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Edinburgh's pubs: 13 of the oldest Edinburgh pubs in chronological order

Rhoda Morrison
·3-min read
The Sheep Heid Inn in Duddingston has often been named the oldest pub in Edinburgh - and one of the oldest in Scotland. It is believed that there has been a pub on the site since 1360. (Photo: Scott Louden)
The Sheep Heid Inn in Duddingston has often been named the oldest pub in Edinburgh - and one of the oldest in Scotland. It is believed that there has been a pub on the site since 1360. (Photo: Scott Louden)

Edinburgh is known around the world for its rich history, and some of its pubs have been around for hundreds of years as well. The oldest pub in the city is thought to date back to the 1300s and several of the pubs still standing have been welcoming customers for hundreds of years.

Take a look through our picture gallery to see the 13 oldest pubs in Edinburgh in chronological order.

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The Golf Tavern which is located on the edge of Bruntsfield Links has been around since 1456. The pub's website describes it as
The Golf Tavern which is located on the edge of Bruntsfield Links has been around since 1456. The pub's website describes it as "one of Scotland's oldest and finest places to eat and drink". (Photo: Google Streetview)
The Beehive Inn can trace its origins back to the 15th century when it was a coaching inn and so has a history going back hundreds of years. (Photo: Jane Barlow/ PA)
The Beehive Inn can trace its origins back to the 15th century when it was a coaching inn and so has a history going back hundreds of years. (Photo: Jane Barlow/ PA)
The White Hart is another pub which is often argued to be the oldest pub in Edinburgh. The pub is first mentioned in records in 1516 and it is believed that parts of the building - and the cellar in particular - date back to that time. (Photo: Google)
The White Hart is another pub which is often argued to be the oldest pub in Edinburgh. The pub is first mentioned in records in 1516 and it is believed that parts of the building - and the cellar in particular - date back to that time. (Photo: Google)
The Doric Bar can be found in Edinburgh's Market Street and was stood on the same site since it was built in the 17th century. It is known as Edinburgh's oldest gastro-pub after it was adapted in the 18th century. (Photo: Alistair Linford)
The Doric Bar can be found in Edinburgh's Market Street and was stood on the same site since it was built in the 17th century. It is known as Edinburgh's oldest gastro-pub after it was adapted in the 18th century. (Photo: Alistair Linford)
The White Horse dates back to 1742, making it the oldest pub on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. It sits at the top of White Horse Close, which is said to have been named after Mary Queen of Scots' favourite horse. In recent years, the pub has been transformed into an oyster and cocktail bar. (Photo: Contributed)
The White Horse dates back to 1742, making it the oldest pub on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. It sits at the top of White Horse Close, which is said to have been named after Mary Queen of Scots' favourite horse. In recent years, the pub has been transformed into an oyster and cocktail bar. (Photo: Contributed)
The King's Wark in Leith was first built in 1434 as a royal residence and private armoury for James I. It is believed to have served many purposes, including a plague hospital and weigh house, but was transformed into a pub in the 1700s. (Photo: Google)
The King's Wark in Leith was first built in 1434 as a royal residence and private armoury for James I. It is believed to have served many purposes, including a plague hospital and weigh house, but was transformed into a pub in the 1700s. (Photo: Google)
The Royal Mile pub dates back to 1806 and is named after William Brodie who inspired Robert Louis Stevenson's Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. A burglar by night, Deacon Brodie was caught and hanged for his crimes in 1788. (Photo: National World)
The Royal Mile pub dates back to 1806 and is named after William Brodie who inspired Robert Louis Stevenson's Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. A burglar by night, Deacon Brodie was caught and hanged for his crimes in 1788. (Photo: National World)
The Oxford Bar is found in Young Street and has been made famous as the pub where Rebus drinks in Ian Rankin's novels. The small pub was built in 1811 and, despite a brief spell as a sweet shop, it is hailed by CAMRA as
The Oxford Bar is found in Young Street and has been made famous as the pub where Rebus drinks in Ian Rankin's novels. The small pub was built in 1811 and, despite a brief spell as a sweet shop, it is hailed by CAMRA as "the least altered pub in Edinburgh". (Photo: Third Party)
This Royal Mile building dates back to 1591, when it was built to be the place where travellers entering the city would have paid tolls - hence the pub's name. The ground floor of the building became The Tolbooth Tavern in 1820. (Photo: Google)
This Royal Mile building dates back to 1591, when it was built to be the place where travellers entering the city would have paid tolls - hence the pub's name. The ground floor of the building became The Tolbooth Tavern in 1820. (Photo: Google)
While the Ryrie's building, which is located beside Haymarket station, dates back to 1817, it didn't become a pub until around 1842. Back then it was known as The Railway Inn, which was taken over by Alexander Ryrie in 1862. (Photo: Google)
While the Ryrie's building, which is located beside Haymarket station, dates back to 1817, it didn't become a pub until around 1842. Back then it was known as The Railway Inn, which was taken over by Alexander Ryrie in 1862. (Photo: Google)
Located in Leven Street, Bennets Bar first opened to the public in 1906. However, there are records of a pub having stood on the site since 1839. (Photo: Third Party)
Located in Leven Street, Bennets Bar first opened to the public in 1906. However, there are records of a pub having stood on the site since 1839. (Photo: Third Party)
Café Royal, in West Register Street, was built in 1862 and has been a pub since 1901. Stepping into the pub is like taking a step back in time, with a main circle bar, marble floor and Rococo-style frieze. (Photo: Third Party)
Café Royal, in West Register Street, was built in 1862 and has been a pub since 1901. Stepping into the pub is like taking a step back in time, with a main circle bar, marble floor and Rococo-style frieze. (Photo: Third Party)