IoD Scotland Autumn 2021

Downtime / IoD membership services
St James Quarter offers a welcome
boost to Edinburgh’s retail offer
Edinburgh’s city centre may have been
devoid of shoppers for the past 18
months, nevertheless, the new addition
of the St James Quarter to the capital’s
shopping scene – and skyline – did not
go unnoticed.
The huge 850,000sq ft shopping
centre opened this summer, with many
well-known brands taking a place in
the £1bn retail development. Situated
at the end of Multrees Walk, the
doorless building provides a new luxury
destination for those wishing to return to
in-person shopping.
It is this luxury that has attracted
brands not normally seen in Scotland
into the fold. The Scottish-first brands
include & Other Stories, The Kooples,
Stradivarius, Bershka, and Pull&Bear, and
extend to more than just fashion.
Family shopping trips will now take
on a new level of significance with
Edinburgh’s first Lego Store, while other
highlights include housing Europe’s
biggest Zara store and much-loved
Edinburgh names such as Bross Bagels.
Finally, you may not even dare to
imagine Christmas at a new venture like
this, but soon to be launched Harrods
Beauty should provide a high-end
answer for those last-minute gifts on
your way home for when we do go back
to the office.
More high-end retail for Edinburgh,
including some Scottish firsts such
as & Other Stories and Stradivarius
Hydrow: the up and coming
way to exercise
Luxury and peace
on beautiful Skye
Scotland’s beauty has been in high
demand this summer as international
travel remained untenable for some
under the government restrictions. As
many return to work, well-known beauty
spots present an opportunity for a
peaceful weekend away. One of these
places includes Skye.
After a recent refurbishment, ‘The
Three Chimneys and The House Over-
By’ hotel and restaurant reopened its
doors this summer. The whitewashed
stone building sits within the vast rugged
coastline of Dunvegan on the Isle of
Skye. Based on an original croft house,
the hotel and renowned restaurant offers
luxury and a unique escape from any of
the busyness of city life. With only six
suites, it proves a relaxed, cosy stay with
the chance to take in dramatic sea views.
Room prices start from around
£350 per night, so unlike Scotland’s
unpredictable weather, a stay at this
northern retreat guarantees you
stunning scenery, a few days of secluded
tranquillity and the chance to dine on
some brilliant food.
Feel your Peloton is so passé? We have
an exciting new brand for you: Hydrow.
This exciting new brand produces
rowing machines to a similar technical
spec of the aforementioned Peloton,
with classes and activities offering
another way to exercise from home.
The machine is billed as an engaging
way to work out with its interactive live
sessions making it feel more inclusive
and, in theory, more likely for you to
stick it out.
In terms of exercise, this piece of kit
will give you your daily dose of cardio
and by providing movement to much
of the body without the impact of a
treadmill it can also be used without
putting a strain on joints.
The company’s rapid growth since its
founding in 2017 has led to the brand
seeing revenues increase 600 per cent
every year. The alluring fitness benefits
and strong financial performance have
You can see what all the fuss is about at https://hydrow.com
created quite a buzz for the brand, and
its founder, Bruce Smith, a former elite
US rowing coach.
The machines are priced at over
£2,000, with monthly subscription to
training plans, videos and interactive
features adding £38 a month.
The main thing is; if you are looking to
start an exercise routine that will stand
the test of time, this is one to consider.
08 iod.com
Autumn 2021