Opened in 1902 as the North British Hotel, the Balmoral hotel is one of Edinburgh's most famous landmarks. It was originally a railway hotel and at 1 Princes Street it still towers over Waverley station. Its name and ownership changed after a refurbishment in the 1980s, but the clock is still always set a few minutes fast so that travellers don't miss their trains (except for at New Year when it is set accurately!)Interesting fact: Edinburgh author J K Rowling finished the last Harry Potter book at this hotel. Rowling left a signed statement written on a marble bust in her room saying; "JK Rowling finished writing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in this room (552) on 11th Jan 2007".
4 comments:
This building really says Edinburgh to me. I guess because I always arrive at Waverley so I can't miss it!
That's a hotel? Wow. I thought it was a castle. I love the tidbits you included about this — the clock and J K Rowling. Cool!
Don't forget to register for the January theme day! And the February 2009 theme poll is up! Please vote if you haven't already :)
I had thought it was the Scotsman she'd finished the book in, but you are correct. Nice photo of a great building. :-)
Didn't Russian president Gorbachov stay here once?
Post a Comment