Win our Culinary Experience Competition

Over the last couple of months we've set our sights on exploring Edinburgh to find and share what’s truly unique about the capital, so whether you’re lucky enough to be a local like us or popping by for a visit, you’ll be able to enjoy an authentic experience. From discovering local design talent, which will definitely come in handy when we start our gift shopping this season, to putting together a guide for film fans who want to recreate their favourite scenes in the exact same place as the leading stars,we've been trying to cover every base when it comes to our favourite city. Naturally our last, and biggest month of celebration for #TasteofEdinburgh is dedicated to all things delicious, from home-cooked dishes to exquisite delicacies alongside a dram or two, and we’ll be bringing four weeks of informative articles, exclusive offers and exciting competitions. 

The final major #TasteofEdinburgh competition is by far the most impressive, offering one lucky winner a range of prizes for themselves and a guest that have had us green with envy at Scotsman HQ! The prize package includes a two night stay at our hotel in a luxurious Director Suite, alongside an array of culinary experiences that excited even the most refined foodies amongst our team! On the first evening the winner and guest will be invited to sample Executive Head Chef Paul Hart’s five-course Taste of Scotland menu - we see Hart and his team source the fresh seasonal produce used to create each dish every morning and have thoroughly enjoyed taste testing so we can confirm that this is a truly delicious experience! After the first night’s relaxing stay, a full Scottish breakfast will await …and it is indeed hearty! Think smoked Ayrshire bacon, pork and sage sausages from Henderson’s Highland butchers as well as our team’s favourite, black pudding! The rest of the day is yours to explore the many sights and sounds of the city, however when you begin to feel in need of a pick-me-up, you can head back to your suite in which you will be served a miniature Afternoon Tea with a glass of Billecart-Salmon Champagne. The platter of sweet and savoury treats will ensure you can indulge, relax and unwind before getting ready for a dining experience at Tom Kitchin’s Scran and Scallie. We’re a big fan of Kitchin’s creations and can ensure you’ll enjoy his Michelin star twist of traditional home-cooked dishes. Returning to The Scotsman, your five-star suite will await and of course complimentary access to all spa facilities are included too. 

Entering our #TasteofEdinburgh competition couldn’t be easier – all you need to do is click here, enter your name and email address and confirm your interest in entering and you’re done! Good luck!

Retail Relaxation

Every winter, there is one thing that unites all in Edinburgh and that is shopping induced fatigue. Even the most seasoned and enthusiastic shoppers amongst the Scotsman team return flustered, frustrated and exhausted from what they had hoped would be a stroll down Princes Street. So we decided to create a soothing package for this November that would put an end to tiredness and provide an oasis of calm in the centre of the city for anyone and everyone to hobble into after having to barge through the hustle and bustle. For only £65 per person, you can drop your bags and enjoy a 45 minute Aveda manicure or pedicure, followed by a delicious Afternoon Tea.

Whether you’re gift buying or simply going for a browse, our city has a shop or boutique suited to every taste and need, however with such a great selection, the crowds follow and it doesn't take too long before it all gets a little too much. We sat down and listed every symptom …and every cure of a long day spent shopping and bundled them together into an indulgent offer that will relax even the most uptight after a day out. Sore, red hands from carrying too many bags? Unclench your fingers and enjoy a 45 minute Aveda manicure. Or perhaps your feet are feeling the effects more? Choose an Aveda pedicure instead and sit back for a soothing 45 minute treatment in our five-star surroundings. Ready to refuel? Our range of sweet and savoury Afternoon Tea treats provide the most delicious way to re-energise we've ever come across (we've tried and tested). And if that wasn't enough, complimentary access to the full spa and gym facilities at the Scotsman Spa is included, ideal for a dip in the pool or sit down in the sauna.

Come rain (more than likely) or shine, we’ll be waiting to take your coat off, store your bags and pamper to your every need at The Scotsman Hotel, so there’s no longer any need to fear the fury that is festive shopping in the capital!

Contact our spa reception team on +44 (0)131 622 3800 or email spa-reception@thescotsmanhotel.co.uk to book now.

Autumn Meeting Offer at The Scotsman Hotel

The new season has officially arrived with leaves turning from green to golden, and temperatures beginning to drop. At The Scotsman Hotel, our team agree that nothing is quite as satisfying as sitting inside and enjoying a soothing hot drink on a cold, blustering autumn day in Edinburgh. With that in mind, we have included a delicious hot chocolate drink, complete with marshmallows, in our new seasonal meeting offer.

Whether you’re looking to bring together colleagues or make an important presentation to new clients, our new £45 Day Delegate Rate includes the hire of one of our eight stylish meeting rooms, access to five-star facilities including free Wi-Fi, delegate stationary, use of an LCD projector as well as a delicious seasonal buffet lunch …and of course a cosy cup of hot chocolate. We think a hot drink is an ideal addition to any working day in autumn, especially when there’s soft marshmallows involved to add a little extra sweetness! As well as a tasty pick-me-up, on colder days it could also be an excellent ice breaker in more ways than one (excuse our pun), conjuring up memories of home comforts and rustic fire-lit evenings.

