Edinburgh's leading independent restaurants, bars and hotels are, however, determined to weather the storm and have made plans for 2021 and a survival package called Taste Edinburgh has been launched. It is backed by Michelin-star chefs, Tom Kitchin and Martin Wishart.

James Thomson from Prestonfield House Hotel and The Witchery, Carina Contini from Contini George Street, The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant at The Scottish National Gallery and Cannonball Restaurant on Castlehill, as well as Nic Wood from The Signature Group, which includes Cold Town House in The Grassmarket and Kyloe Restaurant & Grill in the West End are also involved.

The Broughton and Fhior on Broughton Street, 21212 on Royal Terrace, Timberyard on Lady Lawson Street and Civerinos on Hunter Square and Forrest Road plus the floating hotel Fingal in Leith also feature.

Vouchers as a gift

They are encouraging people to give the gift of authentic Scottish hospitality this Christmas and support the capital's well-loved independent and family-run restaurants, bars and hotels when they need it most.

The online gift vouchers for favourite Edinburgh haunts is considered an ideal gift for family and friends to use as soon as lockdown measures have been eased.

Celebrity chef, Tom Kitchin, owner of Edinburgh's The Kitchin and Scran & Scallie, said: "Supporting Scottish hospitality has never been as important as it is this year.

"Buying a hospitality gift voucher is a contribution which makes a difference to not only a restaurant and its team but to the whole supply chain of fishmongers, butchers, veg growers, florists, taxi drivers and so many others. Helping your local hospitality business means supporting many people and their livelihoods. Any contribution is welcome and appreciated.''

Martin Wishart said: "After 21 years of cooking and offering a Michelin experience to Edinburgh and all its visitors, I have certainly missed in 2020: the buzz and community feel a restaurant has. Please support your restaurants.

Carina Contini said: "2020 was the year we weren't allowed to enjoy restaurants. In 2021 we need to fall in love with dining out again. Restaurants provide confident spaces with beautiful food (and they do the dishes) for you to relax and meet friends and family that we've missed so very much all year.

Support local business

"Gifting a voucher for a restaurant is like giving a hug to your community. The restaurant, the suppliers and their team will all be so grateful for your purchase. The dining experience will feel like the best treat ever. A voucher is a wonderful purchase for our independent restaurant community. We so very much appreciate all your support you have given us in a very difficult year and look forward to sharing happy times ahead. Keep well and keep safe, Carina."

James Thomson said: "As we build up to what is going to be a very different Christmas, it has never been more important to make sure we're supporting our local businesses.

"Whilst we're hugely grateful for the support we've received from customers to date, this campaign has been set up to highlight the local and independent venues in the capital that need a little extra boost to get through what is going to be a very difficult winter for many.

"Whilst we may not be able to gather in the same way with friends and family in our hospitality venues at the moment, we can all look forward to spending much happier times together in the future once restrictions permit.

Taste Edinburgh campaign

"In anticipation of this, give the gift of a truly memorable experience with great Scottish hospitality this Christmas and purchase a gift voucher from an independent business. It is the easiest way to support your favourite bar, restaurant, café and hotel and allows the recipient with something to really look forward to once this is all over."

The full list of participating Edinburgh chefs and restaurateurs is Tom Kitchin, The Kitchin & Scran & Scallie, Martin Wishart, Restaurant Martin Wishart, Carina Contini, Contini Restaurants, James Thomson, The Witchery and Prestonfield House Hotel, Nic Wood, Signature Pub Group, Stefano Pieraccini, The Broughton & The Westroom, Scott Smith, Fhior, Michele Civiera, Civerinos, Mark Alston, Fingal, Katie O'Brien, 21212 and Andrew Radford, Timberyard.

Gift vouchers can be purchased through each venue's website or through the Taste Edinburgh campaign page: https://tastecommunications.co.uk/taste-edinburgh Terms and conditions depend on the venue. Please check before purchasing.

Christmas dinner and Hogmanay home deliveries are also being offered by Contini Restaurants, Signature Group's McLaren's on the Corner and Kyloe, 21212, and Tom Kitchin's Scran and Scallie.nter main text of your feature here...

Useful links

​www.edinburgh.org