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Edinburgh’s architecture and geography has made the Scottish capital an attractive shooting destination for filmmakers. Many movies have been filmed in and around our Unique Venues of Edinburgh, and here are just some of them.
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Marvel Studio’s blockbuster Avengers: Infinity War was filmed in multiple locations throughout Edinburgh, including Cockburn Street, Waverley Station and St Giles’ Cathedral. A fight scene was shot on the Royal Mile, close to our venues: The Real Mary King’s Close; The Signet Library; and The Hub.
(Euan Cherry, WENN.com)
Trainspotting (1996)/T2 Trainspotting (2017)
Trainspotting follows heroin addict Mark Renton (Ewan McGregor) and his friends, set in and around Edinburgh. Famous for its Princes Street chase scene, director Danny Boyle features a shot of UVE member, Edinburgh Castle, later in the film. 2017’s T2 features Edinburgh Airport, Parliament Square, the Forth Road Bridge and the Scottish Parliament.
(Bfi.org.uk)
Chariots of Fire (1981)
Chariots of Fire includes a training scene in Inverleith Park, located just behind our Royal Botanic Garden venue. The British classic follows an English Jew and devout Scottish Christian, competing in the 1924 Olympics.
(Variety.com)
One Day (2011)
Starring Anne Hathaway, One Day is a British-American romantic drama. Parts set and filmed in Edinburgh include Parliament Square, Calton Hill, Arthur’s Seat and Victoria Street, near The Hub.
(whatculture.com)
Cloud Atlas (2012)
Cloud Atlas was filmed near our Scotch Whisky Experience venue, on Victoria Street. The movie, which stars Tom Hanks, Halle Berry and Hugh Grant, explores how the actions of individual lives impact one another in the past, present and future. Other locations include the Scott Monument and City Chambers.
(Scotsman.com)
Filth (2013)
Comedy-drama Filth features James McAvoy as a scheming policeman. Filth opens at the entrance to Edinburgh Castle, and also features scenes on Victoria Street and The Grassmarket.
(movieloci.com)
The Illusionist (2010)
Oscar-nominated Sylvain Chomet’s 2010 animated film The Illusionist depicts 1950s Edinburgh, with views of Edinburgh Castle and Arthur’s Seat. The director set up an animation studio in Edinburgh, after attending the International Film Festival.
(smallearthvintage.blogspot.com)
For those of you who have been planning your Father’s Day surprise for months, we applaud you and this guide is probably not for you. But if you’re like most people who have left their Father’s Day festivities to the last minute, then we might be able to help – this is our last minute Father’s Day gift guide.
Whisky Dad
We are in Scotland after all! And while Mums are suckers for flowers and chocolates, you can never go wrong with a fine dram for Dad. If you want to make the experience even more special, you can spend some quality time with Dad at the Queen Street Father’s Day Tasting hosted by the Scotch Malt Whisky Society.
But if you can’t make it there this weekend, its nae bother! You can buy a voucher from The Scotch Whisky Experience to present to Dad on Father’s Day and go on a whisky tasting tour when it suits you.
Personalised Dad
Credit: www.notonthehighstreet.com
Because who doesn’t love something with their name on it? You still have a week and Amazon is great for next day delivery. So go on! Get Dad those personalised golf socks he’s always wanted. Or better yet, get him an engraved whisky glass to go with the bottle you surprise him with.
There are so many options for personalised gifts. From engraved hammers to frames and keychains, socks and t-shirts to glasses and storage boxes, the opportunities are endless.
Techie Dad
If your dad is a bit of techie, then you can’t go wrong with the latest gadgets. If he doesn’t already have a voice activated assistant, this is a must – and be sure to enjoy the first few months of hearing Dad yell ‘Alexa’ every five minutes!
If an Echo is a bit out of your price range, then check out John Lewis or Waterstones where they have an amazing range of the latest and greatest gadgets at various price points to get any techie Dad excited.
Outdoor Dad
For those of you with an active Dad who can’t get enough of the outdoors, there’s plenty for you to choose from too. Introduce Dad to an activity band or change his running forever with wireless Bluetooth headphones – trust us, he’ll definitely thank you later.
Or head over to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh for Dads Rock Father’s Day and enjoy a fun (free!) afternoon exploring the gardens and getting involved in the creative activities.
If Dad’s into sports, try and find tickets to watch one of his favourite teams play. Remember your Father’s Day gift doesn’t have to take place on the actual day – and he might even enjoy having something to look forward to with you later in the year.
Foodie Dad
It’s well known that the way to man’s heart is through his stomach, so if all else fails this Father’s Day take him out for dinner or lunch. Make sure you leave Mum at home, so Dad can enjoy all the food he wants without Mum casting that disapproving look – every Mum has one!
Edinburgh has some fantastic places to eat, but you can never go wrong with the tried and trusted steak and pint. Try Chophouse for something fancy, or if that’s a bit too fancy we’re sure Dad will appreciate McKirdy’s Steakhouse on Morrison Street – it’s owned by three award winning butchers.
Whatever you choose to spoil Dad with this Father’s Day, the most important gift is spending quality time with him. Nothing shows Dad how much you appreciate him and everything he does for you, more than an afternoon of father/son or father/daughter fun.
