The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) reckons that a lot of pubs in the UK are so historic that their cultural worthiness is equal to that of any statue or tourist attraction. And who are we to argue?
Now, CAMRA has included some of them in their list of Scotland’s 120 best 'True Heritage Pubs’.
Take a look through our photo gallery to see 14 of the Edinburgh pubs listed in the CAMRA guide – and find out why they were included.
9. Canny Man’s - 237 Morningside Road EH10 4QU
CAMRA says: Officially the Volunteer Arms, the pub was built as a two-storey private house of local grey stone, and it is still in the same family ownership since becoming a pub in 1879. The main bar at the front of the building has an old bar counter and back gantry. Photo: Third Party
10. Café Royal - West Register Street EH2 2AA
CAMRA says: Built in 1862 and a pub since 1901, the main Circle Bar has a white marble floor, panelled dado, foliate Rococo-style frieze and delightful compartmented ceiling. Photo: Third Party
11. HP Mathers - 1 Queensferry Street EH2 4PA
CAMRA says: This high-ceilinged, male-dominated, single-room pub is little changed in over 100 years. It is located on the ground floor of a five-storey red ashlar building, designed in 1900 by Sydney Mitchell & Wilson for the National Commercial Bank of Scotland and the Caledonian United Services Club. Photo: Third Party
12. The Sheep Heid
CAMRA says: Mid 19th-century village inn with three dimly lit rooms that is popular with diners.The small panelled bar is just as it was, with an Edwardian semi-circular bar counter with four pilasters and two water taps, and the 100-year-old back gantry is topped off with two mirrors declaring ‘Younger of Alloa the Best Beer Around’ Photo: Third Party