Edinburgh’s most famous hotel is celebrating 20 years as part of the Rocco Forte group with a makeover of some of its best-loved rooms
When conjuring up images of Edin burgh, your mind’s eye automatically searches for those classic frames that take in the quintessential elements of the city: the castle, Arthur’s Seat, the Scott Monument. The Balmoral, at number one Princes Street, belongs with that collection of historic landmarks, inextricably linked to the city and its heritage.
It first opened in 1902 as the North British Station Hotel, and remains the only residential building ever built on the south side of Princes Street. In 1997, when Sir Rocco Forte was starting up his own portfolio of hotels, it was the Balmoral that he bought first. It had always been important to the hotelier, not least because of his family connections to Scotland. His grandfather came to the country in 1911 and his father brought Rocco and his siblings in the summer, when they’d fish and explore the countryside. The whole family has fond memories of those long-ago Scottish summers, so it’s not surprising that the Balmoral should remain a significant part of the family’s legacy.
Denne historien er fra July-August 2017-utgaven av Homes & Interiors Scotland.
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Denne historien er fra July-August 2017-utgaven av Homes & Interiors Scotland.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Escape BOATH HOUSE
An inspirational Georgian manor house in the north-east offers sanctuary to artists, poets and the curious of spirit
Escape THE LOOKOUT
Sun-drenched interiors, right on the beach - it's hard to believe this is Scotland
"It still feels like home. Just nicer"
The owners of this house in Edinburgh didn't intend to give it a complete makeover, but once they started they just couldn't stop
A SCOTTISH LOVE STORY
You need passion to persevere through a lengthy restoration project. Thankfully for this rambling old lodge in Highland Perthshire, its new owners were already head over heels
CLEAN AND POLISH
Ten years in the making, this one-time dental surgery in Portobello has been reshaped as an elegant, practical family home
MEET THE MAKER RACHEL MACLELLAN
You might think the process is purely creative, but designing knitted textiles requires a deep understanding of geometry and pattern calculations. It is intricate and often mathematical. I have learned that knitting demands a constant balance between artistry and engineering. Creating a new textile involves not only selecting colours and yarns but also considering the tensile strength, elasticity and drape of the material. That way, I ensure the final product is both aesthetically pleasing and functional. To me, this blend of creativity and technical precision is a fascinating aspect of knitted textile design.
IN THE KITCHEN AT PARTIES
It's all in the details for this slick and multifunctional entertainment space
JUST A HINT OF PINK
This family-orientated Georgian kitchen gets an upgrade in both footprint and finish
BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
Beauty and the best of Scotland on the shores of Loch Ness
LAURA THOMAS
The environmentalist has become a very successful entrepreneur whose products are stocked by Scotland's best hotels
