Eteaket

Today I visited a relative newcomer to the Edinburgh scene, Eteaket. This delightful, popular and exciting tea boutique can be found at 41 Frederick Street. They serve an extensive range of teas for every mood or discerning palate. Ethically sourced and stocking predominantly loose leaf varieties, this tea room would seem to make, quite justifiably, a roaring trade. I would highly recommend the Lapsang Souchong here, grown on Mount Wuyi in China this stong black tea with pungent overtones of its wood-smoked history is absolutely fantastic.

They really seem to care about customer service and satisfaction here and even provide you with a little sand-timer so that you may remove the infuser before the tea is over-brewed. A very enticing little escape from a cold winter's day

The Red Door Gallery

At 42 Victoria Street lies a tiny gallery with big red doors simply called The Red Door Gallery. This contemporary, fun and friendly gallery specialises in affordable youthful art and design. It showcases the best of emerging designers from the local community and further afield. It is a cosy and welcoming gallery and well worth visiting. Great place to purchase little gifts or even some work of one of the on display talents.
Stocks a range from Gillian Kyle that is a fantastic twist on iconic Scottish cultural items and products and will bring a grin to all those "scotophiles" out there.

National Museum of Scotland

The National Museum of Scotland on Chamber Street is a fantastic way to spend a morning. Opened in 1998 and nominated for the 1999 Stirling Prize, this architecturally distinct take on a fortified castle, houses a complete history of Scotland from 3,400 million years ago to present date. Split over 9 levels, this irreplaceable national collection tells us the history of the nation and is a hit with young and old alike. Being designed and built for purpose, the museum is a prime example of how to curate a museum on a monumental scale. The exhibits are presented in such a way that you cannot help but feel curious to discover more. I was particularly fond of the level 6 exhibition A Changing Nation which shows the development of Scotland from the First World War until today, fascinating, insightful, enlightening and uplifting. Also not to be missed, The Roof Terrace on level 7 is quite breathtaking, from the distant views across the city skyline to up-close the range of Andy Goldsworthy installations. Currently running until the 14th of March within the special exhibitions sector of level 3 is meet your maker, a small but gratifying collection of works by 9 of the country's leading contemporary craft artists. Each day at least one of the artists will be in residence for you to meet or watch as they work. Today's artist was Leah Black whose jewellery range is inspired by the many monuments of Edinburgh and Glasgow.

The Howard

This week I had an overnight stay at The Howard. Located on the prestigious Great King Street at number 34 and labeled the most welcoming and discreet five star hotel in Edinburgh I was certainly in for a treat.

The service here is beyond comparison with a deluxe team of butlers to attend to your every whim. Upon arrival you are treated to tea or coffee in the decadent Georgian drawing-room and with the hum of a symphony in your ears you may settle into a real home away from home.

Escorted to my room, the Charlotte suite, I was delighted at the interior detailing to be found within, from the cast-iron column radiators to the bedside rotary dial telephone, every element of the suite's decoration was sympathetic and commodious. There was ample space to relax and bathe in the light of the three floor-to-ceiling sash and case windows and there was a definite luxurious pleasurable ease to be found here! The king-size bed was the pinnacle of lavish comfort and one might well never wish to leave.

The large bathroom benefited from perhaps the greatest shower I have ever had the pleasure of using with delightfully pressured waterflow and dual spraybars to erradiate any traces of Auld Reekie's presence. Expect nothing but the best with the range of Penhaligon's toiletries.

I dined in The Atholl, the hotel's restaurant, with decorations beffiting the Georgian splender afforded this address. The fine dining experience and extensive wine list was seconded only by the new menu for February. I sampled the Beetroot Consumme with wild mushroom ravioli followed by an ambrosial Vegetable strudel, mushroom & tarragon cous cous and sun blush tomato compote. If anything could top off this experience it had to be the cheese plate from renowned local cheesemonger I J Mellis. A relaxing atmosphere of old world charm, character and modesty. The meal was complemented to perfection by a sensious coffee and petit fours in the drawing room.

Sustained by a ludicrously good night's sleep, breakfast was of course to the delightfully high standard to which I was becoming accustomed, with the Chef laying on Eggs Florentine as a real treat.

With character and class in abundance this hotel is a definitive must stay for all lovers of fine hotels. Book Now!

In House

In house has been at the forefront of Edinburgh's design furniture and product market for a quarter of a century and is in my humble opinion, the best shop in the city to find great quality, well designed housewares. Split over two floors at 28 Howe Street, the chic exterior does not do justice to what lies within.

On the ground floor are ranges of furniture from design classics to the cutting edge, all carefully sourced and matched with precision to fitting partners. The basement holds predominantly household and kitchen accessories formed to perfection by a wide range of suppliers.
Perhaps the biggest selling point of all here is the knowledgeable staff for whom nothing is too big an imposition. They will happily source you any design product you are searching for, or assist you in making informed decisions on product choice.

Glass & Thomson

Glass & Thomson is a small but popular cafe establishment to be found at 2 Dundas Street.
It is small and appealing and rather less affected than many would have you believe. They table serve a great coffee here and if you are in the mood for a light bite then their lunch menu and range of à la mode baked goods should be sampled.

A pleasingly peaceful place to pass some time with friends or a good book.

The Scottish Gallery

The Scottish Gallery of 16 Dundas Street specialises in Contemporary and 20th Century prodominantly Scottish paintings and Objects.

