Place is run by Surgeons Quarter, the commercial arm of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RSCEd) with profits supporting the charitable aims of the College which are education, assessment and advancement in surgical standards worldwide.

The offer is valid from Monday 1st February to 29th February 2024 from 1pm-9.30pm, to learn more about the offer, visit: https://edinburgh.org/residentrewards/

More information about Ten Hill Place hotel can be found at: 

https://www.surgeonsquarter.com/accommodation/

Over 300 Scottish hospitality scholarships awarded by industry charity HIT Scotland

Hospitality Industry Trust (HIT) Scotland has awarded 319 scholarships to those studying or working in the Scottish hospitality industry. 

The scholarships were awarded at the annual HIT Talent Conference, which took place on 8th February at the Voco Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow.  

The recipients, who work across a variety of hospitality and tourism roles in 142 different venues throughout Scotland, celebrated their awards to applause from 430 attendees.  

This year saw HIT announce their 7000th inspirational scholarship. The recipient, Amanda Pirie, People Manager at The Auchrannie Resort on the Isle of Arran, received the prestigious Art of Leadership scholarship. 

HIT Scotland’s scholarship programme is open to anyone working in or studying towards a hospitality career in Scotland. Scholarships offer learning experiences to help develop new skills, knowledge, best practice and fresh thinking. The scholarships are split into three categories – business, operational and inspirational empowerment – with content tailored according to the recipient’s personal development objectives. 

Scholarship Categories 

Business empowerment scholarships include the popular people management programmes, which remains a coveted skill in hospitality roles. Scholarships were offered to first time supervisors receiving their first training in managing a team, to senior managers for the Art of Leadership Scholarship at Lausanne Hospitality Business School in Switzerland, and to one General Manager who will attend the Cornell General Manager Programme in the U.S. 

Operational scholarshipscover a diverse range of learning opportunities. This year there will be chefs taking part in new kitchen-based experiences, restaurant and bar staff learning how to run a whisky tasting, sales training, and employees learning how hotel revenue management affects their role. 

The bespoke inspirational scholarships allow individuals to tell HIT Scotland what will inspire and motivate them to be the best they can be. This year, HIT have announced two special inspirational scholarships. One scholar will receive a French wine experience, exploring the art of fine wine making in a well-established vineyard in France.

Another will educate a scholar on brand repositioning with first-hand knowledge from a roster of well-known brands, looking at global branding from another sector.  All bespoke scholars will bring their learnings back home to benefit Scottish hospitality.   

The Open University Scotland also offered places on their Microcredentials courses, covering a variety of learning options from Project Management to Python Programming. 

The Graeme Gibson Award  

Last year a special new award was introduced in honour of inspirational General Manager the late Graeme Gibson, who worked in many of Scotland’s top establishments, latterly The Grand Central Hotel, Glynhill Hotel, and Yotel Glasgow.  

The Graeme Gibson Scholarship rewards a rising star working in management in the Greater Glasgow area with executive coaching sessions to help them work on their personal and career development. This year’s winner is Katie Booth, F&B Manager at the AC Hotel by Marriott Glasgow. 

Chris Rouse Scholarship 

The Chris Rouse Scholarship is HIT Scotland’s other notable award. In memory of the former General Manager of the Turnberry Hotel, Chris Rouse. Chris was responsible for transforming the hotel into a world leading luxury spa and golf resort, and this award goes to managers who likewise uphold the highest standards for guests and inspire the best from their team.  

This year’s Chris Rouse Scholar is Jack McCormick, Bar Supervisor at Trump Turnberry, who will benefit from executive coaching sessions in addition to his chosen scholarship. 

Lisa Wishart Scholarship 

This year a new scholarship opportunity was announced in memory of Lisa Wishart, MD of the Lisini Pub Company, who sadly passed away in 2023. Lisa was an inspirational leader who ran a thriving hospitality company, and was a great ambassador for the trade. 

There have been two Lisa Wishart Scholars named this year due to the fantastic fundraising received from the Scottish Bar and Pub Awards.  

Stephanie Jayne-Robertson, Supervisor at Lisini Pub Co (The Parkville Hotel, Blantyre), will carry out a Customer Experience scholarship, visiting London to learn about service experience and recovery at the Dorchester Collection Academy. 

