When you travel to a new city, a trip to the cinema probably isn’t the first thing that springs to mind. You’re usually chasing landmarks, ticking off museums, or hunting down the best local cafés. But tucked away in the heart of Edinburgh is a cinema experience that feels less like a casual night out and more like discovering a well kept secret. The Scotsman Picturehouse in Edinburgh is hidden inside the elegant The Scotsman Hotel and it is anything but your average cinema. With its red velvet armchairs, intimate screening room and almost speakeasy-like atmosphere, it offers a cosy retreat from the bustle of the city centre. You can also combine it with a brunch or afternoon tea upstairs in the elegant Grand Café. So let me share my thoughts and reviews on the experience at the Scotsman Picturehouse as I’ve now been more than a dozen times to both screenings and events in this lovely venue.
The Scotsman Picturehouse experience
If you’ve read my articles before you already might know that I really appreciate when an activity feels like an elevated experience. And that is why I really like The Scotsman Picturehouse in Edinburgh. Not only does it feel like you lose time and space as you descend within The Scotsman venue. But also like a step back in time. I do love watching films, but if they are too long I can struggle a bit with losing interest… Especially if the seat I’m in isn’t comfortable. The Scotsman Hotel is also a lovely place to stay and if you’re looking for hotels in Edinburgh, I’ve written a full guide to my top recommendations here.
My favourite thing at The Scotsman Picturehouse is to go see an old film like Breakfast at Tiffany’s. It was actually my first time ever seeing the film. Getting to do so in an old fashioned cinema like this, just felt right. So far I’ve seen Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Wes Anderson’s Asteroid City and Wuthering Heights at The Scotsman Picturehouse and looking back I must include in this review that I do prefer watching the older or quirkier movies here, more than any modern cinema.
Something I also want to include in this review is that it’s worth signing up to The Scotsman Picturehouse newsletter. Both so you know what screenings and offers are coming up, but also as they kindly send a little birthday gift (cinema ticket) so you can go along and attend a screening. I used my birthday ticket to go see Wuthering Heights which is when I took most of these photos.
♥ Looking for things to see and do in Edinburgh? Read my extensive guide here!
Why I like the Scotsman Picturehouse
- Order a little cocktail at the bar to enjoy during the film. On my latest visit I ordered an Aperol spritz and salted popcorn to enjoy during the screening and if you want more ideas for drinks in Edinburgh, here’s my cocktail bar guide.
- The show screenings of old films and it’s such a good venue for it
- The comfortable armchairs
- You can rent out the cinema and have a private screening with all your friends
What could be improved and what might be good to be aware of before your visit
- It’s quite warm inside the room with the screen so don’t wear too many layers when you visit.
- For the afternoon tea experience, it was a little uncertain when the screening would start. Even when I asked the staff they didn’t know exactly. So it would be good to have this information beforehand to properly be able to plan the visit. I finished my afternoon tea quite quickly and ended up sitting by the cinema room for almost 40 minutes before the film started. If I had known what time it started then I could’ve taken my time a bit more.
- The screen is quite small, which I personally don’t mind, but something to take into consideration when booking your seat. I would recommend sitting in front of row F.
Afternoon Tea at Cinema at The Scotsman
As part of my Scotsman Picturehouse cinema experience this time around, I had also booked in for afternoon tea beforehand so I had the opportunity to review both. For certain films at The Scotsman Picturehouse in Edinburgh there is the opportunity to book special tickets. These include either afternoon tea or brunch with your cinema experience that can be enjoy before the film. If you want to read about the best afternoon tea in Edinburgh, I’ve written a full guide to it here.
♥ I’ve also reviewed the afternoon tea at The Scotsman Hotel which you can find here.
FAQ – The Scotsman Picturehouse
The Scotsman Picturehouse prices are £16 per ticket for adults and £36 for two sofa tickets (sharing a sofa). There are also special offers for certain screenings where you get a brunch and cinema experience or afternoon tea and cinema experience for a set price.
You can order drinks and snacks at the bar before the cinema and bring it inside to enjoy during the screening.
Absolutely, you can hire the Scotsman Picturehouse space for a private event in Edinburgh, birthday, hen do, wedding or just a screening with all your friends. For a private screening it is £35 per person which includes a welcome drink and a box of popcorn for each person.
You will find the cinema inside The Scotsman Hotel in central Edinburgh, right next to the Waverley Train Station in the old town. You can either enter through the hotel or from the Fleshmarket Close.
They tend to show a mix of old classics and new release at The Scotsman Picturehouse in Edinburgh.
Need more inspiration for your trip?
- Edinburgh: A local’s guide and recommendations to things to do and see
- The best hotels in Edinburgh: 19 luxurious recommendations from a local
- Lannan Bakery: a local’s recommendations and review of the most popular bakery in Edinburgh
- Where to go for a whisky tasting in Edinburgh: Scotch whisky tours & distilleries
- The Edinburgh Fringe Festival: the world’s largest arts festival
- The best time to visit Edinburgh: A seasonal travel guide
Meet Moa, our multi-talented writer from Sweden who now calls Edinburgh, Scotland home. With over a decade exploring Europe’s hidden corners—from Nordic landscapes to alpine villages—Moa brings a unique perspective shaped by her years as a travel guide in the Swiss and Austrian Alps. As a whisky book author and freelance drinks writer, she has an eye for exceptional food and beverage experiences, while her background as a photographer ensures she never misses a scenic moment. Whether she’s discovering old European cities or chasing golden hour in mountain villages, Moa’s stories blend cultural insight with a dash of adventure and plenty of authenticity.
