Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland and lies on the East coast on the Firth of Forth. The second highest population in Scotland it is the largest city by area. The city is famous for its architecture and design, both the old town and the new town are World Heritage sites. It has a world famous Castle and hosts the Edinburgh Festival (and Fringe) every year.

The easiest way to get to Edinburgh is by train to Waverley station. There is also the second last station which is Haymarket. These stations are at either end of Princes Street and Haymarket is the stop for Edinburgh's West End

The Royal Mile

Take a train to Waverley station and leaving by back exit/entrance walk up any hill or steps and hill combined to reach tghe Royal Mile.

 Starting at the top and travelling down the left-hand pavement The Royal Mille then returning up the hill on the opposite side - still the left!

The Ensign Ewart, followed by The Jolly Judge, Deacon Brodies, The Albanach, then three next door to each other - The Mitre, The Royal Mile Tavern and The Whiski Bar. Then on to Number 1 High St, The Tolbooth Tavern and finally The Kilderkiln.

             First on the return journey is Canon's Gait, then The White Horse, The Worlds End, Inn on The Mile and stopping at The Royal McGregor

 Ensign Ewart is a small two roomed pub at the top of the Royal Mile. Low beamed roof and quite dark it has traditional wooden chairs and tables with settles round side. Decoration reflects battle of Waterloo time. Practically empty pub for one so close to the Castle. Code for toilet! Does food

Have one here

real ale     : Flying Scotsman; Deuchers; Black Sheep

heavy        : Belhaven Best,

lager         :Stella;  Carlsberg

 cider        : Magners                                         Guinness

 The Jolly Judge is a small pub found down a short close which opens out to the pub’s courtyard with outside seating. A few further steps down there is the entrance to a small bar. Seating to the right, servery and some tables to the left.  Low ceiling and low light gives a cellar feel to it.

CAMRA Good Beer Guide regular, including 2023, 2024, 2025

Have a pint here.

Real ale;   Galaxy burst (Alchemy)

Heavy:         Long White Cloud Pale Ale

Lager:         St Mungo;

Rosie Pig Cider; Magners                                              Guinness

Deacon Brodies Tavern (a Nicolson’s house) is an impressive corner bar looking out on The Royal Mile. There is seating to either side of the entrance and along the right hand windows. The servery is to the back left.  Food is on offer all day and there is further dining space upstairs. Nicolson’s usual style of dark wood, small tables and fancy gantry.

Have a pint here.

Real  ale;    Deuchers; Shropshire Gold (Salopian); Stewart’s 80/-;  Nilcolson’s Pale Ale;   White Witch (Moorhouses) ;  Winter Lightning

Lager:         Tennent’s;  Peroni;  Schiehallion; Stella; Carling

Cider:          Mortimer                                     Guinness

 Albanach is a small corner bar (Belhaven pub). There is seating either side of the door. There is a fire on the left wall and then the L-shaped bar comes out. Short benches and small tables along right-hand side wall. There is a large dining room through a door at the back of the bar. Outside seating.

Have a pint here.

Real  ale;   Belhaven IPA; St Andrews; Belhaven 80/- Common (Knops)

Heavy:    Belhaven Best;

Lager:     Peroni; Tennent’s; Stella; Carling

Cider     Strongbow                          Guinness

The Mitre (Nicolson’s) is an impressive bar looking out on The Royal Mile. There is seating to either side of the entrance. The bar narrows with an L-shaped servery and seating continuing down the left-hand side. At rear is a large dining area. Nicolson’s usual style of dark wood, small tables, mirrors and fancy gantry. Outside seating. Food all day.

Have a pint here.

Real  ale;   Deuchers; Stewart’s 80/-; Nilcolson’s Pale Ale;  Otter Bright; Nutty Black (Thwaites)

Lager:         Tennent’s;  Peroni; Stella; Carling

                                                Guinness

The Royal Mile Tavern has an attractive frontage.  Inside a long wooden floor leading to a bar at the back right. Tall tables to right, small tables to left.  Small seating area up a few stairs at the back of the room. Outside seating

Have a pint here.

Real  ale;   4 pumps with  Edinburgh Castle and Deuchers

Heavy:        Royal Mile Gold; Joker ; Caledonia Best

Lager:        Leffe; Innes & Gunn Lager; Tennent’s;  Estrella

Cuder: Magners                                     Guinness

Whiski Bar has small marble cafe like tables and chairs after the entrance. As tables become rectangular and brown the bar starts on the right-hand side. After the bar the room narrows a little and then opens out again with a large back room. This has around the side seating and tables. It also has a large drop-down screen for TV events. Does food all day and music every evening from 9pm.  Picture window overlooks Royal Mile. There is outside seating on the Royal Mille. As the name implies it has a proud range of whiskies with recommendations and tasting notes for beginners.

