Edinburgh-born Andy Fraser has a close affinity with his home city, and as an experienced concierge who has worked at The Balmoral for 21 years, he is your personal tour guide.
Andy’s Top Five
How to spend a weekend in Edinburgh
The first thing I recommend when guests arrive at the hotel is the bus tour of Edinburgh, to get some good knowledge of the city. The heart of Edinburgh is a UNESCO World Heritage site, split into two parts which complement one another beautifully. The neoclassical New Town goes back over 255 years, while the Old Town dates back to the 12th century. Together, they form a unique landscape charting centuries of history.
If you’re walking around the city, start at the very top of the Royal Mile where you’ll find Scotland’s top tourist attraction, Edinburgh Castle, the stroll down to St Giles’ Cathedral, where the public paid respects to our late Queen after she was taken there from Holyrood Place, the King’s residence when he comes to Edinburgh.
Edinburgh is great to see on foot - I’d recommend a nice walk through Princes Street Gardens and back down George Street for some shopping among the Victorian architecture.
The Ultimate Edinburgh Souvenir
Foodies might like to bring home some black pudding from Saunderson’s on Leven Street, or a nice bottle of whisky engraved from the Edinburgh Distillery.
For something truly memorable and personalised, I recommend visiting the jeweller Hamilton & Inches, who do the engravings on many famous trophies, including the Calcutta Cup, the Doddie Weir Cup, and the Scottish Open. Buy a ‘quaich’ - a Scottish drinking cup and symbol of friendship - and have it engraved for a unique memory of your stay.
A must-see attraction for 2024
Visit the newly opened Port of Leith Distillery for a tasting tour. It’s Scotland’s first vertical distillery, standing nine storeys tall. Because whisky has to be matured for at least three years, their finished product is not yet available to buy, but you can enjoy a tipple at the top-floor bar. I visited recently and enjoyed the views out over the waterfront and the city.
The Best View of the City
My favourite view growing up was standing in East Princes Street Gardens looking out to the castle. I have fond memories of my dad taking me to watch the trains from there. I suggest a visit to the West Princes Street Gardens to see the Floral Clock - the oldest in the world.
Those feeling adventurous can climb Jacob’s Ladder, steep steps carved into the hill, or take a taxi up to enjoy the vista of the whole city; the Old and New Towns, right down the coast to the water of Leith, and as far as North Berwick.
Exclusive access to the city’s history and heritage
If guests wish to miss the daytime crowds, we can arrange an early morning private tour of Edinburgh Castle, the Palace, or the Royal Yacht Britannia. You’ll have the place to yourself before the doors open to the public.
The Balmoral Hotel itself is iconic - although people sometimes mix us up with the Balmoral Castle and we’ve had to say in the past, “No the Queen’s not here”. Guests like to know more about the history of our 122-year-old hotel. Placed right at the start of Edinburgh’s New Town, it has some fascinating features, not least the Balmoral Clock, set 3 minutes fast since 1902 so passengers at the nearby Waverly Station could catch their trains on time.
The Balmoral, 1 Princes Street, where Old Town meets New, a legendary hotel and landmark clock tower: a symbol of its city
Phone Number*
Address
1 Princes Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2EQ
Edinburgh EH2 2EQ
Edinburgh EH2 2EQ
The Balmoral, 1 Princes Street, where Old Town meets New, a legendary hotel and landmark clock tower: a symbol of its city
Phone Number*
Address
1 Princes Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2EQ
Edinburgh EH2 2EQ
Edinburgh EH2 2EQ
The Balmoral, 1 Princes Street, where Old Town meets New, a legendary hotel and landmark clock tower: a symbol of its city
Phone Number*
Address
1 Princes Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2EQ
Edinburgh EH2 2EQ
Edinburgh EH2 2EQ