As Edinburgh’s oldest pub, having first opened its doors as far back as 1360, Duddingston’s Sheep Heid Inn has a true country pub feel despite being just a few minutes’ drive from the centre of town.
The Sheep Heid Inn is now a beautifully restored village pub & restaurant in Duddingston. A firm favourite among past monarchs and poets, Edinburgh’s oldest surviving watering hole exudes charm and character from every nook and cranny. Soak it all up over a plate of seasonal food and a glass of what you fancy.
Inside the bar’s main area, the decor is understated and modern, with muted tones and soft interiors giving the feel of an upmarket gastropub. Unfortunately, the food tells a different story; from a rather uninspired menu, deep-fried brie arrives cold in the centre, and a steak ordered rare comes out black.
Though the ambience is pleasant, and the location very scenic, much of the original character of this quaint village pub seems to have been lost somewhere along the line. Fortunately Scotland’s oldest surviving skittles alley, located in a back room, remains intact and is a great feature of this historic pub.
Website: www.thesheepheidedinburgh.co.uk/
Place Categories: Pubs Nightlife and Restaurants.
Edinburgh LETS (Local Exchange Trading Scheme) - Site Admin, December 23, 2014 2:10 pm business - Sheep Heid Inn, Duddingston
5/5
I give this place 5 stars simply because it’s atmosphere of a bygone age is practically unique: it’s like stepping into a Robert Louis Stevenson novel. Indoors, it’s poky, but clean, cosy and comfortable, with a scattering of regulars around the bar, looking as if they haven’t left since your previous visit. I agree the food is pretty average, but then again with more focused management, this place would lose the charm of it’s sleepy antiquity. It’s the sort of place to pop into on a cold Sunday afternoon to have hot chocolate by the fire, or quaff a cooling draft in the beer garden on a sunny weekend. I rather love it..