All aboard! Here’s a hotel with a difference – Fingal started life in 1963 as a lighthouse tender that battled the storm-lashed seas to take supplies to remote lighthouses. Today, it’s a gorgeous boutique hotel with 23 luxurious cabins, permanently berthed in Leith’s Alexandra Dock. The transformation has been immaculate, the attention to detail evident in every polished contour and curve. For cocktails and supper, The Lighthouse Bar is glamorous yet relaxed, with floor-to-ceiling windows, granite bar, shimmering ceiling, the softest leather seats and an excellent seasonal menu that includes salmon smoked on board. Head out on deck for romantic drinks, stargazing or to catch the sunset. Retiring to your welcoming and romantic cabin is a treat in itself, each with original portholes, angles and tilts that are cleverly incorporated into a contemporary design. King- sized beds are dressed in fine linen and there’s a host of pampering extras. For exclusive parties, Fingal even has an elegant ballroom, seating 60.
As Fingal has been developed by The Royal Yacht Britannia, enjoy a visit to The Royal Yacht herself, a short walk away. Her Majesty The Queen’s former floating palace for over 40 years, discover the inner-workings of the ship, from the elegant State Apartments to the gleaming Engine Room. See where Prince William and Prince Harry spent their summer holidays, and Royal honeymoons were celebrated. Discover where kings and queens, world leaders and celebrities were wined and dined; from Frank Sinatra and Liz Taylor to Nelson Mandela and Sir Winston Churchill.
Leith is a prime location for enjoying some of the best food in Edinburgh, including a number of acclaimed restaurants. Try the Michelin starred The Kitchin, where Tom Kitchin uses the finest French cooking techniques to transform the best Scottish produce. Alternatively, try Restaurant Martin Wishart, another Michelin star restaurant offering modern French dishes which celebrate classic combinations.
Leith is home to a number of artisan and renowned Scottish brands. Just steps from Fingal is the studio of Araminta Campbell, the young weaver who designed and crafted the textiles on board. The studio upholds Scottish textile traditions while creating modern designs. Kestin Hare’s nautical-inspired flagship store also overlooks the water in Leith. Two floors of menswear brands showcase product designed to stand the test of time and reference Scottish heritage.
Nota Bene
In its former life as a Northern Lighthouse Board ship, the NLB’s Patron, HRH The Princess Royal, had her own quarters.
