Tag: leisure

Which? reveals UK’s Favourite Walks

A magical walk in Yorkshire taking in Malham Cove and Gordale Scar has been rated the best in the UK, as Which? reveals the nation’s favourite 51 routes.

The Lake District proved the most popular region for high quality walks, claiming six spots in the table. The Peak District, Cornwall and Northumberland each boast three of the best walks, while Dorset, Snowdonia, London, Surrey and the North York Moors have two each.

Malham Cove and Gordale Scar achieved a superb 89 per cent walk score in the Which? survey of more than 1,800 people. Visitors were impressed by the cove’s amphitheatre-shaped cliffs which lead up to a limestone pavement, where a scene from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was filmed.

Its second striking geological feature, Gordale Scar, is a narrow ravine enclosed by sheer walls 100 metres high. The 7.5-mile walk scored the full five stars for scenery and places of interest. It was rated four out of five for difficulty – where one is easy and five is suitable for experienced walkers only – meaning it is a route for more regular ramblers.

The joint second best walks were both in Cornwall and scored 88 per cent. The tiny Botallack Mine Walk scored five stars for peace and quiet, and scenery; at one-mile long it is the joint shortest walk among the top 51 alongside Brimham Rocks in North Yorkshire.

The more challenging seven-mile Lizard Peninsula Circuit around the most southerly tip of mainland Britain gained five stars for places of interest, scenery and wildlife, with rare red-billed chough birds as well as basking sharks and seals calling it their home. In the Which? survey results, only two other routes – Solva to St Davids and Blakeney Point – equalled this mark for wildlife.

Rhossili Headland retained its record as the best walk in Wales with an overall score of 86 per cent. The undemanding 3.5-mile trail in the Gower received top marks for scenery and five other four-star scores in the Which? survey, making it an excellent all-rounder. Walkers pass a former Iron Age fort and can see the remains of a shipwreck poking out of the sparkling sea at low tide.

Anstruther to Crail on the Fife Coastal Path was rated Scotland’s best route with an 83 per cent walk score.

The easily navigable four-mile route knits together a string of fishing villages whose stone houses have provided a subject for numerous painters. At 13 miles, Scotland’s second best route, Loch Katrine in the Trossachs National Park, was the longest walk featured, which can all easily be completed in a day. Walkers can keep an eye out for silver birch, oak and rowan woodland as they pass through waterfalls on this gentle lakeside stroll.

The only walks rated five out of five by Which? for difficulty – Helvellyn, Scafell Pike, Ben Nevis and Snowden’s Llanberis Path – involve climbs of at least 950m.

For the very best of the most challenging routes, head to Helvellyn in the Lake District, which finished fourth overall in the survey with a score of 87 per cent.

This 9.5-mile hike with stunning views from the Striding Edge Ridge scored five stars for scenery, but with limited visitor facilities, hikers need to make sure they come prepared.

 Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel, said: “The UK has an amazing variety of walks and with its magical connection, the most popular route in our survey was a worthy winner. 

“From breathtaking rolling hills and lake loops to historic hikes, clifftop paths and the shingle beaches below, there is a route for every taste and ability.” 

Scottish Hostels: Welcome to the places we call home

Independent hostel owners reflect on the trips they took as children which inspired them to become hostel owners

It might be the sociable lifestyle. Or it could be the stunning scenery, excellent facilities and warm welcome, but hostelling is becoming the trip of choice for budget-conscious families and travellers of all ages looking for a unique stay.

Holidaymakers looking to leave a positive lasting impression on young minds are being urged to explore the abundant variety and high quality of Scottish Hostels to inspire the next generation. 

Drawn by the friendly way of life and the chance to share the beautiful areas where they live, Scottish Hostels’ independent owners truly embody Visit Scotland’s invitation of “welcome to the places we call home”. And many were inspired after a family trip of their own.

You could say that Pam Richmond, originally from Glasgow, who runs Argyll Backpackers on the banks of Loch Fyne, was born into the role after her parents met while visiting hostels in Scotland during the late 1940s.

She was introduced to hostelling by her parents at the age of 10 and always wanted to run a hostel herself, drawn by a love of travelling, experiencing different cultures, meeting people and hearing their stories.

After a variety of careers, she finally realised her dream by commissioning a purpose-built hostel in 2005, and now she relishes the chance to share the beautiful area where she lives with people from around the world.

