100 Princes Street, Edinburgh, Scotland

Posted in Projects on 15 June, 2025

Red Carnation’s Edinburgh property immerses guests in the full Scottish experience but with unique flair.

Words by Karen Bamford.

Arriving at Edinburgh Waverley train station on a gloriously warm, sunny day in April I could be forgiven for questioning whether I’d disembarked at the wrong stop. But I was left in no doubt by the tartan-clad staff of 100 Princes Street, who hurried forward to welcome my party to the city and collect our luggage for the short stroll to the hotel.

Red Carnation’s first Scottish hotel offers guests a thoroughly immersive, authentic Scottish experience that begins from the moment of arrival and carries through to the décor, local fare and outstanding view of Edinburgh Castle. Inspired by the adventures of Scottish explorers who frequented the building as the former headquarters of the Royal Overseas League, 100 Princes Street is an exquisitely curated property that promises a journey into Scotland’s rich cultural, historic and nautical legacy.

100 Princes Street, Edinburgh, Scotland. Above: The Isobel Suite. Top: The Archibald Suite

On our arrival at the 30-key boutique hotel, a kilted young Scot took up his bagpipes and piped us into the building. We followed him through the small foyer and up a wide staircase lined with a hand-painted mural by Croxford and Saunders. This artistic marvel stretches the length of the five-storey staircase and tells the story of Scottish botanists whose discoveries and contributions to the world of plants, trees and flowers are depicted throughout. The mural culminates at the top of the staircase with a glass and bronze chandelier shaped like an adventurer’s hot air balloon.

The hotel has a lift, but I’d recommend taking the stairs whenever you can for the pure joy of spotting something different in the mural each time. Look out for the penguins gazing upwards – as in the urban myth of the flightless birds at Edinburgh Zoo who were said to topple over backwards while watching planes from the neighbouring airport.

On this occasion, however, we stopped at a lower floor, for a comfortable check-in process at The Wallace. The hub of the hotel, The Wallace serves as a plush dining room, bar, lounge and tasting room, and boasts huge windows facing the castle. Handpicked antiques and nautical design elements are woven throughout the property and come together to narrate the building’s illustrious history. In The Wallace, an impressive model ship commands an entire occasional table set among the inviting array of squashy armchairs and sofas clustered around low tables. The soft, generously proportioned chairs lend a cosy, inviting warmth to the space – perfect for settling in with The Wallace’s excellent afternoon tea and soaking up the view.

In The Wallace, an impressive model ship commands an entire occasional table set among the inviting array of squashy armchairs and sofas clustered around low tables.

Alternatively, Ghillie’s Pantry, is an elegant private dining room for up to 12 guests, where custom tasting menus are served. I enjoyed the chef’s Taste of Scotland, an elevated menu of traditional fare including salmon; haggis, neeps and tatties; and cranachan. Ghillie’s Pantry is crowned by a stunning astrological ceiling mural, also by Croxford and Saunders, and the walls are lined with more than 100 whiskies, including rare bottles, such as the Laphroaig 20 Year Old Director’s Special and The Glenlivet 25 Years Single Malt.

Renowned for its guest experiences, Red Carnation offers whisky tasting with Head Bartender Dario Orsili. I’m not a whisky drinker myself but couldn’t resist giving it a go when I saw how beautifully the table was laid with “wee drams” and little dishes of nuts of chocolate to enhance the tasting. Dario put me at ease, and I enjoyed learning about Scotland’s water of life.

The Tollman family, which owns the Red Carnation collection of 17 properties, focused on protecting the architectural heritage of the building and restoring its original features, while adding a wealth of contemporary luxuries. Underfloor heating in the marble lined bathrooms is an example of how style matches comfort.

The Archibald Suite is named after renowned Scottish explorer Archibald Menzies.

Each guestroom and suite were individually designed as a testament to the hotel’s rich heritage and its connections to historical figures. The two signature suites, named The Archibald and The Isobel after renowned Scottish explorers Archibald Menzies and Isobel Wylie Hutchison, offer breath-taking views of Edinburgh Castle. Special touches in The Isobel range from the grand – a unique shimmering, botanical themed wardrobe – to the almost inconsequential – bedside reading in the form of a collector’s edition of Scottish Folk & Fairy Tales.

My room was at the back of the building, so without a castle view, but the unexpected bonus of a balcony equipped with two comfortable loungers – an absolute boon given the sunshine.

All rooms feature custom-made furnishings, fabrics and artworks created by local artisans that are unique to the hotel, including five tartans by Scottish designer Araminta Campbell. The luxury brand is renowned for its exquisite handwoven and mill-woven textiles.

I visited the Araminta Campbell Atelier just outside Edinburgh. Housed in a castle-like 1822 baronial-style farmhouse, the space includes a weaving workshop (with vintage George-Wood looms), design studio and elegant showroom. The brand renovated the historic building, breathing new life into its slated roofs, parapets, angle turrets and pointed windows. Its clientele includes A-list celebrities and prestigious venues, such as Balmoral Castle.

Now, 100 Princes Street is a key client too, with Araminta drawing on the building’s heritage and story of the Royal Overseas League to design and create unique tartans mainly for use on walls and furnishings. Each of the named designs is certified by The Scottish Register of Tartans, which details their thread counts and colours: Brennan B is in honour of Brian Brennan, who has worked closely with the Tollman Family for the past 29 years, and has played a major role in designing, creating and developing the RCH collection; Swirling E is in honour of the late Mr Tollman’s mother; Lurie B recognises Beatrice Tollman’s maiden name; Tollman S honours the late Stanley Tollman; and 100 Princes Street is the hotel’s official tartan.

Traditionally many tartans were bright and bold so that families or clans could easily recognise one another on a battlefield. Araminta’s designs are more muted and earthy. They’re a world away from the garish souvenirs offered to tourists in shops on the Royal Mile. At the hotel, her designs comfort and cheer, infusing guests in the sense of place and history.

Left: the mural on the five-storey staircase tells the story of Scottish botanists and their discoveries and contributions to the world of plants, trees and flowers. Middle: Bathroom. Right: The Wallace Suite

As with all successful interiors, it’s the smallest details that count. Simple compass designs embellish the dinner service, ceilings and brass doorknobs. Bedding and towels are monogrammed with ‘100’ and the numerals were also dusted on top of my cappuccino. Sporrans double as ‘do not disturb’ signs on guestroom doors.

I appreciated the labelled bank of light switches, so that (for once) I wasn’t lying in bed trying to work out how to turn everything off. The same is true at the hotel’s sister property, The Milestone Hotel & Residences in London where I stayed for one night before catching the train from Kings Cross to Edinburgh. Let the train take the strain, they say, and so I did. A sumptuous evening in London followed by a seamless, scenic train ride was the best start to my immersive Scottish experience.

The Milestone is a charming and historic boutique hotel, directly opposite Kensington Palace and Gardens. As with 100 Princes Street, I slept like a baby thanks to exquisitely comfortable beds and pillows, in dark quiet rooms. Both had grand desks, ideal for working at or using as a dressing table, plenty of hanging space and luxurious, marble bathrooms. Location appropriate artworks and bedside reading, complimentary chocolate cake, and the most thoughtful turndown service are as ubiquitous at Red Carnation as the friendly, knowledgeable staff

History? I’d like more of this comfort in my future please!.