The new store is Barrhead’s fifth in the Edinburgh area and its 76th to date throughout the UK, with another two stores expected to open this year.

Fort Kinnaird features in-store laptops and iPads, as well as virtual reality headsets, to help customers explore their holiday vision.

“We’re delighted to hit the ground running in 2019 with our continued commitment to expansion both in terms of branches and technology,” said Barrhead president Jacqueline Dobson.

“More than 80% of holidaymakers start their journey online and so to reflect a true 360 customer experience we are strengthening our focus on digitisation with our latest branch in Fort Kinnaird being a prime example of this.”

Michelle Thomson, assistant manager of Barrhead’s Gyle branch, steps up to the role of store manager Fort Kinnaird, heading up a team of 12.

The store is designed to provide the tools for customers to research their trip, get inspiration and then progress to sitting down with one of the team, which also features cruise, long-haul and foreign exchange experts.