[hibeejim21]

Actually the Balmoral was originally called the "north british" hotel.

But its untrue to suggest the north british railway had nothing to do with the british government or that it was exclusively scottish, its entire purpose was to link with english railways at berwick/carlisle with the aid of parliament and presumably to enrich a lot of associated people and companies, who helped prevent branch lines falling to competitors like caledonian. I'd suggest Learmonth as a tory had a lot of friends in parliament and government.

That said he had a big influence on Edinburgh, particularly with its architecture and i believe he was lord provost too.