Tag: Queen Street

The Digital Mirror

Discover the intriguing digital photography of Scottish artist Wendy McMurdo in her biggest ever exhibition at National Galleries Scotland: Portrait

Wendy McMurdo: The Digital Mirror

30 May – 25 October 2026

National Galleries Scotland: Portrait

Free admission

Wendy McMurdo | The Digital Mirror | National Galleries of Scotland

From 30 May, discover leading Scottish photographer Wendy McMurdo’s biggest exhibition to date, spanning over 20 years of the artist’s career, for free at National Galleries Scotland: Portrait.

Explore McMurdo’s photographic reflections on childhood, the digital world, learning and make-believe in Wendy McMurdo: The Digital Mirror. Featuring over 50 works, visitors will find some never-before seen photographs as well as several rarely seen digital animations newly configured to respond to the context of the historic Portrait gallery building.

McMurdo has blazed a trail in the experimental use of computers and digital tools in photography, from the early days of computer-based learning in schools to the growth of the internet and networked gaming. Wendy McMurdo: The Digital Mirror presents the ground-breaking work of the artist, made between 1995 and 2018, exploring the evolving role of computers in children’s lives.

Coming at a time when the digital landscape is changing faster than ever before, with technology offering limitless possibilities and children spending more and more time online, the exhibition offers a fascinating response to the impact of technology on learning and play in childhood.

Growing up in Edinburgh and attending Edinburgh College of Art, McMurdo became a regular visitor to galleries and museums. She was influenced by key works in Scotland’s national art collection such as Reverend Robert Walker Skating on Duddingston Loch (The Skating Minister), and the sculptural work of Leith-born artist Eduardo Paolozzi. 

Showing how the artist takes inspiration from the past to create photographic works like Avatar (i) and the Robot Workshop series, both the iconic Skating Minister and several Paolozzi sculptures will be displayed in the exhibition alongside McMurdo’s photographs.  Visitors will also be able explore a range of other objects which have influenced the artist’s practice.

Thinking about the evolution of play, McMurdo has selected a collection of early 20th century dolls on loan from the Museum of Childhood, Edinburgh. McMurdo has included them in the exhibition to share the lasting impact they have had on her work and ideas, and in recognition of the importance of local museums on her own creative development.

Discover McMurdo’s moving image works, created using digital animation and source material such as conversations from online gaming chatrooms.

See how she has presented these in new configurations within the National Galleries Scotland: Portrait Library and Upper Balcony areas in response to the historic building and the collection it holds.

Installed at the centre of the exhibition, is McMurdo’s large moving image work, Indeterminate Objects (Classrooms), which was originally commissioned by The Photographers’ Gallery, London in 2017.

The work combines photography with three-dimensional animated forms similar in appearance to those associated with computer games such as Minecraft.

McMurdo uses hovering shapes to cast a shadow on an empty classroom to explore how children – like adults – are increasingly subject to a world augmented by data and simulation. In making this work, McMurdo was reflecting on her observations of the pervasive nature of online games and virtual worlds and the way these digital spaces shape how children think, play and learn about themselves, each other and the world. 

The exhibition will also include a display of McMurdo’s working photography contact sheets, revealing some of the technology and processes she has evolved to generate her own dreamlike imagery. McMurdo’s photographic works often start as a result of group workshops. From multiple tests and countless variations, new bodies of work then emerge.

Many of the works in the exhibition were made during a period of rapid technological development, McMurdo delves into the ways in which the introduction of computers for example changed children’s educational experience  and the changing nature of play.

Discover Let’s Go to a Place, an installation that explores the collision between real and digital worlds, through a series of portraits of primary school children.

This body of work was created around the same time as the mobile game, Pokémon Go was at the height of popularity, the work reflects on the impact of location-based gaming and technology on children’s play, capturing the dual existence in both the physical and virtual worlds. 

McMurdo is a pioneering figure in Scottish art and a key contributor to Scotland’s international reputation as a centre for experimental contemporary art. This exhibition coincides with the bicentenary year of the Royal Scottish Academy to which McMurdo was the first woman photographer to be elected.

