As 2025 draws to a close, we’re taking a moment to reflect on a year that will long stand out in Heritage Portfolio’s story.
From prestigious sporting events and world-renowned cultural celebrations to landmark venue launches and innovative culinary collaborations, this year gave us countless opportunities to do what we love most: create exceptional experiences in extraordinary places.
Here are some of the defining moments that made 2025 one of our most memorable yet.
In 2025, we launched two new drinks collections, designed to bring creativity, craftsmanship and bold flavour to every occasion.
📖 The Cocktail Chronicles showcased a curated selection of signature cocktails, each with its own story - from the bright, playful Jester’s Joy to the aromatic Herb Garden, every serve crafted with precision and flair.
🍋 The Homemade Chapter offered freshly made lemonades and botanical infusions using seasonal ingredients. From pink lemonade with fresh rosemary to Earl Grey infused with raspberry and lemon, these drinks provided a refreshing and sophisticated alternative for events of all kinds.
Crafted by our expert mixologists, both collections were developed to elevate everything from corporate receptions and gala dinners to weddings and private celebrations.
At the Scottish Excellence Awards 2025, two members of the Heritage Portfolio team were recognised for their outstanding contributions to hospitality - a proud moment for us all.
Paul Hood: Banqueting and Events Chef of the Year - As Executive Head Chef, Paul’s creativity, consistency and deep respect for Scotland’s natural larder continued to shape our culinary identity. From Royal Garden Parties to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, his leadership and passion for seasonal, local produce set the standard for modern banqueting.
Stephen Frost: Lifetime Achievement Award - Stephen was honoured for a remarkable career spanning more than 50 years. A cornerstone of Heritage Portfolio’s culinary leadership, his influence extended far beyond the plate - mentoring future generations, championing sustainability, and delivering world-class hospitality at landmark venues across the UK.
These awards reflected not only individual achievement, but the collective spirit and excellence of our wider teams.
In 2025, we marked a significant milestone with the completion of an extensive refurbishment at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, transforming and enhancing the Garden’s event offering for the years ahead.
The refurbishment introduced a collection of thoughtfully reimagined spaces, designed to support a more flexible, immersive and sustainable approach to events. Central to this was the creation of a new Demonstration Kitchen, purpose-built to host live cooking, chef-led experiences and seasonal dining that connects guests directly with the food on their plates.
The Gateway space was refreshed to support contemporary receptions and gatherings, while the unveiling of the Arboretum added a striking new event setting to our portfolio - seamlessly blending architecture, landscape and hospitality.
This investment reflects a shared commitment to sustainability, innovation and exceptional guest experience, ensuring the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh continues to evolve as one of the UK’s most distinctive event destinations.
Summer 2025 saw Heritage Portfolio step onto a truly global platform as tournament catering provider for the Genesis Scottish Open, marking the first year of our three-year partnership with the DP World Tour.
Across tournament week, our teams delivered more than 11,000 hospitality covers, catering across a wide range of premium and operational spaces - from the Genesis Lounge and Partners Pavilion to the Players & Caddies Café, Media Centre and event team dining. Supported by over 50 chefs and managers and 120 locally recruited team members, the scale and complexity of delivery showcased our operational expertise at its very best.
In the Genesis Lounge, menus developed in collaboration with Michelin-starred chef Tom Kitchin and award-winning South Korean chef Mun Kim brought together the finest Scottish produce with bold international flavours, creating a dining experience that reflected both place and innovation.
Sustainability and community impact were central throughout the event. Working in alignment with the DP World Tour’s environmental commitments, we prioritised local sourcing and surplus redistribution - while our partnership with Social Bite enabled individuals from its Jobs First programme to take part in delivering the tournament, reinforcing our belief that world-class hospitality can also be a force for social good.
Ambitious, demanding and deeply rewarding, the Genesis Scottish Open was a defining moment of 2025 - and a powerful statement of what our teams can achieve together.
It was an honour to host guests throughout the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, delivering dining and hospitality experiences within the Royal Gallery, set against the dramatic backdrop of Edinburgh Castle.
Across the season, our teams delivered: 763 Dining Experience packages with four-course dinners and paired wines, 4,090 Reception Experience covers and 122 Afternoon Teas.
Behind the scenes, we also supported the performers with over 11,000 portions of soup, 4,200 hot meals, and more than 32,000 cups of tea and coffee.
To mark the Tattoo’s 75th Anniversary, we hosted a celebratory event in the Grand Gallery at the National Museum of Scotland, welcoming guests with sparkling wine and canapés before a seasonal three-course dinner and an unforgettable evening at the Royal Gallery.
Towards the end of 2025, we were proud to announce the extension of our long-standing partnership with The Signet Library & Colonnades for a further 12 years.
This renewed commitment reflects more than 25 years of shared success and sets the foundation for continued investment in the historic venue - including planned accessibility improvements, sustainability upgrades and enhancements designed to further elevate the guest experience.
A fitting milestone in a year defined by collaboration, growth and ambition.
Throughout 2025, we continued to grow our afternoon tea offering across Scotland and London, introducing seasonal menus that celebrated creativity, craftsmanship and a strong sense of place.
At Colonnades within The Signet Library, our evolving seasonal afternoon teas earned recognition in BBC Good Food’s guide to the best places to eat in Edinburgh, reflecting the passion and dedication of our team.
Within the Arboretum at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, we launched a Festive Afternoon Tea, drawing on botanical flavours, Scottish produce and ingredients from the Kitchen Garden.
Our menus also took inspiration from art and design, across Scotland & London. at Tatha Bar & Kitchen, our afternoon tea offering continued to evolve in response to the V&A Dundee’s exhibition programme. Inspired by Garden Futures: Designing with Nature, the Glorious Gardens Afternoon Tea drew on nature’s palette - from aromatic herbs to pomegranate and pistachio - with subtle influences from Persian flavour traditions, celebrating seasonality and design-led creativity.
At The Wallace Café & Restaurant within The Wallace Collection, London, our Grayson Perry: Delusions of Grandeur Afternoon Tea celebrated art, imagination and culinary craftsmanship. Inspired by Perry’s bold and whimsical storytelling, this limited-edition menu reimagined British afternoon tea with playful, unexpected flavours.
Alongside these standout moments, 2025 was defined by everyday excellence across our Scotland & London venues. From weddings, race days and private celebrations to bustling cafés and retail spaces, our teams continued to create warm, memorable experiences for thousands of guests.
As we look back on the year, we are immensely proud of our people. Their dedication, creativity and passion shaped every event - whether on a global stage, within iconic venues, or in the everyday moments that matter just as much.
Here’s to 2026, and to many more opportunities to celebrate food, people and unforgettable experiences.
As we step into 2026, our calendars are already filling with exciting opportunities across our venues. If you’re planning an event, celebration or corporate gathering for the year ahead, our teams would love to help bring it to life.
Explore our venues and get in touch for 2026 events at heritageportfolio.co.uk
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Learn MoreCelebrate the season with menus bursting with the fresh flavours of summer. From vibrant vegetables and fragrant herbs to freshly caught seafood, seasonal berries and exceptional meats, each dish is thoughtfully crafted to showcase the very best ingredients at their peak.
Available across our venues, discover bright, seasonal flavours, creative cooking and memorable dining experiences throughout the summer months.
