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Generous furniture donation from Edinburgh Marriott Hotel Holyrood

The recent redevelopment of the former Holyrood Hotel to the new Edinburgh Marriott Hotel Holyrood has resulted in the property donating more than £11,000 worth of quality furniture, from armchairs and artwork to televisions and desks to Scottish Veterans Residences (SVR).

The charity - a registered housing support service based at Whitefoord House, within the City’s UNESCO site in the Old Town - provides supported housing for former members of the UK Armed Forces and their services are available to anyone who has served in HM Forces, Reserve Forces or Merchant Marine, regardless of age or length of service, who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

The SVR team have welcomed Edinburgh Marriott Hotel Holyrood’s donation as a vital contribution to their services, and Whitefoord residents Kit Rawalai, who served with the Royal Scots, and Cat Charles, who served with the WRAC, were on hand to say thank you on behalf of the charity and celebrate the arrival of the new furniture over a cup of tea! 

Kirsty Smeaton Brown, SVR’s Residence Manager at Whitefoord House, said: “The donation is a welcome surprise and addition to the Whitefoord House site, which will enhance our communal and living areas. We are delighted to be able to make such good use of recycled high-quality furniture and our residents and staff are very grateful for this thoughtful and community-spirited donation.”

The hotel, also located in the heart of Edinburgh’s historic old town is now under new ownership and showcasing the renowned Marriott Hotel standards to their guests. The hotel’s interiors have been refurbished to the tune of £10 million and as a result, the existing furniture from the Holyrood property was recycled and donated to the Residences to support their community.

Michael Falla, general manager of Edinburgh Marriott Hotel Holyrood, said: “The relaunch of Edinburgh Marriott Hotel Holyrood marked a long and exciting development for the City and the Marriott brand. The hotel team’s hard work and commitment took the Hotel to the next stage of its journey, and we are delighted to have the opportunity to serve our local community.

“We are very proud to be able to play our part in the incredibly worthwhile mission Scottish Veterans Residences fulfil daily and the support they offer to former members of the UK Armed Forces by donating the furniture we replaced during the refurbishment.”

SVR also has Residences at Rosendael, Dundee and Bellrock Close, Glasgow.