Edinburgh - Scotland - page 171

Port O'Leith
( www.portoleithpub.com ; 58 Constitution St) This is a good, old-fashioned, friendly local
boozer, swathed with flags and cap bands left behind by visiting sailors - Leith docks are
just down the road. Pop in for a pint and you'll probably stay until closing time.

PUB

Starbank Inn
( www.starbankinn.co.uk ; 64 Laverockbank Rd) The Starbank is an oasis of fine ales and
good, homemade food on Edinburgh's windswept waterfront. In summer there's a sunny
conservatory, and in winter a blazing fire.

PUB

TOP FIVE TRADITIONAL PUBS

Edinburgh is blessed with a large number of traditional 19th- and early-20th-century pubs, which have preserved
much of their original Victorian or Edwardian decoration and serve cask-conditioned real ales and a staggering
range of malt whiskies.

Athletic Arms Offline map Google map (Diggers; 1-3 Angle Park Tce) Nicknamed after the cemetery across
the street - the gravediggers used to nip in and slake their thirst after a hard day's interring - the Diggers dates
from the 1890s. It's still staunchly traditional - the decor has barely changed in 100 years - and has recently re-
vived its reputation as a real-ale drinker's mecca by serving locally brewed Diggers' 80-shilling ale. Packed to the
gills with football and rugby fans on match days.

Abbotsford Offline map Google map ( www.theabbotsford.com ; 3 Rose St) One of the few pubs in Rose St
that has retained its Edwardian splendour, the Abbotsford has long been a hang-out for writers, actors, journalists
and media people, and has many loyal regulars. Dating from 1902, and named after Sir Walter Scott's country
house, the pub's centrepiece is a splendid mahogany island bar. Good selection of Scottish and English real ales.

Bennet's Bar Offline map Google map (8 Leven St) Situated beside the King's Theatre, Bennet's has man-
aged to hang on to almost all of its beautiful Victorian fittings, from the leaded stained-glass windows and ornate
mirrors to the wooden gantry and the brass water taps on the bar (for your whisky - there are over 100 malts from
which to choose).

Cafe Royal Circle Bar Offline map Google map ( www.caferoyal.org.uk ; 17 West Register St) Perhaps the
classic Edinburgh bar, the Cafe Royal's main claims to fame are its magnificent oval bar and the series of Doulton
tile portraits of famous Victorian inventors. Check out the bottles on the gantry - staff line them up to look like
there's a mirror there, and many a drink-befuddled customer has been seen squinting and wondering why he can't
see his reflection.

Sheep Heid ( www.sheepheid.co.uk ; 43-45 The Causeway) Possibly the oldest inn in Edinburgh (with a licence
dating back to 1360), the Sheep Heid feels more like a country pub than an Edinburgh bar. Set in the semirural
shadow of Arthur's Seat, it's famous for its 19th-century skittles alley and the lovely little beer garden.