Carlton Highland Hotel, 1 North Bridge, Edinburgh

Carlton Highland Hotel, 1 North Bridge, Edinburgh

This is a long Scots Renaissance block extending around the corner to Jeffrey Street, built in two phases between 1898 and 1899. The north and centre sections were designed by William Hamilton Beattie and Andrew R Scott (1898-99), while the south section was designed by Arthur George Sydney Mitchell and George Wilson (1898). The building is treated as four distinct blocks, though unified by repeated architectural details throughout.

The main structure is principally four storeys with an attic level. The ground floor features modern shopfronts, while the upper storeys display consistent architectural treatment: first-floor canted oriels; broken segmental pediments; second-floor recessed keyblocked arched windows; third-floor regular single windows; and triangular-pedimented dormerheads containing broken segmental pediments. Copper ogee-roofed turrets with finials punctuate the roofline. The facades are finished in polished coursed cream sandstone ashlar with cill and string courses. Decorative carving throughout includes thistles, roses, shamrocks, fleur de lis, and Renaissance strapwork.

The North Bridge (west) elevation is divided into three main sections. The southern eight-bay block (Mitchell & Wilson) is symmetrical with a central entablatured entrance beneath a broken segmental-arched pediment containing a carved monogram and putto. A central two-bay wallhead gable features a triangular open broken pediment with a central niche and corniced gable stack. Flanking paired first-floor oriels have arched windows above, and a corbelled crenellated parapet with a turret rising from the third floor at the outer left. The central thirteen-bay block (Beattie & Scott) is symmetrically arranged with a central three-bay section containing a single window flanked by stone mullioned and transomed oriels with arched windows above. Flanking turrets rise from the second floor. A central heavily ornamented triangular bay rises above attic level with a central niche and flanking windows. A smaller five-bay section towards the north (Beattie & Scott) displays central first-floor oriels with a recessed bay above and a corniced gable stack, flanked by dormers and smaller timber dormers higher on the roof, with a turret rising from the second floor. The northern corner block (Beattie & Scott) presents four bays to North Bridge, with the outer bay featuring first-floor oriels and third-floor single windows beneath triangular pediments, and a turret at the corner.

The Jeffrey Street (north) elevation is asymmetrical, with an eight-storey and attic four-bay corner gable block adjoining a symmetrical four-bay gable section extending east. A canted section joins the two gables, and a curved part-cantilevered fourth-floor bay (at North Bridge ground-floor level) provides visual interest. A keyblocked carriage arch to Carrubber's Close at the outer left has an oculus above. Paired fourth-floor canted oriels enliven the east gable, while central triangular pedimented gable stacks sit between engaged turrets flanking each gable.

The rear elevations present varied treatments. The southern block is symmetrical with a central projecting square stairwell topped by a pyramidal roof and gable stack. An advanced central section features a series of advancing bays and a later brick stairwell to the north. The northern block includes a crenellated octagonal tower with a dormer in a polygonal pointed roof and decorative iron brattishing. Red bull-faced sandstone with cream ashlar margins predominates; coursed cream ashlar appears to the north.

Windows throughout are timber sash and case with plate glass; timber casements sit within arches with upper sections featuring small-pane glazing. The shops have modern plate glass. Roofs are grey slate with slated dormer cheeks. Stacks are coped with lost cans. Decorative cast iron rainwater goods complete the external detailing.

The interior has been comprehensively refurbished in modern style.