The Scotsman Picturehouse
The Scotsman Picturehouse
4.5
About
The Scotsman Picturehouse, an exclusive & intimate experience which takes viewers back to a bygone era of cinematic opulence.
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Old Town
Few Edinburghers live in the Old Town, but its labyrinth of dank alleys and steep streets suggests this was not always the case. Today, it’s mostly visitors, tartan-flavored souvenir shops, and pipers that you’ll find on its cobbled streets. This is the place to get a feel for Auld Reekie (Old Smelly), as the town was once nicknamed, and stroll the Royal Mile, the thoroughfare that links the castle with the royal palace – two of Edinburgh’s great set-piece attractions. But there’s lots more exploring to do here down dozens of little alleys, or wynds, while at night the city’s busiest clubs erupt along the Cowgate which is closed to traffic for this purpose.
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See what travelers are saying
- rachelDunbar, United Kingdom41 contributionsFabulous morningFabulous morning at the Scotsman for a flick and fizz showing at the picture house. We arrived at the grand cafe and table was laid with a pastry and yogurt and berries and served with glass Prosecco, then we chose from brunch menu. I chose eggs florentine and hubby a full breakfast. It was all fresh and tasty. Teas and coffees also. We then headed down to the cinema, it was lovely. The decor was fab and plush and the cinema room was lovely and felt so luxurious. Little tables and lights. A must try is the A lister cocktail, it was like drinking marzipan!! We will return again!Thank you for sharing your experience. We hope to welcome you back again soon!Written February 15, 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited February 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten February 14, 2024
- Barbara R65 contributionsBeautiful date night 💗This place is a hidden gem in a gorgeous hotel. It feels like you stepping into the 1920s. We went to see Wicked Letters at the weekend and it was brilliant. Great atmosphere and nice staff. Only thing is they give small portions of popcorn so do eat beforehand! The popcorn was delicious and salty nevertheless (they offer sweet popcorn either). We had a nice of bottle and relaxed on the sofas. Great date night!!Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We hope to welcome you back soon!Written March 10, 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited March 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten March 6, 2024
- Rosie TScotland, United Kingdom197 contributionsA cinema experience with a differenceThis small, intimate cinema is perfect for watching a movie in luxury. Scotsman do a deal with a two course lunch, two drinks and cinema admission for £95 per couple. Would check the lunch though to make sure what you ordered is covered by deal. It wasn’t made clear to us that there was a limit though the manager did take the excess of our meal. Food was excellent. Lachlan a lovely lad who I think had suffered a stressful day. He moved us with minimum of fuss to a quieter area of restaurant. Not many people know about mysophonia.Visited April 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten April 21, 2024
- BossyLittleFlower16Scotland, United Kingdom234 contributionsLunch & a filmI loved every thing about this cinema experience. Easy online booking. Discount off lunch in the Scotsman Hotel’s Grand Cafè. Lovely wine in a chiller to take to our luxurious seats. Free ice cream was on offer for guests on a Thursday. It is a very special place. Can’t wait to return. Thank you.Visited May 2024Traveled with friendsWritten May 26, 2024
- MrslaterEdinburgh, United Kingdom328 contributionsDate NightWe’ve have used this place before for seasonal events such as Halloween and at Christmas but this time we went just because we had a free evening. A bite to eat first and then a drink pre show with a few more drinks during the show. I love the set up here. Wonderfully comfortable seating in such an intimate venue. What’s not to like. Just booked a Star Wars night and one of the live screenings of the Nutcracker ballet the week before Christmas for my wifeThanks for taking the time to leave a review!Written August 29, 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited August 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten August 25, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
78 reviews
Excellent
60
Very good
8
Average
3
Poor
3
Terrible
4
Emma-Daisy
3 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
Visited here on Saturday night with friends, thought £19 for a cinema ticket was a bit expensive but had good reviews and looked beautiful so didn’t mind as I expected we’d be paying for the first-class experience - how wrong was I. We arrived before 8, movie started at 8:15 and at 8:25 we were still standing at the bar waiting to be served. Service was absolutely shocking, so slow and it was busy so there were many people still waiting to be served behind us. Didn’t have a lot of drinks options either as they had sold out so that wasn’t great. Drinks were over priced for what we eventually got. And when we finally sat in our seats in the theatre we had missed the first 5/10 minutes of the movie. Not impressed at all and will be going to the Vue next time.
