Our building was built in 1860, as a Town House.
Kids/ servants in the attic, everyone else in between and of course below stairs for the kitchen staff.
Somewhere between then and 1900s the building became a hotel, the Balmoral.
Across the street ar what is now The Hoxton, was the Army Recruiting Office that was the base of McCrae's regiment : Heart of Midlothian Football club signed up for active service in WW1, hence why the Memorial Clock is in view from our steps. An association we are proud to have.
Then with the Labour Government post war and the nationalization of the Coal Board etc, this then became the National Coal Board HQ , which it remained until 1961 when they moved to purpose built premises and Eliza moved in.
Having been in service from the age of 14, Eliza had vision of what she wanted for her own place.( she was once in service to the Earl of Wemyss).
Eliza was sympathetic to the original decoration, we have original cornices etc still in our rooms and *butlers' tray* spaces on the 1st floors.
Sadly she did not think in 1960s to try and install a lift, and by the time she realized the problem of not having one, it was too late : we were a listed building and we are now not allowed.
We do try and keep Eliza's ideal : our decor isn't *modern* it is in keeping with the age of the building, and as she did , all rooms are different.
We are a work in progress, Eliza once said 'It's like the Forth Bridge, start at one end, finish , then start again'
All rooms where decorated 2024/25 and our decorators are on standby to start on our third floor rooms during our 2025/26 closure.
Check in: 15:00 (3:00pm) - 23:30 (11:30pm) (no arrivals allowed outside this window)
Check out: Before 11:00 (11:00am)
