Royal Highland Show 2015

Here at The Dunstane Hotel we get very excited at this time of year. Well, to be fair we're always excited about something going on in Edinburgh, but the Royal Highland Show (18th-21st June 2015) gives the city a special buzz! Our luxurious rooms are booked up by exhibitors and visitors alike, all needing a peaceful place to relax and a good dinner in our Skerries restaurant after a busy day. With over 5,000 livestock being exhibited and around 180,000 visitors at the show the show is almost unrecognisable from its humble beginnings in the Canongate area of Edinburgh.

First held in December 1822 and it showcased just 60-75 cattle, 8 sheep and according to The Scotsman at the time, "two beautiful pigs"! The Royal family have had a keen interest in the show since the early 1900's and Queen Victoria started a long line of Royal patrons of the show. George VI, father of current patron, Her Majesty The Queen, bestowed the title of Royal to the show in 1948. For 130 years the show moved between Edinburgh, Glasgow

and Perth until it found a permanent home at Ingliston in 1960. This year is the 175th Royal Highland Show and it already looks like it will be an especially busy year for both Royal Highland Show and The Dunstane!

The Highland Show really does have something for everyone. You definitely need at least a full day to get round everything, even if you're not in the agriculture business you can't help but appreciate the quality of the livestock from the gentle giants of the equine world to champion dairy cows. Of course, the Highlands are not complete without Scotland's most famous livestock the - Highland "Coo"! If after all that livestock is still not impressing, well the Royal Highland Show exhibitors have a lot more to throw at you!

If you fancy a laugh be sure to catch the terrier racing or for something with more of a'wow factor' there are incredible falconry displays or catch the Show Jumping to see the bond between horse and rider at it's best. There's plenty for the kids to get involved with too, getting up close to some of the animals, take a ride on a tractor or get creative and put those little hands to good use in the craft tent. There is a whole shopping area and of course no event like this would be complete without the Food Hall!


So we need to stop now, if we tell you everything that's happening not only would we run out of space to type, but it would spoil the surprise! Rooms book up fast at The Dunstane so give us a call soon and we'd love to see your pictures and hear about your experiences at the Royal Highland Show 2015, get in touch on our facebook page www.facebook.com/dunstanehotels or on twitter @The Dunstane 



For details and tickets for the Highland Show visit http://royalhighlandshow.org/

Fashionable Shopping Breaks in Edinburgh

Discover our Fabulous Shopping Break Offers at The Dunstane

Edinburgh although often understated, has some of the most incredible shopping, from Jenner’s to Harvey Nichols and all of the high street shops in between, you are bound to be heading home with heavy shopping bags after a trip to the Scottish capital.  Here at The Dunstane we offer the Boutique Hotel experience alongside special shopping breaks that allow you to come and have a weekend’s shopping with an inclusive Scottish breakfast in with your accommodation prices.

Image Courtesy of Wikipedia

How about a Shopping Break?

Without doing too much bragging, we like to treat our guests to the fine things in life. Our luxury boutique breaks feature homemade chocolates delivered to your room, a treat bag full of goodies and a luxury gift set from us, here at The Dunstane complimentary. As if that is not enough, how about a glass of Prosecco upon your arrival, full Scottish Breakfast every morning of your stay and a trip to Molton Brown in George Street for the Mini Pamper Package, all for the amazing price of £179.00 per person. This is all based on two people sharing a ‘City' double room for two nights. It sounds like the perfect getaway weekend with a friend, doesn't it?

Shop the rest of Edinburgh

Don’t forget that Edinburgh has plenty more shopping experiences to add to your amazing time with us. There is Princes Street, George Street and of course, for the customary tartan there is the Royal Mile and other areas of the city.

We can also add other options to complete your shopping experience. For example, what about a colours session, or a ‘friends’ day’, or your own private ‘personal shopper’ to help you pick something exquisite? The offer of this exclusive package will remain open only until September 30^th, 2014, so book now to avoid being disappointed and come and have a great time with us at The Dunstane in the Scottish Capital. Contact our Sales team now on 0131 337 6169

Amazing Deals for spending your October Break in Edinburgh!

