Edinburgh pubs: 12 photos of old Edinburgh pubs steeped in history where you can still go for a pint today
By Gary Flockhart
Published 22nd Sep 2023, 14:45 BST
Updated 23rd Sep 2023, 11:27 BST
Edinburgh boasts some of the oldest pubs in Scotland – and all of them are steeped in history.
These old watering holes have fascinating back stories, particularly when it comes to how they got their names and some of the famous faces who frequented them.
We’ve dug through the Edinburgh Evening News’ archives to find a dozen pictures showing some of the oldest drinking establishments in Auld Reekie – some of them dating back to the 1300s.
Take a look through our photo gallery to see 12 of Edinburgh’s oldest pubs – and let us know your own favourites in the comments section before you go.
Take a look through our photo gallery to see 12 of Edinburgh’s oldest pubs – and let us know your own favourites in the comments section before you go.
5. The King's Wark
While the building that houses the Kings Wark on Leith's Shore dates back to the 1700s. It is steeped in history and it actually sits on foundations which are significantly older and were begun by James I in 1434 to serve as a royal residence. Photo: JPIMedia
Market Street's Doric Bar is named after the ancient dialect common to the Aberdeenshire region of Scotland. There's been a pub on this site since the 17th century. Photo: JPIMedia
On the corner of the top of the Mound where the street meets the Royal Mile is Deacon Brodie's tavern, named after the crooked councillor himself. The original Brodie family lived on Brodie's Close on the opposite side of the Lawnmarket. Photo: JPIMedia
The earliest written records for supposedly haunted The White Hart Inn on this site date to 1516 and has welcomed the likes of Robert Burns, Burke and Hare and King David I. Photo: JPIMedia
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