Meanwhile, Jenny Barlow, General Manager at Scotts Bar and Restaurant in Greenock, will study the Art of Leadership course at the esteemed Lausanne Hospitality Business School in Switzerland. 

David Cochrane, HIT Scotland Chief Executive, said: “It is inspiring to have so many of our HIT Scotland scholars in one place to celebrate their achievement this year. These learning experiences are absolutely vital for our sector, allowing fresh ideas to permeate throughout the industry and upskilling the Scottish hospitality workforce.  

“Tailored to each scholar’s individual aspirations, HIT Scotland scholarships are incredibly rewarding and empower people to take charge of their career development, all while benefitting the sector at large. 

“Myself and everyone at HIT Scotland would like to wish all of our scholars the very best for the year ahead, and can’t wait to follow their progress!” 

Katie Booth, Graeme Gibson Scholar for 2024, added: “I am so honoured to be the recipient of the Graeme Gibson Scholarship and would like to thank HIT for giving me this opportunity. I hope that as I continue my career in hospitality that I can embody all the amazing attributes that Graeme possessed in all areas of his life and hotel career.  

“I am so excited to be given the time to work with an executive coach to develop my personal management skills and can’t wait to bring back all that I learn to my incredible team here at the AC Hotel.” 

HIT Scotland would like to thank the Savoy Educational Trust, The Crerar Trust, The MacRobert Trust, and Diageo Learning for Life, along with their corporate sponsors, for their support of the 2024 scholarship programme. 

To find out more about the scholarships HIT Scotland offer, visit the website:

hitscotland.co.uk/scholarships-hit 

The Eden Mill Experience opens for Valentine’s Day

Located in the heart of the Scottish capital, Eden Mill has opened the doors of its first-ever city centre Edinburgh venue in time for the most romantic day of the year; the city’s brand-new drinks venue offers a delicious journey through Eden Mill’s best-selling fruity & floral Love Gin 


Edinburgh’s drinks lovers will enjoy the perfect Valentine’s Day date as independent distiller Eden Mill announces The Eden Mill Experience is now open in the heart of Edinburgh’s West End. 

The capital’s latest drinks experience, and Eden Mill’s first venue in central Edinburgh, is located in the Heads & Tales Gin Bar at 1A, Rutland Place, EH1 2AD, inviting gin lovers to share their love for the spirit through an interactive & immersive mixology experience. 

Eden Mill’s delectably fruity and subtly floral pink Love Gin, originally created as a limited-edition for Valentine’s Day in 2015, is available in the ‘Share The Love Gin’ session. Gin fans are whisked through a dreamy experience with three uniquely delicious cocktails, one of which guests will learn to mix themselves. 

SHARE THE LOVE GIN | (From £30) 

Love Gin (40% ABV) is Eden Mill’s floral pink gin joined the Eden Mill portfolio in 2015 as a limited-edition, but the taste of fresh rhubarb spice, sweet strawberries & vanilla combined with green apple, citrus and a hint of rose water, was adored and earned Love Gin a permanent position in the Eden Mill portfolio.

During the Share The Love Gin session, gin enthusiasts will hear the story of how Love Gin was born and the flavoursome botanicals used to make it so delicious. With three uniquely delicious cocktails and some sweet treats, this immersive session will tell the story of Eden Mill’s best-selling Love Gin. 

The Eden Mill Experience joins a flourishing area of the capital’s drinks scene; bursting with culture,  innovative bars and restaurants. Positioned as an experience and journey into the Eden Mill brand, the location is the ideal venue for drinks fans to begin their perfect day or night out in the beautiful Scottish capital. 

Hannah Ingram, Head of Marketing at Eden Mill, said: “We are thrilled to bring a taste of St Andrews to the Scottish capital. Valentine’s Day is a fabulous opportunity for Edinburgh’s gin fans to experience the versatility of our Love Gin through a range of inventive & delicious cocktails. 

“The Eden Mill Experience is the perfect opportunity to showcase our wonderful expressions in an interactive and immersive way, and it’s a privilege to launch in a city with such a vibrant drinks scene.”   