She described the journey from the outset to finally opening Argyll Backpackers as quite an adventure in itself and said: “As hostel owners we can all say that we’ve changed our lives, and hopefully for the better.”

Pam added: “The rewards are certainly not great financially, but more than made up for by guests also enjoying ‘my dream’.  Most arrive as strangers but leave as friends, often returning with family to spend a few days exploring further in this area. 

“This is why I do what I do, and love doing it.”

Modern hostels offer a fantastic chance to experience the best of the Scottish countryside.

Set in stunning scenery and often right on the hiking and biking trails, their hosts are experts on each area and are passionate about helping families to make the most of their stays.

Accommodation is geared towards all sorts of holidaymakers, from solo travellers, couples, families and groups of friends, while visitors might be surprised to discover some hostels can even offer facilities like a traditional sauna, hot tub or large covered barbecue area.

And all of this is on a budget which means the pennies saved can be splurged on family fun, adventures and making memories that last a lifetime.

For Scottish Hostel’s chair Dominique Drewe-Martin, who hails from Surrey, it was also a stay in a hostel at the age of 10 that introduced her to the joys of this type of travel. And as a teen, she decided that one day she would own an outdoor centre or hostel when she was older.

After studying at university in Newcastle, Dominique worked in banking for nine years which gave her the financial know-how to put together a business plan and get the go-ahead on a mortgage for a hostel.

Following more than two years of searching for the perfect property with her partner Daniel, she originally found a place in Skye. Unfortunately it fell through but soon after, Ballater Hostel became available and the couple fell in love with its setting, surrounded by mountains in the Cairngorms National Park.

She said: “I love my current work / life balance – working nine to five I could never help out with groups in the village, go help someone at the drop of a hat, move my work around to fit whatever is going on, take holidays whenever I like or take on so many roles in the village.  

“Financially it’s a much simpler life, but when you have amazing countryside on your doorstep, work that you really enjoy – with no annual reviews – plus hobbies and groups that you can properly immerse yourself in and all with so much flexibility it is completely worth it.  

“You don’t need that extra paycheck when you have the way of life you love.”

So who knows, taking your children hostelling might change their lives, as it did for these two Scottish Hostels owners who fell in love with the lifestyle and now offer their own warm welcome to travellers.

Everyman Edinburgh is here …

… paying tribute to the capital’s big screen history

To celebrate the official opening of the Everyman Edinburgh at St James Quarter, four giant picture frames have popped up around the city centre – each in a location that featured on the big screen in famous movies including, Sunshine on Leith, Avengers: Infinity War, One Day and Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga.

The Everyman Edinburgh frames can be found on the Royal Mile, Calton Hill, The Shore and George IV Bridge, for passers-by to capture their own selfies and redeem two free tickets to Everyman Cinema, #nofilter needed.

To enter, step into the frame, share your pic and tag @StJamesQuarter and @EverymanCinema on Instagram or Facebook along with the hashtag #FramedbyEveryman.

The first 500 people to show their posted content to the box office at Everyman Cinema on level 5 at St James Quarter will receive two free tickets to a movie screening of their choice.

The frames will be in place until Saturday 2nd April.

St James Quarter Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/stjamesquarter/

St James Quarter Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/St-James-Quarter-105737954246444

Everyman Cinemas Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/everymancinema/?hl=en

Everyman Cinemas Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/EverymanCinemas/

About Everyman

Everyman is redefining cinema. Bringing an innovative lifestyle approach to their venues, where you swap your soft drink for a nice glass of red wine and slice of freshly made pizza served to your seat.

There are currently 36 Everyman cinemas across the UK. Created to deliver a warm and friendly atmosphere, with an excellent food and drink selection and fantastic customer service.

About St James Quarter

St James Quarter is Edinburgh’s largest development in a generation.

A new 1.7 million sq ft masterplan in urban placemaking. Comprising 850,000 sq ft of retail space, St James Quarter will complement the luxury shopping offer of neighbouring retailer Harvey Nichols, which anchors the premium shopping street of Multrees Walk. 

Completing the city centre’s retail circuit, it will also be home to John Lewis, Everyman Cinema, an enticing mix of new restaurants, cafés and bars; Scotland’s first W Hotel – W Edinburgh – which includes 244 stylish guestrooms, a destination bar, outdoor terrace, signature restaurant, chef’s table, and an AWAY® Spa; luxury aparthotel brand Roomzzz, comprising 75-rooms; New Eidyn residences that will provide 152 premium apartments with exceptional amenities, by developers Native Land, nine new public squares and 1,600 car parking spaces.

