Scotland’s capital has no shortage of pubs and bars, both old and new, catering to a wide variety of tastes – from the elegance of George Street to the warmth and old-world charm of the Old Town. But now consumers are being urged to take a walk down memory lane on a pub trail that’s bursting with intriguing stories of Edinburgh’s past.
Waiting to be discovered within Edinburgh’s 101 Objects is a list of the city’s most interesting objects housed in seven of its best watering holes. From Scotland’s oldest pub to the world’s largest Scotch whisky collection, enjoy your favourite tipple with friends in the trail of The Pubs of Edinburgh’s Past.
The Oxford Bar, 8 Young Street, EH2 4JB
If you’re a fan of the Inspector Rebus novels, you’ll be familiar with The Oxford Bar. The sign outside is Object 100, while the bar inside is the perfect place to begin this whistle-stop pub tour into Edinburgh’s story. The pub isn’t just a favourite of Rebus – it’s also a favourite of author Ian Rankin. Have a drink here and you’ll be joining the ranks of Edinburgh’s literary history.
Café Royal, 18 West Register Street, EH2 2AA
Tucked behind the bustle of Princes Street’s east end you’ll discover the beautifully ornate Café Royal. Here, nine Victorian framed tile panels adorning the walls make up Object 66, each painted with the images of various famous inventors. The panels are one of the few remaining traces of the Grand World Expo, held during the golden era of the British Empire in the summer of 1886 on The Meadows in Edinburgh. Part of a display of Royal Doulton, they line the walls of one of Edinburgh’s finest Victorian pubs.
The Conan Doyle, 71 Picardy Place, EH1 3JD
While not exactly inside a pub, Object 36 – the statue of Sherlock Holmes – has stood proudly opposite the pub named after the fictional detective’s creator. The pub is famous for being close to the birthplace of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who rubbed shoulders with other famous Edinburgh authors James Barrie and Robert Louis Stevenson. The statue of Holmes commemorates the birthplace of Doyle and the impact he had on the world. It is currently in storage while works are completed on Leith Street – but the pub itself is still more than worth a visit.
The Scotch Whisky Experience, 354 Castle Hill, Royal Mile, EH1 2NE
Catch a bus or hop in a taxi to the Old Town and make a visit to the Scotch Whisky Experience to look at Object 62. Usher’s Green Stripe was the first blended Scotch whisky which guaranteed consistent flavours from batch to batch. This started the rise of blended Scotch’s popularity around the world. The bottles on display at the Scotch Whisky Experience are part of the world’s largest collection of Scotch.
Sandy Bell’s, 25 Forrest Road, EH1 2QH
Heading south of the Royal Mile towards The Meadows is Sandy Bell’s. Here, you’ll find Object 40, a bust of author Hamish Henderson sculpted using the pages from one of his books by artist Jan Miller, against which rests a bottle of Lagavulin (Hamish’s favourite). Known as one of the fathers of the Scottish folk revival, creating and inspiring others to produce great works, Hamish frequently gathered folk musicians and poets together in Sandy Bell’s, creating its reputation as one of the capital’s folk music bars.
The Royal Dick, 1 Summerhall, EH9 1PL
If you count yourself a gin connoisseur, Object 67 is for you. The Royal Dick bar in Summerhall is home to a very special tap that spouts Pickering’s Gin on draught, piped directly through from the distillery next door. Gin has long been enjoyed in the city, so much so that the 1751 Gin Act was enacted to tax the spirit and curb the effects of its rather widespread popularity.
The Sheep Heid Inn, 43-45 The Causeway, EH15 3QA
Established in 1360, making 2017 its 657th year of serving food and drink, The Sheep Heid Inn is Scotland’s oldest public house and has seen numerous visits from Scottish and British monarchs through the centuries – including the Queen who has been known to pop in with her corgis for a G&T when staying at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. The pub is also home to Object 64, a Victorian skittle alley built in 1882.
Discover all of Edinburgh’s 101 Objects at www.edinburgh.org/101. The fascinating project is a city-wide visitor experience that sees the capital’s historic past brought to new life. Through the objects that helped shape the city’s history, heritage, culture and everyday life, Edinburgh’s 101 Objects tells the tales of the city through the years in the first attraction of its kind.
Running until April 2018, the campaign forms part of Scotland’s Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology, made possible by a city collaboration on an unprecedented scale. Developed by Edinburgh Tourism Action Group (ETAG), Marketing Edinburgh and Edinburgh World Heritage, the 101 Objects have been sorted into six themes: Building A City; Arts & Performance; Books, Words & Ideas; City of Innovation; Everyday Living; Faith & Nation; and On the Dark Side.