Historic pubs of Edinburgh

Eight rooms with centuries in the walls and locals still at the bar.

Bookmarks

1. The Sheep Heid Inn

   5/5

   A pour since 1360, they claim; the skittle alley out back settles arguments.

   The Sheep Heid Inn, Edinburgh

2. Café Royal

   5/5

   Victorian island bar, Doulton tile murals, oysters — barely touched since 1863.

   Café Royal, Edinburgh

3. Sandy Bell’s

   5/5

   The folk-session room: fiddles most nights, no one minds if you just listen.

   Sandy Bell’s, Edinburgh

4. The Oxford Bar

   4/5

   Small, plain, talkative — Rankin put Rebus here because it was already true.

   The Oxford Bar, Edinburgh

5. Bennets Bar

   4/5

   Mirrors, mahogany and stained glass beside the King’s Theatre since 1839.

   Bennets Bar, Edinburgh

6. The Canny Man’s

   4/5

   A cluttered, family-run warren from 1871, house rules included.

   The Canny Man’s, Edinburgh

7. The Last Drop

   3/5

   Grassmarket survivor; the name nods to the square’s darker centuries.

   The Last Drop, Edinburgh

8. Deacon Brodie’s Tavern

   3/5

   Named for the double-living deacon behind Jekyll and Hyde; touristy, still worth one.

   Deacon Brodie’s Tavern, Edinburgh