To coincide with the exhibition, visitors to the Library in the Portrait gallery will be able to read a new brochure. The free publication includes two new pieces of writing on McMurdo’s work by Patricia Allmer, Professor of Modern and Contemporary Art History, University of Edinburgh and David Hopkins, Emeritus Professor of Art History, University of Glasgow. 

Wendy McMurdo said: “With new legislation focussing on the impact of online culture on children’s lives, now is a particularly apt time to revisit this body of work.

“It is an invitation to celebrate play and creativity and to consider the wider implications of new technologies on the lives of young people.”

Ben Harman, Senior Curator of Photography and Lead Curator of Wendy McMurdo: The Digital Mirror at the National Galleries of Scotland said: “We’re excited to have this opportunity to celebrate a pioneering body of photographic work by an artist based in Edinburgh with an internationally-renowned reputation in the world of contemporary photography.”

Wendy McMurdo: The Digital Mirror is a free exhibition opening at National Galleries Scotland: Portrait on 30 May 2026.

Landmark office development completes in the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town 

Work is now complete on The Auction Rooms, a distinctive, design-led office development in the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town. The project has transformed the former Bonhams Auction House, 22 Queen Street, into one of the city’s most sought-after commercial spaces. 

Situated within a Grade A Listed Georgian townhouse, originally designed by the renowned architect Robert Adam in 1784, The Auction Rooms delivers a seamless blend of historic architecture and modern functionality. 

Led by Edinburgh-based Atom Group, with design by award-winning Studio LBA and interiors by Nicola McMurray Design Studio, the restoration blends original features, such as grand staircases, ornate cornicing, and arched doorways, with contemporary design tailored to modern business needs. 

The redevelopment is already at full occupancy, as businesses continue to restructure regional office estates, with a shift towards flexible, serviced workspaces, demonstrating strong, sustained demand for high-quality, character-rich office space in Edinburgh city centre. 

Lynsay Bell, Managing Director of Studio LBA, said: “It’s been a privilege to work on such an architecturally distinct building, originally crafted by a pioneering figure in architectural history. Our strategy focused on preserving its stunning Georgian features while optimising the space as a modern, functional office environment. 

“Thoughtful design was central to our approach, curating spaces that pay homage to the building’s historic character, while integrating contemporary adaptations to create a beautiful and highly usable space. The Auction Rooms is a triumph of adaptive reuse and conservation, and a bold addition to Edinburgh’s office market at a time when demand for premium, central workspace is stronger than ever.” 

Communal areas take cues from boutique hotels, featuring soft lighting, plush furnishings and relaxed breakout zones that encourage both collaboration and quiet focus. Meeting rooms and private offices are finished with bespoke joinery, statement lighting and custom furniture, delivering a cohesive, high-quality tenant experience.  

Wellness and sustainability are central to the building’s design, with optimised lighting for productivity and smart systems, including LoRaWAN controls, helping it achieve an EPC rating of B.  

The reimagined space supports a wide range of flexible working options, including private offices, dedicated desks, open-plan layouts, and virtual office packages. 

These virtual offerings provide businesses with a professional address and access to The Auction Rooms’ extensive business services and meeting facilities, ideal for remote or hybrid teams. On-site amenities include shower facilities, secure bike storage, and thoughtfully designed communal areas. 

The Auction Rooms also features five beautifully designed external meeting rooms available for hire, accommodating between four and twelve people.  

Mark McMeekin, Director at The Atom Group, said: “Working with the brilliant team at Studio LBA, we’ve created a space that blends heritage with modern functionality – a workspace that’s both inspiring and practical. The response has been exceptional. 

“As we moved from development to operations stages, we brought in consultants with experience scaling serviced offices across global cities, drawing inspiration from design-led brands like FORA and Industrious, to provide the highest level of service from the outset. With the building now fully let and a growing waiting list, demand for high-quality workspaces across major cities is clear. 

“To meet that, we’re opening a sister building in the capital and launching MOTA, our new operating brand for serviced offices. We’re also exploring expansion into other major European cities. This is just the beginning.” 

The project was led by ATOM Group, with Studio LBA serving as architect and Nicola McMurray Design Studio responsible for interior design.

Thomson Gray acted as quantity surveyor and principal designer, Christie Gillespie provided structural engineering, David Brown Lighting delivered the lighting design, and WGM served as M&E consultant.