Have a pint here.

Real ale:    Deuchers;  Edinburgh Castle

Heavy:         Caledonian 80/-; Innes & Gunn Original; Caesar Augustus

Lager:         Three Hop; 1664; Innes & Gunn; Tennent’s

Rosie Cider                                          Guinness

Number 1 High Street is a small corner pub. The entrance, on the corner, brings a room with bar to left centre. Just left of entrance is a raised are with three tables. Tables and chairs are placed along the right-hand side. There is a back room of 5 tables and 2 booths. Food is served all day.

Have a pint here.

Real ale;   Odessay (fallen Brewery); No 1 High St; Deuchers;  Black IPA (Stewarts); California Common (Knops)

Heavy:    Belhaven Best;

Lager:  Tennent’s; Stella; Bud

Rosie Cider                                          Guinness

Tolbooth Tavern bills itself as an old Scottish pub. Entrance takes you to a room with the servery occupying the middle of the right-hand side. There is seating around the servery. Further on is a split-level area, for food, reached by a few stairs.

Have a pint here.

Real ale;   Deuchers; Flying Scotsman; Bitter Winter

Heavy:    Red;  McEwan’s 70/-; McEwan’s 80/-

Lager:  Three Hops; Fosters; 1664

Strongbow                          Guinness

The Kilderkin is a food serving bar. the servery is against the far wall. Booths are around the window and up the left side wall. There is a second room through to the right beside the end of the servery. This takes you to a small food serving bar and then into a bigger room with booths along the far wall and wooden tables in centre of room.

Have a pint here

real ale:  Edinburgh Castle; Holyrood (Stewart); Seventy (Edinburgh)

heavy:  Belhaven Best; Coast to Coast

Lager:   Fosters; Heineken 3 Hop;

cider:    Symonds Founders                            Murphy’s Stout

Canons’ Gait is a bright modern bar/diner. The floor, walls and tables are all light coloured. The chairs are distressed metal. The Servery is stainless steel. All of these reflect the bright lighting scheme. However, it all works well together. 4 pumps and numerous Scottish craft beers in bottle

Have a pint here.

Good Beer Guide 2013

Real ale;   American Pale Ale (Sonnets); Timorous Beastie (Stratagem) Bishops farewell (Oakham);  1759 (Stewarts)

Heavy:    Caesar Augustus

Lager:  Tennent’s;  St Mungo

Blackthorn                           Guinness

The White Horse, styled the oldest bar on the mile, has a small front room and larger back room. The servery is in the very bright and white front room. This has five small tables and stools at the small counter. Now an Oyster and seafood Bar

Have a half pint here.

Heavy:    Belhaven Best;

Lager:   Stella; West; Estrella; Carling

Symonds                                             Guinness

The Waverley

The Worlds End is a small bar, made smaller by the left hand side being for food. The right hand side has a small semi-circular servery off of the far wall. There are tables in various corners making good use of the space. Very popular bar.

Have a pint here.

Real ale;  Worlds End (Belhaven) Belhaven Black; Belhaven IPA; Odessay (fallen Brewery); No 1 High St; Deuchers;  Black IPA (Stewarts); California Common (Knops)

Heavy:    Belhaven Best;

Lager:  Tennent’s; Stella; Carling; Innes & Gunn Lager

                                                Guinness

Inn On The Mile is set in an impressive old building. A few steps takes you to a terraced entrance door. This leads to a large tall room. The servery and stools are to the left while there are tables and chairs down the right-hand side. In the centre left there are stools and a shelf style high table while centre right are booths. There are two large TV screens that are pulled down when showing sport.

Have a pint here.

Real  ale;   Deuchers; Flying Scotsman; Bitter & Twisted;        The Mile Ale

Heavy:    Caledonia Best; Innes & Gunn Original

Lager:     Tennent’s;  Estrella:; Haverlee; Schiehallion

cider:      Magners                                            Guinness

The Royal McGregor, now The Copper Still, was a small narrow bar which widens out a little. It has raised seating at the end. The servery, with stools, is on the middle right with a few tables lining the wall opposite it. There are some tall tables near the entrance. Some seating outside on Royal Mile. Restaurant downstairs

Have a pint here.

Real  ale;   Dark Island; Corncrake Ale (Orkney

Heavy:       Caledonia Best; Innes & Gunn Original

Lager:       Tennent’s;  Estrella:; Haverlee; Schiehallion

Cider:        Magners                                         Guinness