Maps & Directions
The Balmoral originally opened in 1902 as the North British Hotel, a traditional railway hotel adjacent to Waverley Station in Edinburgh. Located in the heart of the city at 1 Princes Street, overlooking Edinburgh Castle, The Balmoral's majestic clock tower is an Edinburgh landmark which can be seen from all around. Given that the hotel is adjacent to the station, the clock is always set two minutes fast to ensure people don't miss their trains - except on New Year's Eve of course!
Edinburgh, Scotland's capital, is a beautiful city, with stunning architecture in the Old Town, dating back to the 12th century, and the New Town - where a great burst of architectural creativity took place between 1767 and 1840. This is reflected in Edinburgh's wealth of neoclassical buildings, highlighting some of Britain's best Georgian and Regency architecture.
Dominating the Edinburgh skyline is Edinburgh Castle. Perched on Castle Rock, an ancient volcanic mound, it overlooks the city and contains the Scottish Crown Jewels, the Scottish National War Memorial, and St Margaret's Chapel. The castle esplanade is the site of the annual Edinburgh Military Tattoo and the route from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse (home of the royal family when they visit Edinburgh) is known as the Royal Mile.
To the east of the hotel lies Calton Hill, an acropolis-style monument overlooking Princes Street, which has earned the city its nickname of 'Athens of the North'. Another familiar monument is Greyfriars Bobby, the little dog who famously guarded his master's grave for many years and was considered to be part of the community.
Often considered a perennial destination, 'Eventful Edinburgh' offers something for everyone, with 20 golf courses surrounding the city; theatres featuring the latest West End shows; the Edinburgh International Festival during the summer; Hogmanay New Year celebrations in the winter; and many other world-class events. Most of the city's inhabitants both live and work in the city centre, which gives it a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere.
Edinburgh Attractions
- Camera Obscura
- Edinburgh Castle
- Edinburgh Festival
- Edinburgh Zoo
- Greyfriars Bobby
- Arthur's Seat
- Royal Mile
- National Gallery of Scotland
- St Giles' Cathedral
- The Edinburgh Dungeon
- Museum of Childhood
- The Royal Yacht Britannia
- Royal Observatory -
- National Library of Scotland
- Museum of Edinburgh
- Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre
- Our Dynamic Earth
- Calton Hill
- Craigmillar Castle
- Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh
- Scottish Camber Orchestra
- John Knox House
- Royal Museum
- Scottish National Portrait Gallery
- Palace of Holyroodhouse