Back to: West End . Lothian Road, Tollcross . Gorgie

Haymarket, Roseburn, Corstorphine

Haymarket has always managed to understate its wide complex junction dominated by the Heart of Midlothian war memorial. The busy Haymarket Station serves lines to the West, North and English west coast destinations - listen out for the wonderful station announcer - "First class carriages will stop at the third daffodil". We include Morrison Street, now becoming livelier and livelier, which runs up to the Edinburgh International Conference Centre and on to Lothian Road.

Roseburn sits between the huge mansions of Murrayfield and Murrayfield Stadium. The street names reflect its long history - for example Coltbridge. It is said that the Coltbridge Lancers led the longest charge in military history. When Bonnie Prince Charlie appeared in the west, they are said to have charged east, not stopping till they reached Prestonpans!

Corstorphine, the home of Edinburgh Zoo, lies to the west and so posh is the connotation of its name that everyone from Murrayfield to Gogar says they live there. It is in fact an ancient village with relics and buildings dating back 600 years at least. Its ancient church in Kirk Loan is worth a visit as is the Corstorphine Trust. There has been a pub in the village since the 1500s.

Caledonian Ale House
1 Haymarket Terrace
EH12 0131 337 1006
Had a couple of changes of personality. Originally had the cosy feel of a Victorian station buffet (it is next to Haymarket Station). Keeps the theme but went to loud music, then to quieter music. Real ales, good food, nice tables. Excellent fare in the restaurant upstairs that used to host jazz.

Carters Bar - Now Ossians
185 Morrison St
EH3 8DZ 0131 623 7023
Cosy wee place with real ales and largely local custom. Comfy and chatty. I once left books there and came back two days later to find them safe and being read by customers. Recently spruced up and name changed but losy none of its charm. (August 2003).

Carrickknowe Inn
73, Saughton Rd North
EH12 7JB

The Centurion
243, St. Johns Rd
EH12 7XD
0131 334 7687

Clermiston Inn
Rannoch Rd
EH4 7EG
0131 339 5621

The Corstorphine Inn
17, Corstorphine High St
EH12 7SU 0131 334 1019
A village inn in the city with real ales, good food and a skittles alley (not 10 pin bowls). Real village feel and there has been a hostelry on this site since the 1500's at least. A bit more successful that the 1700's speculator who built a hotel or hydro just along the road to capitalise on the local spa. He diverted the burn to erect the building and turned the spa to mud. (Gosh that was interesting).

Cuba Norte (website)
192 Morrison Street
Cuban designer bar with imaginative decor and smashing furniture.

Dianas Pool Hall and Bar
Morrison Street/ Torphichen Place
Exactly what it says it is and run by mine host Diana. Keg beer, pool tables, loud music, mostly young regular clientele but there are a range of ages. Once got a very poor write up in a student review, but Diana's is good at what it does - if you don't want that, you don't go there.

Festival Ale House
18 Morrison St
EH3 8BJ 0131 229 3303
Lively place with a range of good beers. Serves food.

Grouchos Bar
8, Torphichen Place
EH3 8DU 0131 624 3702
Torphichen Place is a funny place. Dixon of Dock Green cum Hill Street Blues red sandstone police station, a pool hall, massage parlour and escort agency all share this short street with Grouchos. Must visit it.

Haymarket Bar
11-14a, West Maitland St
EH12 5DS 0131 229 5647
Large bar with central island bar. Serves food. Big TV and live music from time to time. Though big, there are wee nooks and crannies to have a chat.

Hampton Hotel
14, Corstorphine Road
EH12 0131 337 1130
We don't usually include hotels but this is as close as you get on this stretch to a pub. Prices are pub prices, good slection of beers and Caledonian cask ales and it seems a regular and local custom. Thoughtful decor with an Edwardian front room feel with stunning cornice, tapestry seats and a huge bay window - just the place for a quiet wee rendezvous. (August 2003).

The Mercat
28, West Maitland St
EH12 5DX
0131 225 3861

The Oak Inn
108, St. Johns Rd
EH12 8AX 0131 334 4957
Beautiful traditional frontage with a big tree and tables outside. Has a village pub look in the middle of Corstorphine's busy St Johns Road shopping are. Been around for a long time and gone through a number of different identities. Serves food, some cask beers, noisy music in lounge.

Ossians (was Carters)
185 Morrison St
EH3 8DZ 0131 623 7023
Cosy wee place with real ales and largely local custom. Comfy and chatty. I once left books there and came back two days later to find them safe and being read by customers. Recently spruced up and name changed but losy none of its charm. (August 2003).

The Rainbow Inn
1 Craigmount View
Edinburgh EH12 8HG 0131 317 1354

Roseburn Bar
1-5 Roseburn Terrace
EH12 0131 337 1067
Traditional Edinburgh pub on a corner site near Murrayfield stadium. Spacious with high ceiling, and lots of room at the bar. A well run and organised pub that looks after its beer and is always a pleasure to visit. Very busy on rugby days and when Hearts are at home. TVs.

Ryries Bar
Haymarket Terrace
EH12 5EZ 0131 337 7582
19th century traditional pub next to Haymarket station. Picture of the pub in years gone by with stern faced, aproned staff adorn the wall. The aprons are still often worn. Long bar, traditional gantry and footrail make it look like Ryries has never changed since it was built. Real ales, food served. Smashing place that has not been gentrified.

The Spiders Web
256-260, Morrison St
EH3 8DT
0131 228 1949

Thomsons Bar
182-184 Morrison Street
Looks like same folk as the Bow Bar. Real ales, good pies. Reincarnated from a horseshoe bar with karaoke, to a more open long bar layout and absolutely no karaoke.

Wheatsheaf Inn
207-209, Balgreen Rd
EH11 2RZ 0131 346 9801
Two floors in this Tudor revival looking roadhouse not far from Murrayfield. Well presented exterior with seating outside and very welcoming. Big inside on two floors. Serves food.

Winston's
20 Kirk Loan
EH12 7HD 0131 539 7077
Tiny bar with an odd history. About 20 years ago it was a launderette. It changed almost overnight to a pub with the same staff as the launderette. For weeks folk were coming home late with dirty washing, much the worse for wear. A small community oriented pub in the heart of Corstorphine, next to the historic Kirk.