The Butler's Guide to Edinburgh

Eteaket

2010-02-26T18:27:00.002Z

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

2010-02-26T17:30:00.005Z

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

2010-02-26T16:53:00.006Z

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

2010-02-19T11:21:00.004Z

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

2010-02-17T16:19:00.006Z

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

2010-02-17T16:02:00.003Z

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

2010-02-17T15:44:00.002Z

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

2010-02-17T15:04:00.005Z

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

2010-02-17T14:29:00.003Z

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

2010-02-10T17:56:00.003Z

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

2010-02-10T17:37:00.005Z

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

2010-02-08T20:06:00.003Z

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

2010-02-08T19:54:00.001Z

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

2010-02-08T19:49:00.003Z

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

2010-02-08T19:41:00.004Z

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

2010-02-08T19:27:00.002Z

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!

Circle Cafe & Bakery

2010-02-06T18:19:00.003Z

Circle Cafe located at 1 Brandon Terrace in the Canonmills district of the city opened its doors in the winter of 2004 and since has grown from strength to strength. With its own subterranean bakery, all food is cooked from scratch daily and most sourced locally to ensure freshness. They serve a great cappuccino, neither too hot nor too cool a perfect solution to an overcast day It was a pleasure to unwind and read a local broadsheet and let the noise of the patrons wash over you. Within the premises the towering victorian sandstone and brick feature walls are complemented well by the use of timber, stainless steel and original cornicing. My only gripe was that the brownie was a tad too dry and crumbly. Also within they stock a range of gift cards which are worth perusing.

The National Gallery of Scotland

2010-01-27T19:27:00.000Z

The National Gallery, situated to the rear of the RSA and now joined by the underground Weston Link is the home of Scotland's national collection of fine art, whose works span from early Renaissance to the end of the 19th Century. Undoubtedly an exquisite sample of the masters works. When walking through one cannot but help feel over whelmed by the opulence on display here as one views the works of Rembrant, Van Gogh, Cezanne, McTaggart and Raeburn.

Find your way down to the lower level which plays host to the Scottish Collection, you will not be disappointed.

The Royal Scottish Academy Building

2010-01-27T18:52:00.000Z

The RSA is sited at the foot of The Mound, the steep man made slope that joins Edinburgh's Old Town to the New Town. It is another fine example of Edinburgh Architecture designed by William Henry Playfair. Reopened in 2003 it is considered one of the finest temporary exhibition centres in Europe and is well deserved of its reputation.
It is currently housing the works of many artists of pedigree but the exhibition that really caught my eye was that of Beth Fisher whose dramatic and figurative works show real inner depth and character.

In the inner sanctum of the museum until the 31st of January there is an exhibition of Turner's watercolours. A fine selection of works spanning the whole career of one of the British great master watercolourists.

Henderson's Restaurant

2010-01-27T15:39:00.000Z

Henderson's Restaurant, 94 Hanover Street, established in 1962 is a personal favorite of mine, whether to sample its vegetarian menu or simply have a coffee in the warm art lined walls.

Today a cappuccino was in order. Always friendly, welcoming and fresh. The prices are reasonable and the surroundings basic but cosy. A great place to pop in, sit down and chat without pretensions.

Dean Gallery

2010-01-27T15:14:00.000Z

The Dean Gallery, 73 Belford Road, directly opposite The Gallery of Modern Art is also a specialist in modern art but tends more to the influence of Dada and Surrealism. Opened in 1999 it holds on the ground floor a collection of works by Dali, Miro and Picasso to name drop but a few. Currently hosting the BP Portrait Award 2009 on the upper level it is a great opportunity to see some fresh talent in the field of portraiture whilst the National Portrait Gallery is closed. Whilst visiting take the time to examine some of the extravagant permanent exhibits such as Paolozzi's Studio.

The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art - "Neon Classical"

2010-01-27T14:36:00.000Z

Today was all about Edinburgh's wealth of Art. The Gallery of Modern Art, 75 Belford Road, Edinburgh, represents one of the finest collections of works from 1900 to present. It was with great excitement that I approached the gallery, and who could blame me?

A short 10 minute walk from the West End this gallery has been the HQ of modern art since it opened in 1984. Set in magnificent landscaped grounds the neo-classical landmark holds a fine collection open to one and all. Above the grand frontage a bright neon lighting installation reads "everything is going to be alright" and these words of hope echo through its vast structure. Whilst wandering through it is hard to not feel inspired by not only the collections but by the hard working curators who have so brilliantly turned this former school into a prime example of why Edinburgh has its fine reputation for Art and culture. A must see!

Welcome One & All

2010-01-27T14:01:00.000Z

Welcome to The Butler's Guide To Edinburgh!

I write to you as a butler and tourism professional with a passion for my city and the wonders it holds!
I have setup this blog to promote tourism, culture and business in the city of Edinburgh. I hope that my writing can help you in discovering what truly is a remarkable Capital.

Should you have any questions or wish to contact me, please do so at edinburgh.butler@yahoo.co.uk.

Best Regards,

The Edinburgh Butler