The Witchery by the Castle, a renowned restaurant in Edinburgh, was established in 1979 by James Thomson, a young and ambitious entrepreneur. James had developed a keen interest in hospitality and history, so when the opportunity arose to purchase a neglected 16th-century merchant’s house on Castlehill beside Edinburgh Castle, James, who was just 20 years old at the time, took a massive risk and a giant leap of faith and bought the premises.
The Witchery name comes from the area’s historic links to the Edinburgh witch trials, with accused witches burned at the stake on Castlehill. The name also encapsulated the idea of combining ingredients to create something magical and a unique dining and hospitality experience in a venue steeped in history. The interior has remained largely untouched; besides some modern touches, the original building’s gothic inspired interior and exterior are like stepping back in time to Edinburgh in the 16th century.
From the offset, James set out to create a restaurant that showcased only the finest regional and seasonal ingredients, including fresh game and seafood, with menus and cuisine that have continued to evolve over the decades. The quality of the kitchen also crosses over to the front-of-house team, who provide guests with the finest Scottish hospitality backed up by the highest standards of service.
The Witchery has continued to evolve with the addition of a second restaurant sympathetically constructed behind the original restaurant and luxury accommodation in the form of several suites, which merge the building’s original history with modern luxury.
To celebrate The Witchery’s 45th anniversary in 2024, The Witchery partnered with the Leith based Lind & Lime Gin Distillery to create a bespoke Scottish Gin. The Witchery London Dry Gin is bottled at 45% ABV to mark the venue’s 45 years of delivering outstanding culinary excellence and service that has come to define The Witchery’s reputation as one of the UK’s most unique, iconic and admired dining and hospitality experiences.
The Witchery London Dry Gin features a range of botanicals chosen because they are evocative of The Witchery with its aromas of spices, florals, and oak. Some of the botanicals include lavender, nettles, smoked black cardamom, and other traditional gin botanicals, including angelica root, juniper, and lemon peel. On the nose, rich spices and floral notes. On the palate, rich and resinous piney juniper is balanced with rich earthy spices, florals and citrus. On the finish, warming floral spices develop into a crisp, drying finish.
Key Botanical(s): Lavender, Nettles, Smoked Black Cardamom
Gin Style: London Dry Scottish Gin
Strength: 45% ABV
Goes great with: A twist of orange peel, tonic and ice.
Learn more about The Witchery by visiting the links below.