RLSS UK and partners aim to make UK’s aqua parks among the safest in the world

The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) is working with The Aqua Parks Association UK & Ireland to ensure the safety of the fast-growing industry as the UK looks forward to another bumper staycation summer.

Aqua parks first launched in the UK in 2015. Today, there are approximately 65 parks in the UK. Suitable for adults and children alike, the floating assault courses offer a variety of obstacles ranging from climbing walls and trampolines to water slides and runways.

The sector has boomed during the pandemic with the launch of new parks and established operators expanding their aqua park offering. 

RLSS UK is working closely with The Aqua Parks Association UK & Ireland – formerly the Aqua Parks Steering Group – to promote safety standards in the industry to maintain public confidence in UK aqua parks.

The association has developed a set of minimum industry standards and launched the UK’s first accreditation scheme for aqua parks. The accreditation scheme introduced a recognised and consistent safety standard, making accredited UK aqua parks some of the safest in the world. As appointed auditor for the association, RLSS UK audits parks that have signed up to the accreditation scheme.

Consumers should look out for aqua parks that hold the Industry Approved Aqua Park status; awarded to aqua parks that have met the operational and equipment standards set out within the guidance.

There are two accreditations: ‘Silver’ shows that an aqua park has the correct documents, procedures, staff, and training in place for all the sessions they run, while the ‘Gold’ accreditation indicates that the aqua park not only meets all the operational standards demanded by ‘Silver’ accreditation but also that all its equipment has been third-party tested to meet ISO 25649.

(The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) is an international standard-setting body composed of representatives from various national standards organisations).

Helen Bowker-Steer, Head of Commercial Services, said: “It is an exciting time for the aqua park industry – the development of the Aqua Park Association UK and Ireland in 2021 is a huge step forward.

“The industry now has a voice. It also has an elected board of individuals with the safety and success of the industry at its core. As the auditing partner for the Aqua Parks Association UK and Ireland, RLSS UK is committed to supporting all aqua parks which sign up for the industry approved process.”

Dinosaurs on the loose this summer!

Jurassic Encounter follows sell-out tour with visit to Musselburgh in July

NEWHAILES House has stood firm through four centuries by the Musselburgh Coast, but this July its Gardens will experience something completely new: An invasion of DINOSAURS, as the UK’s most roarsome family event thunders into town. 

Jurassic Encounter will see 50+ animatronic creatures from the Jurassic, Triassic and Cretaceous periods resurface in parks in London, Buxton, Edinburgh and Bristol, as well as making their way across the sea for a stint in Rotterdam. 

Roaring into Musselburgh on July 2nd, the event will feature TWO, life-sized T-Rex beasts, which roar and snarl at passers by. Other family favourites include Pterosaurs that shriek from the trees and a 15m tall Brachiosaurus guarding her eggs. 

The event will be open every day from July 2 – 17 and makes for the perfect family day out, just a few miles along from the ever popular Portobello Beach.

Naz Kabir, spokesperson for Jurassic Encounter, says: “Last year, thousands of visitors all over the UK enjoyed a day out with our prehistoric beasts, and we’re delighted to return for another tour in 2022. 

“This year we’ll have new dinosaurs, even more interactive exhibits including a VR experience and an education cinema where families will be able to learn more about these incredible creatures.” 

The animatronic installations will feature information panels, containing interesting facts about each dinosaur, ensuring a visit to Jurassic Encounter will be as educational as it is exciting. And guests will be invited to watch documentaries about the period in the Education Cinema Marquee along the route, bringing the beasts to life and showing how they roamed the earth. 

An excavation sand pit will allow children to dig for their dinosaur skeletons and fossils, and learn how archaeologists discovered the extinct species of past eras. And a VR experience will offer the chance to escape into a different world. 

Food and refreshments will be available along the route and a merchandise trailer at the end of the route for children to purchase a souvenir. Guests are free to roam the park as they wish, and discover the animals lurking behind bushes and creeping through the undergrowth. 

Tickets start at £9.50 and earlybird tickets are available now for the Newhailes event. For a 20% discount, visit www.jurassicencounters.uk and use the code EARLYBIRD20.

Give your garden a spring clean

Richard Partington, garden paving expert from Simply Paving, offers his top tips on how to give your garden a well-deserved spring clean this month:

“As we move out of the winter months and start to enjoy those milder days and lighter evenings, getting outside and giving our gardens a spring clean is vitally important to help ensure they are refreshed, nurtured and a welcoming space both for us, and wildlife.

