The Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh

Designed in a grand style based on European influences by architect W. Hamilton Beattie, The North British Hotel as it was originally called, opened in October 1902. Built and operated by The North British Railway company (hence the name), the hotel is situated on the eastern end of Princes Street and is the only large structure on the south side of Princes Street. With a clock tower fifty eight metres high, it was built as a substitute for the grand station building The North British Railway were never allowed to build at their Waverly Station located next door. Bizarrely, the directors at The Bank of Scotland wielded so much influence that they blocked the construction of anything that would interfere with the view from their headquarters on The Mound! So whilst other important stations around Britain got elegant edifices, Waverly always remained huddled down in the valley.
In spite of being extremely luxurious and having high numbers of guests, the hotel was so expensive to run that it didn't turn a profit until just before WW1. Direct access from Waverly Station allowed passengers to leave their trains and go straight to their accommodation. Lifts from the station took guests to a reception in the hotel's basement. Also, trainloads of coal could be delivered to fire the building's boilers which in turn provided steam to heat the NBR's sleeping carriages. The hotel kitchens prepared food for use in dining carriages too.
The North British railway became part of the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) in the grouping of railway companies that took part in 1922 to try and make Britain's railways more profitably run. Business was good for the hotel, still called The North British Hotel. It became known for celebrity guests from the worlds of politics, entertainment and even royalty.
On nationalisation (an extremely sensible move) of Britain's railways in 1947, The North British Hotel was passed to British Transport Hotels and it continued to have a symbiotic relationship with Waverly Station. Regardless of some of the grandeur fading due to tight budgets and lack of maintenance, the hotel continued to have a good reputation. Then, in 1983 British Transport Hotels sold the hotel. Links to Waverly Station were finally severed, including blocking up the direct access. Complete breakaway from its railway heritage came with the name change from 'The North British Hotel' to 'The Balmoral Hotel'. Closing for refurbishment, it re-opened only to pass through the hands of several companies due to business takeovers. Nowadays it's owned by Rocco Forte Hotels and is again the height of luxury with 188 rooms, two restaurants, two bars, a drawing room which serves afternoon tea plus conference/reception facilities. My picture shows the hotel viewed from the west, taken from Princes Street Gardens.