This bright and airy dual level gallery is well known for exhibiting some of the largest names in Scottish art and its current exhibitions are no exception with the likes of William McTaggart on display.

I was particularly impressed with the exhibition of new works by Alexandra Knubley whose use of wax and oil as media creates a very pleasing depth to her work. The contrasting collection of urban and rural landscapes shows a great diversity, this combined with a very sensitive and complementary choice of wooden frames made this a very pleasing experience.

Open Eye Gallery & Eye 2

The Open Eye Gallery and its sister gallery the Eye 2 can be found at 34 Abercromby Place and are rather famed for the diversity of contemporary artists that they showcase. A beautifully appointed and maintained gallery, it is always worth visiting.

The Open Eye is currently exhibiting the works of Alan Davie whose paintings are bright, bold, flamboyant, and really scream out to be admired. They are centred around the theme of self-enlightenment and many tangled messages about his persona are evident here.

The Eye 2 gallery has since its inception specialised in modern European and American Printmaking. The current exhibit is of Joe Tilson's Works are a powerful statement against the further development of consumerism and are quite poignant in their way.

Sandeman's Free Edinburgh Tour

The Sandeman's free tour of Edinburgh is a fantastic way to get a brief overview into the history of the Old Town of Edinburgh. It runs twice a day at 11am and 1pm beginning outside 124 High Street. The tour lasts approximately 3 hours and is as, and if not more entertaining than most you shall find in the city. My guide for the day was Ronnie. His passion for the city and its history was evident and he was able to answer most questions thrown at him (no mean feat in a city so overwhelmingly steeped in history!) Our party contained approximately 30 people spanning all the continents and he showed a great aptitude in being able to bond with one and all making the tour not only historically accurate but also riotously entertaining!

As the tour is free you can expect large groups and so if looking for a more intimate tour this may not be for you. However, if you want a fun filled afternoon then don your warmest coat, hat, gloves, scarf.... perhaps an umbrella too and take the tour!

Studio One

Studio one at 10 - 14 Stafford Street in the heart of Edinburgh's West End was founded some 40 years ago. From that day forth they have been renowned for bringing good quality design products and curiosities to our city. They stock an eclectic range of housewares, gift ideas, jewelery books, children's toys and much more and though relatively small it is a real pleasure to wander through. With my interest in Scandinavian design I am delighted that they stock a small range of Iittala products especially the Taika crockery and a few examples of Alvar Aalto's glass vases.

Alpha Art

Alpha Art of 52 Hamilton Place in Stockbridge is always a favourite of mine! It is a small family run gallery and well worth a visit. It is a relaxing gallery cafe where you may wander and never feel overly pressured by staff, this combined with a fine range of reasonably priced pieces to meet most contemporary art lovers' budgets ensures that you can really feel welcome here. To the front of the gallery is the cafe where one could wile away the time relaxing with some fresh pastries and a coffee even before browsing through a good selection of established and emerging talent.

Being a fan of Peter Howson, I always get a thrill seeing his works on display here!

The Fruitmarket Gallery

The Fruitmarket Gallery at 45 Market Street, was first opened as a gallery in 1974 and over the years has benefited from assistance from the Scottish Arts Council to become one of the premier venues for contemporary art in Scotland featuring both Scottish and international artists of note. After much renovation the gallery has developed into a premium exhibition space. This light and spacious home of contemporary art also plays host to a fine cafe and a very worthy bookshop.

The current exhibition features Toby Paterson, whose works are based around post-war modernist architecture. Though not to my taste it is still worth a visit.

The Museum of Edinburgh

Built within the walls of a series of interconnected 16^th and 17^th century buildings the museum lays claim to an enormous haul of artefacts spanning the centuries and highlights quite magnificently how the city developed from its original roots. A definite must for those inclined towards a historical bent or lovers of fine crafts.

The People's Story

A museum dedicated to the history of the people of Edinburgh. Built within the casing of the historic Cannongate Tolbooth the museum brings to life scenes from the city from the late 18^th Century to present. A fine mix of displays highlight cultures throughout the centuries and allow one to grasp the way in which our ancestors lived. Well worth taking your time to soak up the exhibits.

While wandering through the ancient building it is well worth reminding yourself that in its heyday the building was used as a tax collecting house, court and a prison and how befitting it is that it now acts a historical guide to the everyday men and women of the city.

The Writers' Museum and Makars' Court

Built in the spectacular 17^th Century Lady Stair’s House the entire museum is dedicated to the great Scottish Literary figures namely Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson. Spanning 3 floors it houses artefacts and original works associated with Scotland’s most prolific writers. A small but truly well curated museum housing a wealth of information, a definite must see for affiliates of literature.

Adjacent to the museum lies Makars’ Court, whose poignant flagstones hold inscriptions of Scotland’s most talented literary figures from the 14^th Century to present.

Whilst here be sure not to miss Robert Burns' original writing desk!

The Museum of Childhood

The Museum of Childhood, 42 High Street, opened In 1955, the first ever museum in the world to specialise in the history of childhood. A great museum for children and adults alike, housing a fine collection of toys, games, dolls and much more from around the globe. Five galleries in total including a wealth of knowledge of how children were educated and reared over the decades. Sadly is now a little dated and would benefit from a facelift, but remains a definite favourite with one and all who visit.

A great place to spend an hour and marvel at the toys of yesteryear!