PRESS

"The best restaurateur I know"
Clarissa Dickson Wright

"James Thomson's Witchery restaurant is as much an Edinburgh landmark as the castle next door."
Business AM

"...a reputation others would die for."
Scotland on Sunday 2003

"With a collection of renowned Edinburgh restaurants under his belt Thomson is clearly one of the biggest players on the Scottish food scene."
Scotland on Sunday, 26 September 1999

"It's so filmic and bizarre...everything about the Tower run by James Thomson is designed to impress"
Food Illustrated Magazine

"I am hooked on James Thomson's Tower at the Museum of Scotland."
Clarissa Dickson Wright

" The organisation's corporate culture is strongly influenced by the vision and values of the prorietor and is focussed on providing world-class hospitality. The Witchery and Tower has a dynamic and innovative leadership, with clear vision and challenging goals who are setting and achieving world-class standards in doing so."
LEEL on winning the Lothian Company of the Year in the Business Excellence Awards

"It is appropriate for a Museum of international standing to have a restaurant of this calibre. James Thomson has developed a worldwide reputation for providing quality food, wine and service. It was particularly his attitude to service that impressed us and his proposals were of a very high standard."
Mary Bryden, Head of Public Affairs, National Museums of Scotland, Food Service Management

"Businesses and individuals such as yourself have been at the forefront of providing the quality and service which is needed to ensure the success of tourism in Scotland. I am delighted that your commitment to the industry has been recognised."
Tom Ferguson, Chairman, Edinburgh and Lothians Tourist Board

"In the current trend for taking an established restaurateur with flair and asking him to add cuisine to culture, the Museum of Scotland... got James Thomson of the Witchery to take on it's restaurant. He has quickly made the fifth floor eatery the hottest spot in town. This restaurant will undoubtedly become a capital cornerstone."
Peter Irvine, The Sunday Times

"James Thomson, who started his business with the opening of the Witchery in 1979, now owns and manages three restaurants within Edinburgh, assisted by a staff and management team of 93 full-time employees. James invests heavily in staff training and was the first independent restaurant in Scotland to be accredited with Investors in People. His dedication to the industry is reflected in the time he gives to many organisations including the British Hospitality Association, Hospitality Industry Trust, Hospitality Host and Springboard."
Scottish Tourist Board on James award as Manager of the Year

"It is great to see a company which epitomises quality and flair receiving this accolade and to see a business involved in tourism taking the top award."
Tom Buncle, Chief Executive, Scottish Tourist Board on the Company of the Year Award

"The Witchery epitomises the standards Edinburgh should be looking to chieve. The message is that Edinburgh boasts world-class organisations. It is recognition of the fact that they have been improving over a constantly over a number of years and have now reached a very high standard indeed. And they have ambitions to go on improving - they are not standing still."
Jim Easton, Business Excellence Awards Assessor.

"Delicious food in an idyllic setting. The high spot of the Royal Mile."
Sir Cameron Mackintosh

"Racing back for more."
Jacques Villeneuve

"The dog's bollocks!!!"
Gail Porter