“There are some really simple tasks that you can carry out now that will make an immediate impact – from raking up leaves and debris to giving your patio slabs a clean – and a little bit of prep now will help ensure you can enjoy your outdoor space for longer.”

  1. Clear up winter debris

There’s no escaping the fact that the first step in bringing your garden back to life is clearing out any remnants of winter.

It might feel like a big task initially but once you’ve done that first spring clean, you’ll not only feel a huge sense of accomplishment, but you’ll also find it much easier to stay on top of your garden over the coming months.

Head outside and start by picking up leaves that have collected around your flower beds, in pots and on paving slabs. You’ll be amazed by the transformation, and you’ll be protecting your plants from any harmful bacteria that might be lurking in the debris and muck below. 

  1. Get weeding and freshen up your compost

While we’ve been warm and cosy indoors, weeds have had free rein over the winter months and have most likely run wild, so now is the time to clear them out and prepare your soil for the spring.

Firstly, it’s important that you pull out any weeds at the root. Also, make sure you remove any winter mulch which protected your plants through the colder months.

Once all of that organic matter has been cleared away, you can add it straight to your composter, so it doesn’t go to waste. Remember to turn over your compost pile if it’s been laying dormant over the winter months, and you should find excellent mulch at the bottom which is ideal for spreading around your newly cleared flower beds.

  1. Get planting

Now you’ve tidied, prepped and primed your borders, why not add some new blooms? Spring and summer gardens should be bright and colourful, so look at which flowers are suitable for springtime planting. 

Rake over your soil to maintain airflow and ensure that when you start to plant new perennials, they will have the best growing matter possible, adding new topsoil as needed. You may also find that some of your existing plants could do with a little TLC so consider re-potting, moving them to a more protected area of the garden or trimming the stems to encourage new growth.

  1. Clean your patio slabs

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Whilst plants and lawns are affected by the dank and cold weather, so too is your patio. Often the place in the garden that sees the most footfall during the winter months, it’s important that any hard landscaping forms part of your garden spring cleaning routine.

As a bare minimum, give your paving slabs or block paving a once over with a stiff brush, and make sure to pick up and clean under any pots which can leave marks behind.

To help you get your patio looking its best, we’ve put together a step-by-step guide, which details three easy ways to get your paving gleaming again – and some handy hints to keep it in tip top condition all year round.

  1. Show your lawn some love

Just like your garden slabs, you need to show your lawn some love too. Now is a good time to rake the grass and scarify the ground.

In doing so, you’ll remove any debris or old grass cuttings left over from last season and you’ll allow your lawn to breathe, preventing it from becoming waterlogged. You could also sprinkle new grass seed over your lawn to give your turf a helping hand.

  1. Dust off your outdoor furniture

After all your spring cleaning and tidying, it’s time to start enjoying your newly revitalised garden just as soon as the weather allows, whether that’s dining alfresco or setting up an outdoor bar.

Bring out and uncover any garden furniture which may have been hidden away over the winter months, giving it a good clean with warm soapy water and a sponge to remove any cobwebs or dirt before placing on your garden paving.

Of course, if made of timber, start with a simple clean and then use the appropriate wood oil to seal it so it is protected from the elements.

For further information, please visit www.simplypaving.com

Expert Bio:

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Richard Partington – Garden Paving Expert at Simply Paving

Richard is one of the most experienced members of the Simply Paving team, having been with the company since 2006. He is responsible for simplifying the product choice on simplypaving.com and is dedicated to knowing the technical attributes of every product.

During his time at Simply Paving, Richard has picked up a wealth of knowledge about the laying and maintenance of patios and driveways.

Fore Play Crazy Golf to deliver smiles on International Day of Happiness

1000 free photobooth sessions across Edinburgh + Glasgow

Fore Play Crazy Golf are ensuring their customers go home happy, celebrating International Day of Happiness for a whole weekend from 18th-20th March. It’s time to say cheese as Fore Play make their fun photo booth free for 1000 customers across the weekend in Glasgow and Edinburgh. 

Determined to put a smile on punters’ faces, Fore Play Crazy Golf’s photobooth-fun will be FREE for 1000 customers across both venues in Edinburgh and Glasgow for one weekend only, giving customers the chance to take home a special memento of their visit. With the extra magic of added props, Fore Play’s photobooths are the perfect way to make memories and round off your International Day of Happiness with 500 customers in each venue able to take advantage of the free snaps. 