Written July 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Buffalo27
Edinburgh, UK27 contributions
Nov 2022 • Friends
We paid £35 a tickets for a Sunday ‘Fizz and Flick’ experience. Never again. Included in the price of the ticket was a light brunch, a glass of fizz and the film. We arrived at just a few minutes past 11am start time and there were no seats left for the brunch. And not much food left either. When I complained to staff they told me ‘we never have enough space or food when these events are sold out.’ As this is a pre booked event, you know how many people you’re catering for! So it seems a completely ridiculous response. When I asked to speak to the manager, I was told ‘there is no manager’.
We had an hour for brunch and a catch-up with friends pre the film starting. I spent 25 minutes of that hour standing at the bar queuing for the fizz included in the ticket. Service was incredibly slow. And… if the drink is included in the price of the ticket, why were the staff not prepared to serve the number of glasses they knew they needed. All badly organised and badly managed. It’s a real shame, as the cinema room itself is very nice and very comfortable. But we won’t be back.
We had an hour for brunch and a catch-up with friends pre the film starting. I spent 25 minutes of that hour standing at the bar queuing for the fizz included in the ticket. Service was incredibly slow. And… if the drink is included in the price of the ticket, why were the staff not prepared to serve the number of glasses they knew they needed. All badly organised and badly managed. It’s a real shame, as the cinema room itself is very nice and very comfortable. But we won’t be back.
Written November 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your feedback and we are very sorry about the experience you had with us. We have now addressed this for future Fizz N Flick events - These will be conducted in the Scotsman Grand Cafe on level 4 of the building ensuring ease of service for all attendees. We would like to make amends and improvements to our operations and invite you to e-mail us at info@scotsmanpicturehouse.co.uk where we can offer vouchers to return and see the changes we have made. Kind Regards Scotsman Picturehouse
Written November 28, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Alison M
2 contributions
Mar 2023 • Family
We visited today for Mother’s Day fizz & flick which consisted of a lovely fresh brunch served in the Grand Cafe with a glass of fizz and then we watched Mamma Mia in the beautiful Picturehouse.
The staff couldn’t have been more attentive and the whole experience was great from start to finish.
The Picturehouse is something quite special and I would highly recommend it to anyone that wants to buy a treat for someone soecial.
The staff couldn’t have been more attentive and the whole experience was great from start to finish.
The Picturehouse is something quite special and I would highly recommend it to anyone that wants to buy a treat for someone soecial.
Written March 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello Alison,
Thank you very much for the kind review, we are very glad you enjoyed our Fizz N Flick on Mother's Day.
We do have more Fizz N Flick events coming up including Calamity Jane in April as well as our Beyonce specials in May, we hope to see you again soon!
Kind Regards,
Scotsman Picturehouse
Written March 21, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Travellers2007
Edinburgh, UK528 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
Loved this place. I never knew it was underneath the Hotel. Very Art Deco small theatre with relaxing seats and even several cosy 2 seater couches at the back.
We were welcomed by a lovely chap at the bar. Ordered some nice cocktails and received popcorn which is included in the ticket price.
A very special treat.
You can either enter via the entrance at the bottom of Fleshmarket close, across from Market street entrance of Waverley Station or via the lift inside the Scotsman.
We also went for lunch in the Scotsman and got 10% off the lunch when we showed our cinema tickets.
We were welcomed by a lovely chap at the bar. Ordered some nice cocktails and received popcorn which is included in the ticket price.
A very special treat.
You can either enter via the entrance at the bottom of Fleshmarket close, across from Market street entrance of Waverley Station or via the lift inside the Scotsman.
We also went for lunch in the Scotsman and got 10% off the lunch when we showed our cinema tickets.
Written April 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
redeyeblues
Edinburgh, UK1,312 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
yes, it's pricey and the screen is not the biggest but this lux retro theater with red leather seats and velvet cushions is absolutely gorgeous and so spacious! Savoury/sweet popcorn is included in the price. Can sip cocktails during the movie, a little expensive but what a lovely treat! Last row has 3 double sofas and the rest are armchairs - don't think they recline but very roomy. Can book tickets online & enter from Fleshmarket Close by Waverly Station or go downstairs the Scotsman Hotel. Bartender/screen operator was so nice too! Thank you very much~ Wholeheartedly recommend coming here! We certainly will be back again~
Written May 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anita E
Edinburgh, UK3 contributions
Mar 2023 • Solo
This was meant to be a bit of a treat for myself but I don't think I would do it again at this venue.