Tea and coffee are also included if hot chocolate is not suited to all tastes, ensuring everyone can feel the full warming effects much needed in our city when it’s a little cooler. If you’re planning a meeting in Edinburgh this October or November we look forward to welcoming you with our £45 offer. 

Indulge in Edinburgh

Although Edinburgh offers an abundance of historic landmarks, beautiful views and cultural attractions, sometimes we want to spend a little of our free time in pursuit of the more indulgent things in life. After all, everyone deserves a little ‘me’ time. As part of #TasteofEdinburgh, our team have spent the last month tirelessly exploring the luxury experiences Edinburgh has to offer –sampling delicious chocolate treats, relaxing with soothing spa treatments and shopping for stunning creations by the most sought-after designers in the city. It was a hard job, but someone had to do it. We’ve also been working with some of Edinburgh’s most respected fashion, beauty and lifestyle bloggers to offer first-hand insight and have been sharing our favourite finds in news articles on The Scotsman Hotel website as well as across our Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Google+ pages. Just incase you missed them we’ve put together a few of the highlights for you to use as inspiration next time you’re in need of a treat in the capital:

• Designer Shopping

The capital’s fashionistas head to Edinburgh’s New Town for the latest catwalk creations and luxe accessories. Thistle Street’s Independent boutiques Jane Davidson and Pam Jenkins both pride themselves on the high level of service they offer as well as their hand-picked collections, which feature dresses by Diane von Furstenberg and Roland Mouret, alongside Christian Louboutin heels, Liberty silk scarves and leather totes from Jimmy Choo. Designer flagship stores and Harvey Nichols can be found at Multrees Walk, while Dick’s Edinburgh provide every lifestyle product a stylish man might need. Find our guide to designer shopping in Edinburgh here.

• Sweet Treats

We partnered with the ladies at EdinburghEtiquette.co.uk to provide inspiration when it comes to all things temptingly sweet. Though haggis flavoured chocolate may not appeal to everyone, we’re sure their top five Edinburgh destinations will inspire even the more savoury-inclined to sample a slice or two of cake. The sheer choice has had us spending our weekends tasting every suggestion, whether it’s choosing between the dozens of macaron varieties at Patisserie Madeleine, or the hand-crafted chocolate creations at Zukr Boutique…yum! Click here for their recommendations, but be warned, we are not responsible for any over-indulgence …and although we’re a little biased, our Champagne Afternoon Tea at North Bridge Brasserie isn’t to be missed either – the EdinburghEtiquette.co.uk team reviewed it here while EverythingLooksRosie.com let us know what she enjoyed here.

• Soothing Spa Treatments 

The new season has arrived and though colder weather may be coming, it needn’t put a dampener on our spirits. Our knowledgeable ScotsmanSpa team know a thing or two about looking after health, fitness and well-being, and were kind enough to share their tips for a feel-good autumn, inside and out. Think soothing stress-relieving massages and vitamin infused smoothies. While, those wishing to rejuvenate winter skin to embrace the au naturel AW 14 catwalk trends can find further information about Aveda facials here.

• Hand-Crafted Creations

90% of businesses in the Greater Grassmarket are independent and the capital’s design scene is thriving – ideal for souvenirs during a stay or showcasing local talent if you’re lucky enough to be a resident like us. Bold and bright shoes designed by Helen Bateman, stylish hats created at RoseYoung Designs and Jenny Parker’s edgy jewellery featuring Ballachulish slate, are some of the many hidden gems to be found and you can discover more about them here. Meanwhile, Howie Nicholsby has been transforming the way men wear kilts since 1996 at his company 21^st Century Kilts and we’ve been finding out more about his ambitions and achievements here.

Whether you’re in need of a little pick-me-up or a full day of indulgence, we hope we’ve inspired you to have a relaxing and luxurious experience in Edinburgh.

Discover the True Taste of Edinburgh…

You may have noticed the words ‘Taste of Edinburgh’ or #TasteofEdinburgh making an appearance across our website, news articles, Facebook and Twitter pages within the last couple of weeks. Take note, as any post with these three little words attached will take you on an adventure across Edinburgh over the next few months. We have created #TasteofEdinburgh with the help of local bloggers and businesses to ensure both visitors to the city and those of us who can proudly call the capital home, can discover top tips and exclusive offers for a unique Edinburgh experience. Our ultimate aim is to provide a very tempting taste of what Edinburgh really has to offer...and what kind of example of five-star Scottish hospitality would we be if we didn’t offer the chance to win an a selection of exclusive prizes, so that once you’ve read what to do in the city, you can experience it for yourself?

