Colonnades at the Signet Library
Enlightened afternoon teas (l; £££)
Neoclassical splendour meets afternoon tea at the Signet Library: a 19th century lawyers' library turned refined retreat.
It was among these elegant Corinthian columns and intricate balustrades that inquisitive minds helped shaped the 19th century Scottish Enlightenment, and the interiors were also the work of key players at the time. These were designed by William Stark –who was famed for his asylum architecture (!) and work on Abbotsford, Sir Walter Scott's stately home – then finished by his illustrious pupil William Henry Playfair.
You couldn’t wish to sip tea or nibble on scones in a more elegant setting but the afternoon teas go well below that and are genuinely innovative and excellent. Prices match the quality, of course, but consistently rave reviews suggest most think they’re well worth it.