Sonder expands Edinburgh serviced apartment operation on Queen Street

Sonder, a leading next-generation hospitality company that is redefining the guest experience through technology and design, has expanded its managed serviced apartment operation at Sonder Royal Garden Apartments in the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town.

Located opposite the National Portrait Gallery on Queen Street, the next-generation hospitality company has increased its previous 30 serviced apartments at the property to 41 units.

With the addition of these 11 new apartments, there are now 18 two-bedroom apartments, 15 one-bedroom apartments and 8 studios in total.

The apartments are thoughtfully designed, and come with simple contactless check-in and 24/7 on-the-ground support available via the Sonder app. They also offer access to the splendid Queen Street Gardens. These private gardens are located next to the building and are only open to neighbouring residents.

The property offers accommodation with in-unit kitchen and laundry facilities, ideal for extended stays, whether for business or leisure.

Sonder distinguishes itself in the hospitality industry through modern design and by infusing technology into its guest experience.

This tech-enabled experience puts guests in full control of their stay. They can access everything they need – from booking, to interacting with guest services, to check-out – via their own mobile device from anywhere and at any time, using the Sonder app.

The high quality of accommodation being offered has seen Royal Garden Apartments rated in the top 20 by TripAdvisor for Edinburgh.

Launched in 2014, Sonder operates in over 40 cities globally, including those located across North America, as well as London, Dublin, Rome and Dubai among others in EMEA.

Giulio Leporatti, Area General Manager for UK & Ireland at Sonder commented: “We’re excited to expand our Royal Garden Apartments property in Edinburgh, increasing our presence in the heart of this wonderful city.

“The rise of hybrid and remote working, as well as travellers combining business and leisure into a single trip, means that a new cohort of travellers are demanding flexible accommodation which provides space to work and relax.

“Our Royal Garden Apartments meet this need perfectly, while also appealing to families. Millennial and Gen Z guests in particular appreciate our ‘Instagrammable’ design and frictionless app-enabled service.”

Serious crash in City Centre: Motorcyclist charged

Police have confirmed that a 33-year-old man has been charged following a serious road crash involving a motorbike and a pedestrian.

The incident took place on Queen Street, at the junction with Frederick Street, around 10.30am on Sunday (5 June, 2022).

The pedestrian, a 13-year-old girl, was taken to hospital for treatment. The man will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal and is expected to appear in court at a later date.

Anyone with further information on the incident should call police on 101, quoting incident 1334 of 5 June 2022.

Sonder Holdings to expand Edinburgh serviced apartment operation

Sonder Holdings Inc., a leading next-generation hospitality company that is redefining the guest experience through technology and design, is set to expand its serviced apartment operation at Royal Garden Apartments in Edinburgh.

Expanding by 11 units, bringing the total units to 41, the apartments are located opposite the Scottish National Portrait Gallery on Queen Street, offering accommodation with in-unit kitchen and laundry facilities, ideal for extended stays.

This addition forms part of a major expansion by the tech-enabled hospitality provider, which is adding six properties in the UK & Ireland, including four new hotels in London.

In April 2022, Sonder opened The Henry, a 102-key hotel close to Hyde Park in Bayswater, and The Voyage, a 53-key hotel on Norfolk Square close to Paddington Station. A further property on Norfolk Square will follow shortly: The Rove, with 74 keys. Additionally, in the second half of 2022, Sonder will open an 86-key hotel near to Bedford Square in Bloomsbury.

All are located close to major business districts, tourist attractions and transport hubs, and have been updated to offer Sonder’s signature exceptional design and tech-enabled, modern service. Building on recent expansion, with an ongoing focus on prime locations, these four properties will join the six existing hotels in Sonder’s London portfolio.

Oliver Armitstead, Regional Director of Real Estate at Sonder, said: “As a high-growth global hospitality company, we are excited to expand our unique design and tech-powered hospitality offering across the United Kingdom & Ireland, with the expansion of our Edinburgh operation and the opening of a number of new hotels.

“The modern traveller demands digital service and thoughtful design, both of which we deliver across our portfolio worldwide. For owners, we offer competitive partnership terms with secured income, and we remove operational responsibilities. Following Sonder’s recent public listing, we’re advancing ambitious growth plans worldwide.”