The Glasgow venue has also teamed up with locally-produced liqueur Liquid Oats, as part of the new #MadeInGlasgow campaign, putting smiles on faces with a special tasting session of the velvety drink.

Fore Play Crazy Golf and Liquid Oats are both part of a new hospitality-led campaign to attract visitors back into Glasgow and support incredible independents with over 60 venues across the city taking part in a new Food and Drink trail.

The trail encourages people to dine and drink their way around the city with Fore Play’s speciality dish, ‘She’s a Belter’ taking centre stage.

The delicious buttermilk-fried chicken burger is stacked on a toasted brioche bun with homemade slaw and spicy chipotle mayo. To accompany the signature dish is the ‘Long Irn Iced Bru’, a mouth-watering blend of vodka, gin, cointreau, bacardi, tequila, lime juice and Irn Bru.

Scottish vegan cream liqueur, Liquid Oats will be stopping by Fore Play’s Glasgow venue for a special tasting session on Friday 18th March from 5pm – 7pm, allowing customers to sample the sweet blend of whisky and oats, all handcrafted locally and sustainably in Glasgow. If you’re feeling confident, sample Liquid Oats for a pre-putting libation, or save it for the perfect post-round treat! 

From sipping on playful cocktails, to enjoying tasty gourmet burgers to tackling their signature crazy golf courses, you’re guaranteed to have a little pep in your step after your time on and off the green at Fore Play Crazy Golf.  

Ts&Cs

  • Photobooth – 1 photo session per group. A photo session includes 4 x shots taken and 1 x printed photo. Up to approx 150 customers per day, per venue. 
  • Liquid Oats tasting session until stock runs out.

Book now at https://foreplaycrazygolf.co.uk/

Follow in the footsteps of Outlander with Scottish Hostels

  • As the popular TV series returns, online accommodation platform Scottish Hostels has shared a selection of delectable properties close to drama’s filming locations
  • From Glencoe to Craigh na Dun, fans of the series will be able to explore the great Scottish outdoors close to the destinations they recognise from their favourite show
  • Combining fascinating history, dramatic scenery and plenty of space, there’s never been a better time to enjoy the romance of Scotland

With the hotly anticipated arrival of the next season of Outlander just around the corner, online accommodation platform Scottish Hostels is encouraging fans of the historic drama to come and visit some of the series’ most beautiful filming locations.

From the wildly romantic ‘great outdoors’ of Glencoe to charming Inverness, lovers of the original Diana Gabaldon novels and the TV series the hugely successful books inspired can wander in the footsteps of dashing Highland warrior Jamie Fraser and his leading lady Claire Beauchamp Randall.

With 75 unique and charming accommodation options on their books, the Scottish Hostels team pride themselves on welcoming visitors to the amazing places its members call home, and holidaymakers will be spoilt for choice when it comes to finding a place to bed down close to Outlander’s scene-stealing destinations.

By choosing to stay in an independently owned hostel, hosts will be on hand to point guests in the direction of filming spots and places where you can recreate your own “outlandish” moments – no time-travel required!

Glencoe

Outlander fans will instantly recognise the dramatic scenery from the opening credits of their favourite show, the historic mountain range of Glencoe.

Set in its own grounds at the foot of this striking mountain range, Glencoe Independent Hostel is perfectly located for adventurers wanting to explore the west coast of the Scottish Highlands.

Discover the majestic mountains, glens, forests and waterfalls, a magnificent playground for those who love the great outdoors. Guests have the choice between private and family rooms, and there are two cozy self-contained Bothies (cottages) and three log cabins perfect for a romantic getaway.

Craigh na Dun

In a pivotal scene upon which the whole Outlander saga is centred, Claire travels back in time when she visits the ancient stone circle at Craigh na Dun.

And while the magical monument doesn’t exist in real life, fans of the show can still enjoy the picturesque scenery of Kinloch Rannoch in Perthshire, where it was filmed. The 200-year-old farmstead of Comrie Croft is the closest to this beautiful part of the Southern Highlands.

Conveniently located within an hour’s drive from both Edinburgh and Glasgow, it offers a variety of glamping, eco-camping and hostel options within its grounds.

Guests can explore the striking local landscape on foot or on two wheels, with an onsite bike centre inviting visitors to enjoy a gentle family route or adrenalin-fuelled mountain bike adventure.