‘The Guard Bridge Masterclass’ is also available for whisky fans; Eden Mill’s blended malt Scotch whisky is designed to be enjoyed in cocktails, and guests will enjoy three – all expressing the whisky’s deliciously sweet tasting notes of sherried fruit and light warm gingerbread. 

THE GUARD BRIDGE MASTERCLASS | (From £35)
The Guard Bridge Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (46% ABV) is a new addition to Eden Mill’s range, crafted using an eclectic mix of single malts sourced from the Highland and Lowland regions of Scotland; the blend also contains Eden Mill Single Malt whisky which is highly scarce in quantity.

The expression soothes the palate with the taste of creamy vanilla and barley sugar, finished with sherried fruit and light warm gingerbread. 

During The Guard Bridge Masterclass, whisky fans will learn the journey and discover the story behind this new blended malt Scotch whisky while delving into its deliciously sweet tasting notes. Designed to be enjoyed in cocktails, attendees will try three as part of the experience to demonstrate the whisky’s versatility, with one cocktail “guaranteed to feature an ingredient guests have never tasted before!”.  

LAYING FOUNDATIONS

Eden Mill is currently building a contemporary Scotch Whisky and gin distillery which is due to become operational in 2024. Set to be one of Scotland’s iconic distilleries, it will also be a major St Andrews landmark and a key Scottish tourism attraction. The brand has been recording progress with work on the exterior of the distillery now complete; a time-lapse video capturing the first stage of the journey is available on the Eden Mill website. 

The Eden Mill Experience opened on Saturday 3rd February 2024 and is located in the Heads & Tales Gin Bar at 1A, Rutland Place, EH1 2AD in the heart of Edinburgh’s West End. Offering immersive whisky & gin experiences, bookings are available now via the Eden Mill website. 

Commons Club serves up a global gastronomic dining experience

Commons Club, Virgin Hotels Edinburgh’s flagship restaurant, will bring a new and exclusive culinary experience to its dining offering, The Chef’s Table

 Guests will be given a taste of the finest cuisine from around the world through an internationally themed menu each month throughout 2024

Virgin Hotels Edinburgh’s flagship restaurant, Commons Club, is set to offer a new and unique dining experience, immersing guests in a global culinary journey through collaborations with globally renowned chefs.

Beginning in February, the month-long takeovers will give guests a taste of the finest cuisine from around the world through internationally themed menus as part of Commons Club’s exclusive dining offering, The Chef’s Table, which gives guests a front row seat to experience the creativity behind the culinary craft.

With prices starting at £75 per person, the exclusive menus will draw on inspiration from the finest international flavours. From Peru to Japan, Chef de Cuisine Emma Hanley will collaborate with chefs from around the world to carefully curate bespoke six course tasting menus featuring global culinary delights from their own kitchens.

To begin the series, The Chef’s Table will go to Japan with a menu that allows guests to experience authentic oriental flavours with a twist and paired perfectly with locally sourced ingredients such as the Pan Seared Halibut, caught inScottishwater.

As the Pièce de résistance, this menu features Japanese Black Wagyu Ribeye from Kagoshima Prefecture – of A3 to A5 grade, the highest rating of this delicacy. Praised for its marbling, Wagyu is widely renowned as the best beef in the world and boasts a buttery flavour, tenderness, and juiciness unmatched by other steaks.

Showcasing an array of delicious Japanese inspired treats, guests can also expect an Amuse Bouche of Miso soup, followed by Seven Spiced Seared Tuna, rounded off with the Cherry Blossom and Petit Fours, yuzu pâte de fruits, sesame ice cream cones, which promise a sweet conclusion to an extraordinary dining experience.

Tying in with the flavours of Japan, Commons Club has also partnered with House of Suntory – a House of Japanese artisans, crafting world-class spirits, inspired by Japanese nature and mastered with Japanese craft – to curate a cocktail menu that pairs perfectly with The Chef’s Table dishes.

