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James Thomson is Edinburgh’s star restaurateur. - Time Out

The best restaurateur I know! - Clarissa Dickson Wright

. . . a reputation others would die for. - Scotland on Sunday 2003

It's so filmic and bizarre...everything ... run by James Thomson is designed to impress - Food Illustrated Magazine

James Thomson, Scotland’s best-known restaurateur, celebrates the 30th Anniversary of his first restaurant, the renowned the Witchery by the Castle this year. Now Scotland’s most famous restaurant and a favourite haunt for celebrities visiting Edinburgh, as well as its fiercely loyal local clientele, the Witchery by the Castle has been joined by a growing collection of distinctive hotel and restaurant properties including the rooftop Tower, opulent Rhubarb and his startlingly decadent five star hotel, Prestonfield. All share the Thomson hallmarks of magical experiences – created with passion and delivered with style!

The restaurant he founded in a historic but near-derelict basement in the Castlehill was a huge boost to a neglected area. The Witchery has since seen prestigious neighbours including the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh International Festival and the Edinburgh Military Tattoo establish their headquarters there in a now vibrant and historic district. Established with a staff of just three, now a team of over 250 work with him across his collection and his first year’s turnover is achieved each day.

James was born and educated in Edinburgh, attending George Heriot’s school. It was here it Heriot’s magical seventeenth-century surroundings that James saw and grew to love the historic Old Town of Edinburgh, from which the core of his business would grow. Daydreaming at Heriot’s gave James a prime view of one of the derelict sixteenth century tenements that he would later restore and transform into one of the world’s most distinctive restaurants.

His unique concept of creating magical dining experiences within unique and atmospheric settings was popular and soon the Witchery’s following was such that guests were frequently turned away. In 1989 demand was so great that James commissioned a new restaurant on the site of a derelict playground adjacent to the Witchery. The Secret Garden that resulted was innovative in its use of salvaged architectural material, winning a Sunday Times regeneration Award within months of opening and soon became as popular as the Witchery.

Demand for the Witchery’s unique style led to the creation of a growing series of uniquely sumptuous suites in the historic buildings above and adjacent to the Witchery. These allow guests to revel in true Witchery style for longer – surrounded by opulent textiles, masses of antiques and stunningly theatrical décor. Regularly booked-up by guests months in advance, they have become probably the most photographed rooms in the UK and are the regular Edinburgh base for an A-list celebrity following.

Sites that appeal to Thomson’s unique style are rare – even rarer in a modern building, but in 1998 Thomson saw an opportunity in the landmark new Museum of Scotland then under construction nearby. Entirely contemporary, but reflecting the Old Town that James loved, Thomson’s ambition aim was to create a world-class destination restaurant high above the museum. The Tower - Edinburgh’s first and finest rooftop restaurant, remains a first in restaurant terms too, being the only destination restaurant operating daily within a museum of gallery in the UK.

Opened on St Andrew’s Day 1998 the Tower has gathered awards, accolades and fans in large numbers ever since. Entirely contemporary in style but glamorous, chic and oozing luxury, the Tower has become a favourite of politicians, celebrities, visitors and locals alike, quickly becoming another Edinburgh’s must see – regarded as much for the famed food, wine and service as for the awesome Castle view!

In 2003 an exceptionally rare opportunity presented itself to Thomson, when the then owners of Prestonfield House approached him. He had worked there as a student waiter when at college in the 1970’s and had been entranced by this stunning and historic A-listed mansion in Edinburgh ever since. Then a dowdy, faded and rarely visited hotel, Prestonfield had never been on the open market since it was built in 1687 and was too good an opportunity to miss!

As the owner of another truly unique property, Thomson set about a detailed and lavish multi-million restoration that would see Prestonfield become “the antidote to the bland uniformity of hotels” and a unique new luxury destination hotel for Scotland. Located within the hotel was also Rhubarb, his latest destination restaurant and the most opulent to date!

Prestonfield was astounding. Bold, colourful, opulent and dramatic it astounded the press and critics following its high-profile opening with a star-studded dinner for the entire cast of the MTV Music Awards in November 2004. Hip-hop style and rock star chic met in the most dramatic of settings that sent critic’s searching for superlatives. For Time Out it was “beyond compare”, Tatler saw “Divine decadence” and “Triple A-rated spoil me factor” whilst Conde Nast Traveller suggesting it was “So extravagant it’s like walking onto the set of some flamboyant costume drama”. Edinburgh’s most indulgent retreat had arrived! Five stars, a clutch of awards and a crowd of A-list celebrity admirers quickly followed, with Prestonfield becoming Scotland’s most talked about hotel!

Despite the demands of a growing collection of distinctive and successful businesses in Scotland, James remains an enthusiastic ambassador for Scotland, Edinburgh and the wider tourism and hospitality industries where he is actively involved in a range of quality improvement and charitable initiatives. His passion and drive for quality and innovation saw his become the first independent restaurants in Scotland to be accredited as Investors in People as well as Company of the Year in addition to a raft of other awards. Passionate about delivering exceptional experiences to visitors to Scotland, he has endowed the James Thomson Award for Excellence in Customer Service, which is presented annually to hospitality students at Edinburgh’s Telford College.

Currently celebrating his 30th Anniversary at the Witchery, James has been recognised as one of the UK’s leading restaurateurs with his Restaurateur of the Year award in 2009. At Prestonfield his aim of creating an antidote to the bland uniformity of hotels has been surpassed and the hotel is the only one in the city to have the AA’s supreme accolade of 5 red stars, a distinction it shares with Gleneagles and a handful of hotels.  His collection of restaurants have developed a worldwide reputation as exceptional places to visit. Whilst Thomson can be seen daily at Prestonfield adding many of the personal touches that make his hotel so exceptional, his daily tours include visits to the rooftop Tower and to his spiritual home, the Witchery, where he is restoring a historic rooftop apartment.

More detailed information of James Thomson and his collection is available in JAMES THOMSON…IN FULL

For images or opportunities to interview James Thomson please contact the Witchery, Tower and Prestonfield’s PR Manager Mark Rowley mr@thewitchery.com or 0131 225 0976