Fact Sheet
Almost as famous as the castle itself.
Harper's & Queen
The Witchery by the Castle is probably Scotland's most famous restaurant, offering exceptional Scottish produce in a magical setting at the gates of Edinburgh castle.
Over four decades it has become an Edinburgh institution, loved by its loyal locals as much as its celebrity fans and visitors to Edinburgh. Privately owned and run by restaurateur-hotelier James Thomson it now comprises two magical dining rooms and a collection of eight luxurious and romantic suites
ADDRESS
The Witchery by the Castle
Castlehill
The Royal Mile
Edinburgh
EH1 2NF
RESERVATIONS
+ 44 (0) 131 225 5613
or online at www.thewitchery.com
LOCATION
The Witchery by the Castle is located at the top of the Royal Mile, you’ll see us on the left as you approach Edinburgh Castle. Hidden in a collection of ancient buildings in the heart of Edinburgh's historic Old Town, the Witchery's entrance is though an ancient "close" below a gilded heraldic sign.
RESTAURANT
The Witchery by the Castle has developed a world-wide reputation for its exceptional dining experience, showcasing the very best of Scotland’s produce. Now in its fourth decade, the Witchery comprises the both original Witchery dining room and the elegant Secret Garden as well as a collection of eight highly-individual suites.
Alongside the Scottish seafood, beef, lamb and game you’d expect to find, you’ll always see the Witchery’s legendary Angus beef steak tartar, briny-fresh seafood platters and even some award-winning haggis featuring on the menu.
MENUS
The Witchery specialises in offering the very best sustainable Scottish produce. Alongside the Scottish seafood, beef, lamb and game you’d expect to find, you’ll always see the Witchery’s legendary Angus beef steak tartar, briny-fresh seafood platters, oysters and even some haggis featuring on the menu!
A la carte lunch and dinner
3 courses for £30 at lunch and dinner in March and April 2012
Light lunch of two courses £15.95
Two course theatre supper £15.95
OPENING TIMES
The Witchery opens seven days for lunch, dinner and theatre supper.
Lunch 12 – 4pm*
Dinner 5.30 – 11.30pm*
Pre- theatre Supper 5.30 -6.30pm*
Post-theatre Supper10.30- 11.30pm* *Last reservation taken at this time.
WINES & DRINKS
The Witchery has an acclaimed cellar of almost 800 wines including 30 Champagnes, some wonderful whiskies and a collection of 15 wines by the glass. Billcart-Salmon is our House Champagne. Skilled sommeliers will be delighted to guide you and help you choose.
PRIVATE DINING & EVENTS
Both the Witchery and Secret Garden are available for private dining and make for unique events venues on an exclusive-use basis. Other private dining options include our rooftop Tower Restaurant above the National Museum of Scotland nearby.
WEDDINGS
The Witchery makes the perfect location for a romantic Scottish wedding in a historic setting. Many of Edinburgh's most historic churches, the castle and the Edinburgh Registry Office are nearby. The Witchery's eight suites are one of Scotland's most sought-after honeymoon destinations.
SUITES AT THE WITCHERY
Their are eight unique and luxurious suites in two historic buildings all decorated in the Witchery's flamboyant and romantic trademark style.
SUITE RATES
Rate £325 - £350 per suite per night inclusive of vat, the Witchery's renowned breakfast hamper served in your suite, newspapers, mineral water and a complimentary bottle of Champagne. An a la carte breakfast menu is also available to guests in our suites each day in the Witchery subject to extra charge.