Expertly chosen by Commons Club’s Head Mixologist, Leon Back, each drink has been skilfully mixed to complement the flavour profile of every dish, from the Japanese Inspired White Negroni, Roku gin, Luxardo Bitter Bianco, Martini Ambrato, Lucky Orange liqueur, to the Umami Flavoured Manhattan, featuring Toki Whiskey, Martini Rhubino, Aelder and soy sauce.

Emma Hanley, Chef de Cuisine at Commons Club, said: “Offering a completely unique experience for guests, we want to create an exclusive evening of dining to remember, with the highest quality ingredients and collaborations with world renowned chefs along the way.

“Scotland is home to some of the highest quality produce and we want to showcase that in our Chef’s Table offering, incorporating the best local ingredients with different tastes from around the world. We’re working on a series of menus for the rest of 2024 that aim to excite, inspire, and let our guests try something new.”

With world renowned chef partners still to be announced, takeover highlights for 2024 also include:

  • February: A trip to the country of the Rising Sun for Japan with Emma Hanley, Chef de Cuisine at Commons Club
  • March: The Chef’s Table goes to Greece with Kostas Papathansiou, Head Chef at Harrods
  • April: The Chef’s Table goes to Portugal and Spain
  • May: The Chef’s Table goes to Peru
  • June: The Chef’s Table goes to Italy with Stefano Battani, Head Chef at Cucine Nervi
  • July & August: The Chef’s Table goes to Scotland
  • September: The Chef’s Table goes to France
  • October: The Chef’s Table goes to the Middle East
  • November & December: The Chef’s Table goes to Great Britain

Running throughout the month from Thursday to Saturday weekly from 7pm, The Chef’s Table can be booked exclusively as a private event or for individual diners, where guests can expect an intimate three-hour sociable dining experience on a long-shared table.

With more exciting collaborations still to be announced, you can find out more information about Commons Club and The Chef’s Table experience here: 

https://virginhotels.com/edinburgh/eat-drink/commons-club/

For reservations, visit: Commons Bar & Restaurant – VH Edinburgh Reservations (sevenrooms.com)

You can also follow along on social media here: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube

Eat Out Edinburgh returns for 2024

Bigger than ever before with a full month of incredible offers from the city centre’s best bars and restaurants throughout the month of March, Eat Out Edinburgh has announced its return for 2024.

From weekend brunch, to business lunch, to dinner and drinks, Eat Out Edinburgh is designed to bring friends, family, and colleagues together from across the Lothians for the chance to explore new cuisines and try special occasion restaurants for an accessible price while supporting the city’s vibrant hospitality sector.

With an incredible response from both diners and restaurants in 2023, this year’s campaign will be doubled to four weeks, allowing diners twice the time to take advantage of set menu deals and curated offers from venues throughout the capital’s dedicated Business Improvement District (BID).

Run by Essential Edinburgh, the campaign highlights both established city favourites and exciting newcomers on the food scene with a host of restaurants, cafés, and bars from Princes Street to George Street, to Charlotte Square and St James Quarter to take part. Over 40 venues are expected to take part this year, with many restaurants returning for another year after a successful 2023

Interested businesses within the BID are encouraged to sign up for the 2024 campaign as soon as possible, whether they participated in 2023 or would like to be a part of the 2024 campaign for the first time.

A full list of participating Edinburgh venues and offers will soon be available to browse on Eat Out Edinburgh’s website, with special tasting menus, events and exclusive offers for city centre workers to increase footfall throughout the campaign period.

Lothian Buses returns as a partner for 2024 with city centre offers open to Lothian Bus employees, and promotion for the event to be shown on bus screens across the city throughout the campaign.

Emily Campbell Johnston, Senior Manager of Marketing & Communications, Essential Edinburgh, said: “2023’s Eat Out Edinburgh event was a huge success, with a fantastic turn out filling tables throughout the city centre so well that we saw a great opportunity to make this year even bigger, and create a month-long celebration of the city’s growing food & drink scene.

“With some of Edinburgh’s most exciting new restaurants opening in the BID, we anticipate an even wider range of venues taking part this year, with menus and offers to suit any occasion – giving locals, city centre workers and visitors from further afield a reason to get out, have fun and support the industry.”

For more information, and to keep up to date with the campaign, visit: 

http://www.eatoutedinburgh.co.uk/