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12 of the oldest Edinburgh pubs which still serve the pints, including some from the 1300s

Edinburgh Evening News
·2-min read
The Oxford Bar is housed within an original Georgian dwelling and has served as a public house for many a generation, the pub is chiefly notable for having been featured in Ian Rankin's Inspector Rebus series of novels as the inspector's favourite watering hole. (Photo: JPIMedia)
The Oxford Bar is housed within an original Georgian dwelling and has served as a public house for many a generation, the pub is chiefly notable for having been featured in Ian Rankin's Inspector Rebus series of novels as the inspector's favourite watering hole. (Photo: JPIMedia)

These longstanding boozers have fascinating back stories, particularly when it comes to how they got their names and some of the famous names who frequented them.

We’ve dug into the Evening News archives to bring you images showing a dozen of the oldest drinking establishments in Auld Reekie –some of them dating all the way back to the 1300s.

Duddingston's Sheep Heid Inn is considered to be the oldest pub in all of Scotland. There's been a drinking establishment on this site since around 1360 and has served sorts - including the Queen in early 2016. (Photo: JPIMedia)
Duddingston's Sheep Heid Inn is considered to be the oldest pub in all of Scotland. There's been a drinking establishment on this site since around 1360 and has served sorts - including the Queen in early 2016. (Photo: JPIMedia)
The White Horse has been located on the Royal Mile since the 17th century making it the oldest watering hole on the Royal Mile.These days, it is called the White Horse Oyster & Seafood Bar. (Photo: JPIMedia)
The White Horse has been located on the Royal Mile since the 17th century making it the oldest watering hole on the Royal Mile.These days, it is called the White Horse Oyster & Seafood Bar. (Photo: JPIMedia)
Just down from the White Hart in the Grassmarket is the Beehive Inn which can trace its origins back to the 15th century when a coaching inn was opened on the site. (Photo: JPIMedia)
Just down from the White Hart in the Grassmarket is the Beehive Inn which can trace its origins back to the 15th century when a coaching inn was opened on the site. (Photo: JPIMedia)
While the building that houses the Kings Wark on Leith's Shore dates back to the 1700s. It is steeped in history and it actually sits on foundations which are significantly older and were begun by James I in 1434 to serve as a royal residence. (Photo: JPIMedia)
While the building that houses the Kings Wark on Leith's Shore dates back to the 1700s. It is steeped in history and it actually sits on foundations which are significantly older and were begun by James I in 1434 to serve as a royal residence. (Photo: JPIMedia)
Market Street's Doric Bar is named after the ancient dialect common to the Aberdeenshire region of Scotland. There's been a pub on this site since the 17th century. (Photo: JPIMedia)
Market Street's Doric Bar is named after the ancient dialect common to the Aberdeenshire region of Scotland. There's been a pub on this site since the 17th century. (Photo: JPIMedia)
On the corner of the top of the Mound where the street meets the Royal Mile is Deacon Brodie's tavern, named after the crooked councillor himself. The original Brodie family lived on Brodie's Close on the opposite side of the Lawnmarket. (Photo: JPIMedia)
On the corner of the top of the Mound where the street meets the Royal Mile is Deacon Brodie's tavern, named after the crooked councillor himself. The original Brodie family lived on Brodie's Close on the opposite side of the Lawnmarket. (Photo: JPIMedia)
The earliest written records for supposedly haunted The White Hart Inn on this site date to 1516 and has welcomed the likes of Robert Burns, Burke and Hare and King David I. (Photo: JPIMedia)
The earliest written records for supposedly haunted The White Hart Inn on this site date to 1516 and has welcomed the likes of Robert Burns, Burke and Hare and King David I. (Photo: JPIMedia)
The Cafe Royal 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: JPIMedia)
The Cafe Royal 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: JPIMedia)
Ye Olde Golf Tavern, situated opposite Bruntsfield Links and has been popular with local amateur golfers since the dawn of the sport. The pub was established in 1456. (Photo: JPIMedia)
Ye Olde Golf Tavern, situated opposite Bruntsfield Links and has been popular with local amateur golfers since the dawn of the sport. The pub was established in 1456. (Photo: JPIMedia)