Completed in 1902, the building was built as North Bridge was widened between the Old Town and New Town. The 190 foot structure which dominates the Old Town skyline was designed and built by Dunn & Findlay. The partnership was made up of James Bow Dunn and James Leslie Findlay. Findlay was the son of newspaper magnate and Scotsman owner John Ritchie Findlay and the newspaper soon moved into the building - giving it its name.placeholder image
Completed in 1902, the building was built as North Bridge was widened between the Old Town and New Town. The 190 foot structure which dominates the Old Town skyline was designed and built by Dunn & Findlay. The partnership was made up of James Bow Dunn and James Leslie Findlay. Findlay was the son of newspaper magnate and Scotsman owner John Ritchie Findlay and the newspaper soon moved into the building - giving it its name.

Edinburgh's Favourite Buildings: The story of the Scotsman Hotel in 6 pictures

Callum McCormack
By Callum McCormack

News Features Writer

Published 24th Aug 2024, 04:45 GMT

The Scotsman Hotel cuts an imposing figure in the Old Town skyline and the building has lived two interesting lives.

From its conception in the late 1890s to its current position as one of the top hotels in the country, the Scotsman building on North Bridge has been a consistent statement of grandeur.

It has seen top celebrities squirm under pressure from some of Scotland’s best journalists and lap up luxury in the confines of penthouse suites. It is perhaps easy to imagine which of those they would prefer.

We look back at the Scotsman Hotel’s history in 6 pictures.

In 2001, the building was renovated into the Scotsman Hotel, a luxury hotel owned first by JJW Hotels & Resorts and then purchased by Sheikh Mohamed bin Issa Al Jaber for £63 million in 2006. The hotel would go on to win a number of awards and acknowledgements - including being voted one of the top hotels in the world by Condé Nast Traveler in 2007.

5. The Scotsman is decked out for royalty...

In 2001, the building was renovated into the Scotsman Hotel, a luxury hotel owned first by JJW Hotels & Resorts and then purchased by Sheikh Mohamed bin Issa Al Jaber for £63 million in 2006. The hotel would go on to win a number of awards and acknowledgements - including being voted one of the top hotels in the world by Condé Nast Traveler in 2007. | Supplied

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Despite its new life as a the former offices of the Edinburgh Evening News do still maintain "spiritual" links to its former tenants. The office is said to be haunted by a host of ghosts, including a phantom printer and a phantom forger. However, on a more earthly plane, a number of rooms make reference to the building's past and the pigeon loft is now the penthouse suite.

6. Links to the past...

Despite its new life as a the former offices of the Edinburgh Evening News do still maintain "spiritual" links to its former tenants. The office is said to be haunted by a host of ghosts, including a phantom printer and a phantom forger. However, on a more earthly plane, a number of rooms make reference to the building's past and the pigeon loft is now the penthouse suite. | Supplied

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