Steph Thrasyvoulou, co-owner at New World Hospitality Limited, said: “Sonder are innovators in the hospitality space and have been a reliable property partner for us; which is why we are pleased to collaborate with them on a second London hotel.

“The Bloomsbury location will offer thoughtfully designed accommodation, moments from The British Museum, Oxford Street and the new Tottenham Court Road Crossrail station.”

In Dublin, Sonder will open its first hotel in the city, with 26 keys, on Leeson Street later this year and has contracted an additional 91 units in the Dublin 1 area. The Leeson Street hotel is a historic, 19th-century Georgian building undergoing updates, located close to St Stephen’s Green park. These operations are in addition to Sonder’s two existing serviced apartment properties in Dublin.

With these additions, Sonder’s total portfolio will now expand to 28 properties across the United Kingdom & Ireland with approximately 900 total units. In 2017, Sonder opened its first property outside of North America in London, and the region remains a focus for future growth.

Headquartered in San Francisco, Sonder operates in 35+ cities across ten countries – seven of which are in EMEA – and has approximately 18,100 live and contracted units worldwide.

The company partners with real estate owners and landlords to manage and operate hotel and multi-unit buildings. Sonder distinguishes itself in the hospitality industry through modern design and by infusing technology into its guest experience.

This tech-enabled experience puts guests in full control of their stay. They can access everything they need – from booking, to interacting with guest services, to check-out – via their own mobile device from anywhere and at any time, using the Sonder app.

Sonder previously announced EMEA expansion in France and the U.A.E., and recently reported company record annual revenue of $233 million in 2021. Sonder also provides corporate travel offerings, and is live with all major Global Distribution System (GDS) networks.

Sonder works in partnership with leading travel management companies such as ABC Global Services for business traveler-specific bookings.

Sonder also recently committed to eliminating single-use plastic amenities in all of its guest-facing units no later than Dec. 31, 2022, as part of the company’s wider sustainability commitments under its People, Place & Planet framework.

To explore Sonder real estate partnership opportunities, please contact:

partners@sonder.com

Kintore House goes Native!

Leading UK aparthotel brand Native will be taking over management of Edinburgh’s Kintore House on Queen Street, opening on the 1st December. 

Originally constructed in the 1790s, the building is a significant part of the original fabric of Edinburgh’s New Town, an area of outstanding neo-classical and Georgian architecture and a UNESCO world heritage site.

With 82 apartments comprising studios, one-bedrooms, and ground floor leisure and co-working spaces, Native Edinburgh will build upon Native’s unique ethos of providing the flexibility and amenities of a design-led boutique hotel, coupled with the space, comfort and privacy of a home from home.

Native Edinburgh follows the successful launch of boutique aparthotels in Glasgow at the Anchorline Building off George Square in 2018 and Manchester at Ducie Street Warehouse – awarded best hotel of the North by the Sunday Times – in 2019. 

Native will also showcase their unique community-inspired ‘neighbourhood heroes’ – partnering with independent local businesses to offer guests a truly Scottish stay at Native Edinburgh.

Native CEO and founder Guy Nixon said: “After opening in Glasgow in 2018, it was a natural step to head to the wonderful city of Edinburgh, building on our commitment to bring the Native concept to wider regions of the UK.

“Following the successful launch of Native Manchester last year – which proudly won The Sunday Times Best Hotel of the North 2019 – we are excited to be operating in Scotland’s two greatest cities. 

“Even with the challenges of this year’s global Coronavirus pandemic, leisure demand for aparthotels has been buoyant in the months coming out of lockdown and we’re well placed to capture post-COVID demand. We’re looking forward to welcoming all guests back when the time is right, and everyone can expect a safe environment with the strictest safely and cleaning practices in place”.

Native Edinburgh joins Native Glasgow and Native Manchester alongside eleven sites in London including Native Bankside. Future sites under development include Leeds, York, Bristol, Oxford and London’s Soho. 

In response to Covid-19, Native operate a detailed Stay Safe commitment across all of their properties. 

Prices for a Studio at Native Edinburgh will start from £89 per night.

For more information and to book, please visit: www.nativeplaces.com.