Edinburgh is a city that—similar to New York—never seems to sleep.  It does not matter what time of year you come to stay with us at The Dunstane, there is bound to be something to keep you entertained. Whilst it is the summer holidays now, it won’t be long until the October Break and where better to spend the week than Edinburgh. There is something for the whole family, not to mention our amazing special offers for Autumn Breaks but in case you are struggling with what to see and do check out our top picks below. 

Edinburgh is a city that—similar to New York—never seems to sleep.  It does not matter what time of year you come to stay with us at The Dunstane, there is bound to be something to keep you entertained. Whilst it is the summer holidays now, it won’t be long until the October Break and where better to spend the week than Edinburgh. There is something for the whole family, but in case you are struggling with what to see and do check out our top picks below. 

Stockbridge Market

This is one of the best Scottish Farmer's markets around for miles, and you should check out the fresh produce you can get from locally based farmers. Not only will you find tasty treats to tantalise your tongue, but you can also buy artisan created items and crafts to take home and display.

Curious about Edinburgh

Whether you have been here before or not, you have the perfect opportunity to get to know the city better. There are two optional self-guided tours available, and you can also have a treasure hunt if you fancy that too. Ask us for more information.

Wine Unearthed

Can't beat a good glass of vino, right?  Take advantage of the wine tasting opportunities in Edinburgh between April and November. If you are here in October, you can check our local tastings and ask us for details.

PBFA Book Fair

Now, if you love the smell of old books, you have to visit the book fair. You can see it down at 80 High Street, the Royal Mile, just about a five minute walk from The Dunstane on 18^th October. Here you can buy and look at old and antiquated books and old maps for sale by merchants from all around the United Kingdom. It is a definite must for any bibliophile.

Scottish International Storytelling Festival

Nothing beats a good story and from 24^th October to 2^nd November you can visit a universe of folklore, dreams, fantasy and fun by coming and listening to storytellers weave their tales of intrigue and imagination as you are whisked away to places and parts afar and unknown. That is at 43-45 High Street.

The Real Mary King’s Close

This is a must-do, for those who have been here before and those who have not. The Real Mary King's Close is an underground adventure of murder, horror plagues and sickness that you simply cannot miss. Staying at The Dunstane we have some amazing special offers which will give you access to all of the above events.

Stay in Edinburgh for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games!

The Commonwealth Games is a sporting competition held among the 70+ nations of the Commonwealth of the former British Empire. The Olympic style event was first conceived in the late 1800’s and took place for the very first time in 1911. Whilst the commonwealth games used to be static, held at Crystal Palace, it has since been taken from city to city around the Commonwealth itself, much like the Olympic Games. This year the Games will be held in Glasgow, Scotland.

Why stay in Edinburgh?

Given that Glasgow is about 45 miles away from Edinburgh, you might think that it is pretty impractical for someone to stay in Edinburgh during the Commonwealth Games, instead of right there in Glasgow. However, thinking about it, it actually makes good sense to be staying outside of the city that will be very busy and full of tourists. When you get back to the quiet of our boutique hotel, here at the Dunstane in Edinburgh, you will enjoy the peace and quiet and pure tranquillity away from that hustle and bustle.

Games Travel

Edinburgh offers so much in the way of entertainment, gastronomy, sightseeing and historical delights that you can spend most of your time wandering around the city and forget to go to the games altogether! Although, most people only tend to buy tickets for specific events, so therefore if you get a hotel room in Edinburgh you can enjoy being away from the centre of the action until it is time for you to go and join it. Travel is very easy and fast between the city of Edinburgh and Glasgow, taking approximately one hour on the train.  Alternatively, you can hire a care—or bring your own if you drove here in the first place! Whichever way you choose to get to the 2014 Commonwealth Games, it is sure to be a wonderful sporting event, as always.