A Look Inside The Clermiston Inn Beer Garden On Day One

The gates to the Clermiston Inn beer garden swung open at three in the afternoon yesterday to welcome eager locals in for a pint or two.

Young regulars revelling in their to the beer garden

Those aged 18-70+ socially distanced from one another as best they could as the garden returned to life after 107 days of no pubs.

There was a jovial atmosphere as friends and neighbours rejoiced at being able to bask in the on-off sunshine with a G and T or Vitamin T.

Davey McKinnie, one of many regulars who returned today, said: “Missed the social aspect of the pub a lot. I have had a pint down in Corstorphine but this is my first Belhaven Best since being back. Did not plan with everyone to meet up but we knew that we would see each other here.

Clermiston Inn making the most of their outdoor space

“Two good mates of mine were lost during Covid. Got a call from one of the boys to tell me that Jimmy Taylor had died?

“Did not even know he was ill. Jimmy and James both died of Covid out of here but I have also lost a colleague who passed away from cancer. For some they had been in the hospital for two weeks

James Guthrie, 21, was another regular revelling in a cold pint, he said: “Me and my pals drank here every weekend and also for the Champions League games. We have been meeting up at a social distance on fields and that but you cannot beat the pub.

“First time we have been able to meet up properly though. Was normally only groups of three of us.

Mr McKinney enjoying his first pint of Best in months

“As soon as I woke up this morning the pub was on my mind. I was up here for one. I even had three bottles across the road just to warm me up.

“That first sip was bloody brilliant. Cannot beat it.”

George and Sharon, they said: “Been counting down to this day for weeks. We have missed the live music a lot and having the lounge to bring the kids in. We have definitely missed the people.”

Sharon has COPD and was only able to see her grandkids recently after being on the shielding list.

Both of them were amongst the many others who missed the music events - many had noted the absence of the northern soul night in their life.