James Thomson is Edinburgh’s star restaurateur. Time Out

James Thomson established the Witchery by the Castle in a near-derelict Old Town basement in Edinburgh’s historic Castlehill in 1979. Widely recognised as Scotland’s best-known restaurant, the Witchery celebrates its 30th anniversary on Halloween 2009.

His Witchery by the Castle soon became Edinburgh’s best-known restaurant and developed a worldwide reputation for providing a magical dining experience in the most atmospheric of settings. Always a favourite haunt of celebrities and visitors to the city, the Witchery is highly regarded by its fiercely loyal clientele and regularly features as a must visit destination in the national and international media.

As Scotland’s youngest licensee, when James established the Witchery it was with a staff of just three, now a team of over 200 work with him in his collection of venues and his first year’s turnover is now achieved each day!

With a growing collection of successful businesses in Scotland James is an enthusiastic ambassador for Scotland and the tourism and hospitality industries. He is actively involved in a range of quality improvement and a number of charitable initiatives. His passion and drive for quality and innovation saw his become the first independent restaurants in Scotland to be accredited as Investors in People as well as becoming Company of the Year in addition to a growing raft of other awards.

James’ unique collection has grown over recent years to include his famous Witchery suites; Scotland’s first and finest rooftop restaurant, the Tower; his decadently opulent destination restaurant Rhubarb, and his much talked-about latest acquisition Prestonfield – Edinburgh’s most indulgent retreat and Scotland’s latest five-star hotel.

Despite this dramatic growth, James regard’s the Witchery and Castlehill as his spiritual home the Witchery provides an atmospheric and energising base for Thomson to run a dynamic business from and he is currently restoring a spectacular rooftop apartment in his historic sixteenth-century building there.

For further information on James Thomson, the Witchery by the Castle and his unique collection.

For images or opportunities to interview James Thomson please contact the Witchery’s PR Manager Mark Rowley mr@thewitchery.com or 0131 662 2315