WITCHERY SUITE FACILITIES
• All suites are furnished with antiques in trademark Witchery style
• Luxurious bathrooms with roll-top baths for two
• Breakfast hamper served in your suite each day
• A la carte candlelit breakfast available in the Witchery
• 24- hour porter service
• Full housekeeping service
• Nightly turndown service
• Complimentary shoe shine
• Complimentary newspaper, daily newsletter & weather forecast
• CD player & CD library
• TV & DVD player & DVD library
• Hospitality tray and fridge in each suite
• Iron, board and trouser press
• Fridge
• Lunch available daily in Secret Garden or Witchery or nearby Tower
• Dinner available daily in Secret Garden or Witchery
• An award-winning wine cellar and knowledgeable sommeliers
• Afternoon tea available nearby at our Tower Restaurant
WITCHERY PEOPLE
James Thomson OBE
The Witchery's owner & creator
Jacquie Sutherland
Operations Manager
js@thewitchery.com
Douglas Roberts
Head Chef
dr@thewitchery.com
Steven Hall
Senior Manager
sh@thewitchery.com
Diane Mathewson
Reservations Manager
dm@thewitchery.com
Steven Thorpe
Bar Manager
st@thewitchery.com
John Power
Wine Buyer and Head Sommelier
jp@thewitchery.com
Thomas Allardice
Head of Housekeeping
ta@thewitchery.com
Mark Rowley
Press & Public Relations
mr@thewitchery.com
DIRECTIONS TO THE WITCHERY
The Witchery on Foot?
We are just below the entrance to Edinburgh castle, at the very top of the Royal Mile.
The Witchery by Taxi?
Every Edinburgh cabbie knows the Witchery well and they can drop you off at the door (or very close during the Edinburgh Military Tattoo).
The Witchery by Train?
We are a short, but very steep, uphill walk from Edinburgh’s Waverley Station via Waverley Bridge, North Bank Street and Ramsay Lane. If you’ve luggage, jump in a taxi when arriving and enjoy the walk downhill when you leave!
The Witchery by Bus?
Lothian Buses 23, 27, 41, 55 & 67 stop nearby on George IV Bridge.
The Witchery by Air?
The Witchery is about 20 minutes from Edinburgh Airport. Taxis and shuttle services are available and the fast airport-city centre bus stops on Waverley Bridge close to the rail station.
The Witchery by Car?
Edinburgh’s Old Town wasn’t built with cars in mind, so parking can be tricky. If arriving by car please drop off your luggage with us before parking.
The closest on-street metered parking is at Johnstone Terrace, just a few moments from the Witchery. The closest long term NCP car park is at Castle Terrace. EH1 2EW for sat nav.
If you are staying for a while and don’t need your car on hand, let us know and you can park for free at our five-star hotel Prestonfield which is just a taxi ride away. EH16 5UT for sat nav.
The Witchery by Ship?
If your cruise brings you to Edinburgh for the day, why not combine lunch in a landmark location at the heart of the historic Old Town with Edinburgh’s castle and some great speciality shopping right on our doorstep? We are a 15 minute taxi from Leith or around 25 minutes if berthed in South Queensferry.
AFFILLIATIONS & AWARDS
The Witchery by the Castle holds both the AA's highest rating of five yellow stars and VisitScotland's five gold stars as a restaurant with rooms. The Witchery is an AA-recommended restaurant with an AA Rosette and hold a prestigious EatScotland Silver Award. A Wine Spectator Best Award of Excellence is held for its award winning wine cellar.
The Witchery is a founder member of Luxury Edinburgh and a member of Connoisseur's Scotland.
ENVIRONMENT
The Witchery's restoration of historic buildings dating from 1595 and 1636 shows a passion for long-term conservation and giving buildings a useful and sustainable future. In 1990 the Secret Garden was awarded a Sunday Times/ Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland Regeneration Award for the sensitive creation of the Secret Garden restaurant from an abandoned schoolyard.
Throughout the Witchery you'll find that we've incorporated masses of architectural salvage and used traditional materials - oak, leather, stone, lead and slate wherever we can. Our use of antique furnishings and period textiles ion the restaurants and suites is recycling at its best.
We recycle whatever we can including paper, card, tins and plastics, hundreds of tons of glass wine bottles. We were among the first restaurants in the city to send all of our food and organic waste for composting. we are committed to the Green Tourism Business Scheme.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
The Witchery is proud to support a wide range of charitable, industry and educational initiatives both directly and via donations. We are particularly proud to support the work of The Prince's Trust in Scotland and have supported a number of the most disadvantaged young people into work and training. We are pleased that most of our guests support the work of The Prince's Trust in Scotland by donating a pound on their bill when they dine or stay with us.