We have (naturally) begun with an exploration of the most indulgent and luxurious experiences the capital has to offer during September. Our article on exclusive designer shopping destinations in the city means you’ll know where to head to when you’re in want of catwalk-creations, and when you're in need of stylish sustenance, the ladies at Edinburgh Etiquette have provided their sweet treat suggestions…which have proved a little too tempting for the Scotsman team, on more than one occasion! Our A/W 14 shoe trend tips include had-to-have examples from award-winning designer accessories boutique Pam Jenkins, with designs from Christian Louboutin, Jimmy Choo and Miu Miu. Keep an eye out for well-being suggestions from our team at the Scotsman Spa & Health Club, and in the meantime you can see our pick of Aveda facials that will ensure you keep your summer glow a little longer – which will also be very handy when embracing this season’s less-is-more beauty trends. EverythingLooksRosie and 21^st Century Kilts will be offering their stylish suggestions next week…and we haven’t even mentioned this month’s competition to win a five-star overnight stay at The Scotsman Hotel for two, with luxurious spa and dining experiences included!

The following few months will introduce you to the capital’s incredible architecture, haunting past and historical landmarks, as well as recommendations on where to find the finest Scottish food and drink around the city. Keep updated on what we’ve been talking about and offer your top tips on our Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest pages, as well as on our news page…after all, you don’t want to miss out on the exciting experiences we have in store for you! 

Beat the Back-To-Work Blues with The Scotsman Hotel's Day Delegate Offer

The summer holidays are officially over and we’re back behind our desks with tan lines fading faster than the amount of time it takes to go through the seemingly endless pool-side selfies colleagues will endeavour to share. But let us not despair! The new season brings with it new positive challenges and the chance to take the next step forward on career paths…and knowing this, we have created the perfect day delegate package to help you!

After days and weeks spent soaking up the sun on many an exotic beach, everyone is markedly more refreshed than during their pre-holiday wind-down…and therefore form a much livelier, motivated and responsive audience. Thus, September can be the perfect time to make the finest of first impressions or inspire delegates within our five-star surroundings. Voice and visualise your ideas during a presentation in our 46-seater Screening Room, put pen to paper when closing contracts on our solid Boardroom desks, surrounded by oak-panelling, and follow by toasting to another successful day with our back-to-work offer for only £55 per person. If you’re hoping to gain influence rather than seal a new deal, the well-earned end-of-day drink included will instead provide the perfect opportunity to network and grow relationships in your field.

With a wide range of rooms and suites to choose from, a delicious Scottish lunch to enjoy at the award-winning North Bridge Brasserie and a fully equipped team to inform, returning to work doesn’t have to be daunting this September. 

The World Cup is Here

Watch all the Action at The Scotsman

Tomorrow sees the start of the world’s biggest sporting tournament – the World Cup. It has been three years and 334 days since Spain beat The Netherlands in a bad-tempered final in South Africa. This time, the action takes place across Brazil, the first time the tournament has been held there since 1950. Fans from across the globe have waited patiently, and at 9pm tomorrow when the hosts Brazil take on Croatia, the wait will finally be over.

If that wasn't enough, every resident, diner, spa guest and conference visitor to The Scotsman Hotel will be able to see a lot of the action in our state-of-the-art Screening Room. With 46 wingback leather chairs, surround-sound system and huge cinema screen, you can watch all the best goals, the toughest tackles, and see the eventual winner seize the crown when the tournament comes to an end on the 13th July.

A Whole Summer of Sport is Here

If football isn't your cup of tea, then The Scotsman Screening Room is also showing plenty of other sporting events across the summer. The 2014 Wimbledon Championships will be taking place at the same time as The World Cup. Starting on the 23rd June, the most prestigious tennis event in the world will play host to all the big names. Home favourite Andy Murray will be hoping to repeat his historic success of last year, but as always, will have to see off the likes of Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer along the way. Meanwhile, the women’s tournament is wide open, with last year’s winner Marion Bartoli having retired immediately after her victory.

Then, on the 23rd July, the Commonwealth Games come to Scotland, as Glasgow gets its chance to be the host city. The Commonwealth Games have a special atmosphere in the UK, as its one of the few occasions when Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland attend an athletics event separately, ensuring a competitive rivalry among the home nations.

The action stays in Scotland for the final major sporting event of the season, with the famous Ryder Cup being held at the iconic Gleneagles golf course. The European team will hope to retain their trophy for the third time in a row, especially after the events of 2012, nicknamed the ‘miracle in Medinah’, where Europe fought back from almost certain defeat to win the tournament in style.

Visiting The Scotsman this Summer?

So, as you can see, The Scotsman has you covered for sport this summer. If you’re staying in one of our elegant rooms or suites, or you have enjoyed a delicious meal at our award-winning North Bridge Brasserie, or even if you've been pampering yourself at our indulgent Spa & Health Club, then feel free to join us in the Screening Room to watch the best of the summer’s sporting action.

*The Screening Room will be opened on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to the nature of sporting events we cannot guarantee the timings of events.