DINE AFTERNOON TEA STAY SAFETY EVENTS OFFERS GIFTS CONTACT ACCOLADES & COMMENTARY The AA 5 gold star breakfast award 2019 The AA 5 gold star rating for restaurant with rooms award 2019 The AA 5 gold star breakfast award 2018 The AA 5 gold star rating for restaurant with rooms award 2018 The AA 5 gold star breakfast award 2017 The AA 5 gold star rating for restaurant with rooms award 2017 The AA breakfast award 2016 The AA 5 Gold star rating for restaurant with rooms award 2016 5 Gold Star rating from VisitScotland for restaurant with rooms 2015 Wine Spectator Best Award of Excellence 2015 James Thomson finalist in the Scottish Business Awards 2014 The AA UK Wine Award 2013 The AA Wine Award for Scotland 2013 5 Gold Star rating from VisitScotland - their highest accolade 2014 Eat Scotland Silver Award 2013 The AA Five Yellow Stars - highly commended 2014 The AA - Where to stay and Eat on Scotland 2014 The AA recommended restaurant - One Rosette 2013 The AA - Notable Wine List Award 2012 Good Hotel Guide listing 2013-14 Sunday Times Travel Awards Best City Bolthole Wine Spectator Award of Excellence since 1995 Wine Spectator Best Award of Excellence 2013 and since 2004 Room for Romance Hotel of the Year Award for Britain’s Sexiest Suites Mr & Mrs Smith Guide to Britain’s sexiest hotels The Seven Wonders of the Hotel World, Cosmopolitan Magazine Scotland’s Most Romantic Hotel, Scotland on Sunday Scotland’s Ten Best Rooms, Sunday Times Scotland Ten Most Romantic Destinations, Men’s Health Magazine The 4th most Romantic Destination in the World, The Independent Newspaper Top Romantic Honeymoon Destination, from Wedding Magazine putting us on a par with the Ritz Macallan Taste of Scotland Restaurant of the Year Award, 2002 Sunday Times Regeneration Award for the creation of the Secret Garden Restaurant Domecq la Ina Most Civilised Dining room Award Courvoisier The Best of the Best Awards for the Witchery and Secret Garden Fromers Highly Recommended & Frommer’s Favourites Scotch Beef Club member Decanter Magazine Wine List of the Year for six consecutive years at the Witchery Luxury Edinburgh founder Member Connoisseur's Scotland member PERSONAL AWARDS OBE James Thomson was awarded an OBE for service to hospitality and Scottish Tourism in the 2005 Queen’s Birthday Honours List Restaurateur of the Year for James Thomson 2009 Chevalier de la Commanderie du Clos Montmartre & Defender of the Auld Alliance 2011 Silver Thistle The highest accolade in tourism, presented to James by the First Minister Honorary Doctorate from Napier University Asssociations of Colleges Gold Award presented to James Thomson 2009 Hospitality Industry Trust Industry Achievement Award for James Thomson 2002 Chevalier of the Order of the Tasse de Vin, for James Thomson 2001 Industry Achievement Award for James Thomson, Tourist Board Thistle Awards 1999 Spirit of Scotland Awards Glenfiddich Spirit of Scotland Awards finalist 1999 & 2003 BUSINESS AWARDS BT Vision 100 Index member of the annual index of the UK’s 100 most visionary organisations Investor in People, the Witchery was the first independent restaurant in Scotland to be accredited in 1998 Company of the Year, Lothian Business Excellence Awards 2000. The Quality Scotland Awards for Business Excellence Highly Commended, 2000 Quality Scotland, Awarded Membership of Scotland’s EFQM assessing organisation inn 2001 National Business Awards for Scotland 2000 Commended Finalist AND SOME OF WHAT THE PRESS SAY... Almost as famous as the Castle itself. Harpers & Queen Its theatrical suites are decadent hideaways that regularly feature among the great places in the world to stay. The Guardian The Witchery is right in the middle of the action, but it's so gorgeous you'll have difficulty leaving your room to go out. 'Lavish' is an understatement for the way these generously proportioned rooms are decorated with antiques, tapestries and drapes. It might be sensory overload for some people, but this is the place for those who like their beds four-poster and their baths designed for two. Observer A worldwide reputation for sensational food in the most indulgent setting. www.restaurant-guide.com Outrageously gothic, and just a broomstick hop from Edinburgh Castle, the Witchery has nine suites, and is the place to stay if your pockets are as deep as the blood-red velvet curtains on the four-posters. Organ pipes for a bed head in the Vestry, a stuffed mallard by the bath in the Inner Sanctum — this is a fabulous, shamelessly camp temple of too-muchness. It’s obvious why Jack Nicholson’s not the only celeb to make it his Edinburgh home from home. The Sunday Times Quite honestly the most spectacular restaurant in town, and like nowhere else. The food is ridiculously impressive. The Itchy Guide It is the most atmospheric place in Edinburgh for a luxurious night’s sleep. Travel Intelligence Baroque opulence. As for the food think lobster ravioli…think roast crown of squab pigeon with foie gras…think about booking in advance. Gillian Glover, The Scotsman Edinburgh’s most romantic hotel/restaurant boasts a gothic history, prestigious location and a celebrity guest list most proprietors would die for. Impressed? The Witchery will leave you spellbound. www.lovetripper.com It's not hard to see why Dannii Minogue described The Witchery as 'the perfect lust den'. The Gothic suites at this restaurant with rooms will give you a sensory overload. The Observer Top spot for a romantic dinner. The Daily Telegraph It’s hard not to be bewitched by the gothic grandeur, countless candles and theatrical dining experience of the Witchery. Virgin Hedonist’s heaven in the heart of Edinburgh. Room for Romance In this jewel box setting Lord Irvine would be green with envy. Scotland on Sunday The dog’s bollocks. Gail Hipgrave, Cosmopolitan The most exceptional and atmospheric in town. Peter Irvine, Scotland the Best Destination dining in a historic location. The AA JAMES THOMSON The best restaurateur I know. Clarissa Dickson Wright A reputation others would die for Scotland on Sunday James Thomson is Edinburgh’s star restaurateur Time Out NEWSLETTER JOIN THE THE WITCHERY MAILING LIST Our e-mail newsletter focuses on hotel events and company news as well as interesting offers and advice on things to do when visiting Edinburgh. Your Email GUEST BOOK BLOG CAREERS ACCOLADES JAMES THOMSON PRESS PRIVACY ENVIRONMENT GALLERY SITE MAP COOKIE POLICY Facebook Twitter Trip Advisor © The Witchery by the Castle. All rights reserved website designed & developed by Clockwork Marketing MENU BOOK A ROOM BOOK A TABLE