Duddingston's Sheep Heid Inn is considered to be the oldest pub in all of Scotland. There's been a drinking establishment of some description on this site since around 1360. It's positively steeped in history.Duddingston's Sheep Heid Inn is considered to be the oldest pub in all of Scotland. There's been a drinking establishment of some description on this site since around 1360. It's positively steeped in history.
Duddingston's Sheep Heid Inn is considered to be the oldest pub in all of Scotland. There's been a drinking establishment of some description on this site since around 1360. It's positively steeped in history.

Edinburgh pubs: 13 of the oldest in the Capital from The Sheep Heid Inn to The Tolbooth Tavern

Edinburgh oldest pubs still going strong in the 21st century
Kevin Quinn
By Kevin Quinn
Published 6th Apr 2023, 04:45 BST

Edinburgh’s pubs have served thirsty locals and visitors for hundreds of years now, so we’ve taken a look at 13 of the oldest drinking establishments in Edinburgh.

While most of the old watering holes are in the city’s Old Town, like Deacon Brodies, The Tolbooth Tavern and The White Hart Inn, there are others dotted about the city including The Sheep Heid Inn at Duddingston, The King’s Wark in Leith and The Golf Tavern at Bruntsfield Links.

20 pictures of Tynecastle in the 1950s and 1960s

20 pictures of Tynecastle in the 1950s and 1960s

Wrapped in elaborate stonework, the Cafe Royal pub on West Register Street boasts an equally grand interior in an exuberant French style that captures the best in late 19th century pub architecture.

5. The Cafe Royal

Wrapped in elaborate stonework, the Cafe Royal pub on West Register Street boasts an equally grand interior in an exuberant French style that captures the best in late 19th century pub architecture. Photo: Lisa Ferguson

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Named after Edinburgh's most famous crooked councillor, Deacon Brodie's has been serving alcoholic beverages since 1806. The originally Brodie family lived on Brodie's Close on the opposite side of the Lawnmarket.

6. Deacon Brodies

Named after Edinburgh's most famous crooked councillor, Deacon Brodie's has been serving alcoholic beverages since 1806. The originally Brodie family lived on Brodie's Close on the opposite side of the Lawnmarket. Photo: Jane Barlow

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The Athletic Arms - aka the diggers - in Ardmillan Terrace is a famous old haunt for Hearts supporters, who swarm there before and after games at nearby Tynecastle Park. Situated in the ground floor of an 1889 five-storey tenement block, the pub was owned by the T W Innes Trust from 1899 and remained unchanged until purchased by Scottish & Newcastle in the early 1990s.

7. The Athletic Arms

The Athletic Arms - aka the diggers - in Ardmillan Terrace is a famous old haunt for Hearts supporters, who swarm there before and after games at nearby Tynecastle Park. Situated in the ground floor of an 1889 five-storey tenement block, the pub was owned by the T W Innes Trust from 1899 and remained unchanged until purchased by Scottish & Newcastle in the early 1990s. Photo: Lisa Ferguson

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While the building that houses the King's Wark dates back to the 1700s, it actually sits on foundations which are significantly older and were begun by James I in 1434 to serve as a royal residence.

8. The King's Wark

While the building that houses the King's Wark dates back to the 1700s, it actually sits on foundations which are significantly older and were begun by James I in 1434 to serve as a royal residence. Photo: Google

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