Pros: The chairs are very comfortable, albeit slightly hard to get out of as you sink in so much (something to keep in mind!). There is ample space between you and the person seated next to you so you don't feel/hear/see any interruptions. The screen can be seen well from any seat.
Cons: The price, I had read previous reviews and some seemed to suggest that the steep price included a drink and some popcorn, however, that was incorrect; the price is for the ticket alone. If you did want popcorn, I believe it will set you back around £4.50 for a small box. I paid £10 for a truly abysmal cocktail that claimed to include belvedere and moet but came from a premade batch and tasted like juice. The staff member that served me was quite uninterested, it somehow felt like I was in the way, at a very empty bar (I was early); this lead to feeling a bit unwelcome and set the tone for the rest of the time there.
Pros: The chairs are very comfortable, albeit slightly hard to get out of as you sink in so much (something to keep in mind!). There is ample space between you and the person seated next to you so you don't feel/hear/see any interruptions. The screen can be seen well from any seat.
Cons: The price, I had read previous reviews and some seemed to suggest that the steep price included a drink and some popcorn, however, that was incorrect; the price is for the ticket alone. If you did want popcorn, I believe it will set you back around £4.50 for a small box. I paid £10 for a truly abysmal cocktail that claimed to include belvedere and moet but came from a premade batch and tasted like juice. The staff member that served me was quite uninterested, it somehow felt like I was in the way, at a very empty bar (I was early); this lead to feeling a bit unwelcome and set the tone for the rest of the time there.
Written March 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Anita,
I'm sorry you were left disappointed with your experience here but glad to hear you enjoyed the cinema itself. We strive for a luxury experience and want all our customers leaving happy, so If you contact info@scotsmanpicturehouse.co.uk we can discuss this further and arrange another visit.
Thanks,
The Scotsman Picturehouse
Written March 27, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Christopher Kennedy
2 contributions
Jan 2020
Beautiful Building, and equally beautiful picture-house. We stayed in the Scotsman as well. Prices are very reasonable for cinema. We got the mid-week deal, which was a free drink & popcorn of choice with your ticket. My girlfriend and I were the only ones in the cinema- we were treated like royalty! I would highly recommend especially if you feel like treating yourself to a bit of luxury.
Written January 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your lovely review, we hope to see you again soon!
Written January 26, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Compass138739
18 contributions
Feb 2022 • Couples
The picture house has a lovely atmosphere and is very comfortable. Overall it was an enjoyable experience. I agree with another reviewer - they need to review their bar offering. A decent wine list and some standard gin and tonic options (not just flavoured gins) makes so much sense, and they might get more bar sales.
Written February 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fivetabby
Aberdeen, UK90 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
We loved our visit here in February to see David Copperfield. It’s a lovely little cinema with comfy, private seating and the added bonus of a table for a cocktail or two. Scott is a credit to the place. My only gripe however is the cinema/meal deal - if I’m having an evening out I don’t want to be limited as to what I can order (I’d be happy to pay extra) - I ended up having the venison which was WAY too underdone for me, so gave it to my partner. There are other things on the menu (not included in the cinema deal) that I would rather have had. The pudding however was amazing (chocolate deluxe with marshmallow and popcorn). We’ll definitely be back.
Written May 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fiona B
Edinburgh, UK38 contributions
Dec 2022
We booked the festive movie and meal deal for the showing of Local Hero on 1st December.
After our disappointing meal experience upstairs (reviewed elsewhere) we went down to the cinema.
The couple in front of us at the cinema bar were being told there was no complimentary popcorn (specifically mentioned in the deal) and that the website obviously hadn't been updated. We didn't bother asking for ours after hearing that, and in fact overheard two other couples inside the cinema saying they had also been told there was no complimentary popcorn.
For an evening that was meant to be a bit of a treat it was anything but, and I'm really very disappointed as this had been part of my husband's birthday present. I'm afraid based on this experience we won't be coming back.
After our disappointing meal experience upstairs (reviewed elsewhere) we went down to the cinema.
The couple in front of us at the cinema bar were being told there was no complimentary popcorn (specifically mentioned in the deal) and that the website obviously hadn't been updated. We didn't bother asking for ours after hearing that, and in fact overheard two other couples inside the cinema saying they had also been told there was no complimentary popcorn.
For an evening that was meant to be a bit of a treat it was anything but, and I'm really very disappointed as this had been part of my husband's birthday present. I'm afraid based on this experience we won't be coming back.
Written December 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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