Also in Perthshire, the gardens of Castle Drummond make for a beautiful day out as they stood in for the French castle of Versailles on the show.

Inverness 

While Claire’s story begins in Inverness in the 1940s, those scenes were actually shot in a small village called Falkland.

However, thanks to its convenient location close to the famous Loch Ness, Culloden Battlefield and Fort George, the real Inverness is well worth a visit regardless – not least because of its magnificent Castle. 

Inverness Hostel offers a modern and luxurious accommodation option close to all the action. All of the bedrooms have ensuite bathrooms and the property is located within easy reach of numerous golf courses, The Highland Wildlife Park, Urquhart Castle and the mystical Loch Ness.

Lallybroch

The 15th-century Midhope Castle served as the exterior for Jamie’s home Lallybroch, also called Broch Tuarach on the show, and is located in the hamlet of Abercorn on the Hopetoun estate, on the outskirts of Edinburgh.

The newly opened Dolphin Inn is within easy reach of the Scottish capital and its transport links, and has a stylish retro design throughout. Guests can choose from twin, double (two ensuite) and a family / group room.

Located close to the coast in Dunbar, the hostel is only a short walk from the beaches, harbours, High Street and railway station / bus stops.

This hostel is also ideally positioned to visit the filming locations that appeared as Wentworth Prison (Linlithgow Palace in real life) and Dysart Harbour, which stood in for the French Town of Le Havre, on the show.

For further information and to book visit www.scottish-hostels.com.

Edinburgh aparthotel Native giving away 222 free rooms across 2022

Native giving away 222 free rooms across 2022

Native Places – a leading UK lifestyle aparthotel brand providing stylish, spacious, and original accommodation in exciting neighbourhoods across the UK – has announced details of a year-long room giveaway in addition to 20% off room discounts and 50% off food.

Launching tomorrow (Tuesday, 22nd February) lucky Edinburgh locals can get their hands on a host of prizes as Native is giving away 22 rooms in February with more free rooms up for grabs throughout the year to celebrate momentous occasions like the Queen’s Jubilee in May when 70 free rooms will be on offer to commemorate the 70th anniversary.

The 22/2/2022 promotion will reward those ‘becoming a Native’ by signing up for the special offer on its website. Quirky games will unlock the prizes and discounts, valid on stays at all the Native aparthotels in the UK and on dining at Native Manchester.

There are six Native aparthotels throughout the UK, in London, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh.  Breathing new life into the restoration and refurbishment of historic city centre buildings, aparthotels are housed within converted tea warehouses, historical estate buildings and the former home of the Anchor Line shipping company, complete with original 1906 features. 

For more information on Native Places and the 22/2/2022 promotion visit:

https://www.nativeplaces.com/benative/ 

The Ivy on the Square – Valentine’s Day

The Ivy on the Square has joined forces with Letters of Note to give diners a gift to treasure forever this Valentine’s Day. Love is an exclusive book compiled by Shaun Usher, featuring a collection of the most passionate love letters written in history, reimagined by The Ivy Collection with a bespoke cover and foreword. The book will be offered to all guests who book a table in the restaurant on Monday, 14 February. 

Inspired by love, a limited-edition cocktail menu designed to make even the cold-hearted blush will also be available for guests from Friday, 11 to Monday, 14 February, alongside Pillow Talk (£17.95), an indulgent sharing dessert featuring peach and raspberry parfait, white chocolate mousse, popping candy and a raspberry sauce.

Celebrating love in all its many forms, the trio of cocktails honour some of the world’s most iconic love letters from days gone by. From Napoleon to Joséphine (£9.75), a sparkling serve featuring Altos Tequila Blanco, passion fruit and a splash of prosecco, to Oscar Wilde’s Secret Affair (£9.50), incorporating Beefeater Gin, lemon juice and agave syrup, and His Immortal Beloved, inspired by Beethoven and consisting of coffee liqueur, double cream and Amaretto; guests will be sure to fall for these limited edition-delights.

Agata Lubera, General Manager at The Ivy on the Square, comments: “Couples are invited to celebrate the most romantic night of the year in the heart of Edinburgh. Join us at The Ivy on the Square to indulge in our menu that perfectly pairs love and food.”

The Valentine’s Day specials are available from Friday, 11February to Monday, 14 February, while guests will revel in the restaurant’s romantic setting with its beautiful furnishings and friendly service.

To book a table and enjoy a complimentary copy of Love on Monday, 14 February, please visit TheIvyEdinburgh.com