Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh
The Balmoral, originally known as the North British Railway Station Hotel, is a prestigious five-star establishment and a well-known landmark in Edinburgh. Situated at the heart of the city's east end on Princes Street, which is the primary shopping district beneath the towering Edinburgh Castle, it also marks the southern boundary of the New Town.
Since 1902, the hotel's clock has intentionally been set three minutes ahead of the actual time to prevent Edinburgh residents from missing their trains. This practice continues today, except on December 31st (Hogmanay), when the clock is synchronized with the correct time for the city's New Year celebrations. The clock tower itself, standing at a height of 190 feet (58 meters), stands out prominently in the center of Edinburgh.
In February 2007, it was confirmed that the renowned author J.K. Rowling completed the final book in the Harry Potter series, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," while staying at this hotel. Rowling left a signed note on a marble bust of Hermes in her room, stating, "J.K. Rowling finished writing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in this room (552) on 11th Jan 2007." Subsequently, the room was renamed the "J.K. Rowling Suite," and the marble bust is now displayed in a protective glass case. This suite, with a nightly rate of nearly £1,000, has become a place of pilgrimage for dedicated Harry Potter fans.
Since 1902, the hotel's clock has intentionally been set three minutes ahead of the actual time to prevent Edinburgh residents from missing their trains. This practice continues today, except on December 31st (Hogmanay), when the clock is synchronized with the correct time for the city's New Year celebrations. The clock tower itself, standing at a height of 190 feet (58 meters), stands out prominently in the center of Edinburgh.
In February 2007, it was confirmed that the renowned author J.K. Rowling completed the final book in the Harry Potter series, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," while staying at this hotel. Rowling left a signed note on a marble bust of Hermes in her room, stating, "J.K. Rowling finished writing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in this room (552) on 11th Jan 2007." Subsequently, the room was renamed the "J.K. Rowling Suite," and the marble bust is now displayed in a protective glass case. This suite, with a nightly rate of nearly £1,000, has become a place of pilgrimage for dedicated Harry Potter fans.
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Balmoral Hotel on Map
Sight Name: Balmoral Hotel
Sight Location: Edinburgh, Scotland (See walking tours in Edinburgh)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Edinburgh, Scotland (See walking tours in Edinburgh)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Edinburgh, Scotland
Create Your Own Walk in Edinburgh
Creating your own self-guided walk in Edinburgh is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Edinburgh Introduction Walking Tour
Comfortably yet tightly packed on the hilly terrain, Edinburgh – the Scottish capital since at least the 15th century, and the seat of the Scottish Parliament since 1999 – is a picturesque city renowned for its unique architecture of the medieval Old Town and elegant Georgian New Town, currently both listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The earliest known human habitation in the area dates... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Royal Mile Walking Tour
The Royal Mile, a steep thoroughfare in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town, is one of the city's busiest tourist destinations. It runs down a slope, from the famed Edinburgh Castle to Holyroodhouse Palace and the ruined Holyrood Abbey, for almost exactly a mile and thus got its name, coined in 1920. The succession of streets forming the Royal Mile is lined with numerous shops, pubs,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Old Town Walking Tour
The historical center of Edinburgh, popularly known as the Old Town, is indeed the oldest part of the Scottish capital. Most of the buildings here, made of stone and characterized by numerous tall windows, have been around since the Middle Ages and are covered with soot, left over from the days long gone, when houses were heated with hard-coal and wood. Hence the prevailing gray color in the area.... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
New Town Walking Tour
Rightly regarded as the historic masterpiece of city planning, the New Town of Edinburgh has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995. The area forms a significant part of the Scottish capital and is known for its elegant Georgian architecture, abundant shopping opportunities, and many other delights firmly associated with this city.
One of the prominent landmarks in the New Town is... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
One of the prominent landmarks in the New Town is... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Literary Landmarks Tour
For centuries, Edinburgh has been home to numerous writers. The likes of Robert Burns, Robert Louis Stevenson, and JK Rowling, just to name a few, have given pride to this city. Fortunately, the tradition doesn't seem to die out any time soon, as Edinburgh keeps producing more and more authors and literary heroes in whose footsteps people still wish to tread.
Naturally, there is a wealth... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
Naturally, there is a wealth... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
Edinburgh Pub Crawl
Edinburgh is rich in pubs, both old and new, spoiling their patrons with the best in town drinks and food. Although most traditional pubs in the city are laid back, with a quiet and relaxing atmosphere, some have dance floors and double as nightclubs. This self-guided adventure takes you to several such spots, each with its own story to tell.
Our journey begins at the World's End Pub, a... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Our journey begins at the World's End Pub, a... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Top 12 Pubs On and Around Royal Mile in Edinburgh
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