This blog contribution comes from Edinburgh’s Scotch Malt Whisky Society, celebrating the month of St Valentines Day. While we know how easy it is to fall for the delights of the Society’s single cask, the SMWS also knows the role whisky can play in sparking romance.
Take the story of Paul Kosmetatos and Simona Foscarin for example, who first met as researchers at the University of Cambridge’s Whisky Appreciation Society in 2013. Simona was a founding member and became the Society’s social secretary. Paul was a long-time whisky enthusiast keen to expand his knowledge beyond the widely available blends and bourbons he was familiar with.
“While the Society was serious about learning about whisky, it was also a vibrant social club that brought together a regular crowd who were friends as well as whisky enthusiasts. It was usual practice that after the formal nosing and tasting was over that the remaining whisky supplied a de facto ‘bar’ for the ticket holders,” says Paul.
Whisky brought Paul and Simona together, and in 2016 they moved to Edinburgh, where the SMWS quickly became the focus for their shared passion.
“One of the first things we wanted to do was to find a whisky tasting society to continue our exploration,” says Simona. “We discovered the SMWS and now regularly visit the Members’ Rooms at The Vaults and especially 28 Queen Street. We love the Society’s unique expressions of whisky but we also enjoy the setting, which for us is both a location for a bar, a club and an excellent restaurant.”
When Paul and Simona decided to get married in August last year, they held their ceremony and wedding lunch in the Dining Room at 28 Queen Street – surrounded by friends, family – and the Society’s green bottles.
“Whisky played an integral role in the celebration,” says Simona. “The cake had whisky in it, and together with the usual champagne toast that newlyweds have, we also drank from miniatures with Society whisky.”
For those of you looking ahead to Valentine’s Day, the last word has to go to Paul.
“Whisky is a romantic drink, and not just because of our experience and our mutual love of it,” he says. “Whisky tasting is by definition sensuous – it engages smell, taste and vision. It’s also social – people experience these senses differently and share them with each other.”
And who knows where that might lead…
It’s not only whisky that the Society provides as the basis for romance…our Members’ Rooms are also the perfect setting for a declaration of love. At The Vaults on Hogmanay, SMWS member Steve Dick took the plunge and proposed to fiancée Jo just after midnight. She celebrated with prosecco – while he picked out a Society dram from distillery 39.
Each month, the Unique Venues of Edinburgh Spotlight section introduces a member of staff from one of the many fantastic venues across the city. This month the spotlight is on Elaine, Head of Sales and Marketing at the National Museum of Scotland Hospitality and Events. She has worked for the Museum now for more than 7 years and has a wealth of experience selling events in luxury venues.
She understands the fine balance required in planning successful events with her clients in a unique venue, which is first and foremost a visitor attraction. We asked Elaine to describe working in such a vibrant and interesting venue: “We are proud to offer such a unique and special venue for events and it is fabulous to be able to work with our clients to transform the Museum, a true national treasure, into a stunning evening venue”.
To find out more information about events at the National Museum of Scotland, please visit the website or get in touch with the hospitality team via email or call on 0131 247 4113
This is an Ask the Expert blog with Dynamic Earth’s Event Coordinator, Clare Bolt.
Edinburgh’s iconic Christmas Party venue, Dynamic Earth, has appointed Claire Bolt as their 2017 Christmas Coordinator. Claire brings a wealth of experience to the role, with specific expertise in client account management and events, with previous employers including Scoot and Flow Hospitality Training. We decided to ask this festive expert what was on her wishlist for a perfect Christmas:
- Favourite Christmas song? Has to be Fairy Tale of New York!
- Christmas Cake or Mince Pie? Picking the icing of Christmas cake. I’m not a fan of fruit cake!
- Favourite Christmas Film? Elf. I love to snuggle on the sofa with my two children and watch it with a mulled wine in hand.
- Best Christmas night out? I came to Dynamic Earth for Christmas night out with my previous work colleagues about four years ago and absolutely loved it! It’s a great night out for all members of the team – there’s something for everyone.
- Who would you like to meet under the mistletoe? Santa of course!
For 10 special evenings in December, as night falls, Dynamic Earth is transformed into a glamorous and visually stunning party venue. Groups of all sizes will experience a festive spectacular with first class catering, friendly service and a vibrant attitude. Dinner is served on the main Stratosphere area where this year’s theme, the ‘Aurora Borealis’ will be brought to life.
For more information please get in touch with Claire via email or give her a call on 0131 523 1292
Meet Anthony Delcros from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. It’s no surprise that he’s pursued a life in the hospitality industry after being raised in his parents’ restaurant on the west coast of Ireland. Now he’s busy creating a selection of whisky-inspired cocktails at the Society’s Kaleidoscope Whisky Bar at 28 Queen Street.
After studying catering in the south of France Anthony worked in the bar industry, before landing his dream job in Edinburgh with The Scotch Malt Whisky Society. Anthony says that there’s so much variety in the society’s single cask whiskies and flavour profiles that when creating a cocktail list for the Kaleidoscope Bar, he was surrounded by inspiration. The ever changing selection of bottlings means he is always thinking about ways to create intriguing cocktails with a whisky twist.
Why not pop into the Kaleidoscope Whisky Bar at 28 Queen Street, EH2 1JX, Edinburgh.
For more information please visit the Society’s website or call on 0131 555 2266