The Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh has announced that Ross Barr will join SCOTCH, the hotel's whisky bar, as its new manager.

Barr returns to the bar, having first joined the hotel as whisky ambassador when he was 19. Since then, Barr has built a career in whisky, having worked, among other places, at Glenkinchie Distillery and Bevvy Limited. Through the latter, a whisky app and database, Barr worked on Hirundine, a single malt Scotch whisky made in collaboration with Scottish rugby players Pierre Schoeman and Duhan van der Merwe.

Barr also co-hosts the Whisky Stories podcast with Graeme Kilgour and Angus Shepherd, in which the three discuss whiskies, distilleries, and speak to other members of the whisky industry.

Barr commented: “SCOTCH was the beginning of my whisky career and it is a privilege to return to the Balmoral for a new chapter. I’m excited to lead the brilliant team and share our love for whisky with our visitors, hosting tasting experiences and building on our events calendar.”

Launched in 2013, SCOTCH at the Balmoral offers tasting experiences and events year-round for whisky fans. It is located on Edinburgh's Princes Street, nearby fellow Scotch experience Johnnie Walker Princes Street.