The North British

Though now formally known as the Balmoral Hotel, every Edinburgher knows this as The North British (hotel). That is the name it had on opening in 1902 to the design of architect W Hamilton Beattie, until it was renamed in the 1980s.

It is a wonderful giant palace in the Scots Baronial style. The morning light shining here across the south facade shows the detailing of that facade.

It is one of the dominant buildings of central Edinburgh, towering over Waverley Station. I have always understood that its clock was kept five minutes fast, so that travellers had less chance of missing their trains from Waverley. I have often rushed though Princes Street Gardens to catch a train at Waverley, and glanced up at the NB clock, but never been quite sure if that was a myth or reality.