Do you love pubs? The colorful exteriors, exteriors, and characters? A place to relax? Look no further...a new publication from Historic Scotland highlights the broad variety of listed pubs in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Pubs of Edinburgh and Glasgow is the first in a series of postcard books from Historic Scotland, and features images of some of the most iconic pubs in the country. The pubs featured were chosen because of their distinctive interiors and exteriors.
Pubs of Edinburgh and Glasgow: Kenilworth
Pubs of Edinburgh and Glasgow: Leslie Bar
Pubs of Edinburgh and Glasgow: Horseshoe Bar
Included in the book is the art deco Steps Bar in Glasgow, which retains many of its original 1930s features, and the Laurieston in Glasgow, which has a 1960s interior complete with a stand for hot pies.
Pubs of Edinburgh and Glasgow: Steps Bar
Pubs of Edinburgh and Glasgow: Laurieston Bar (above and below)
Featured Edinburgh pubs include the ornate Guildford Arms and Bennets Bar, the interior of which remains largely unchanged since 1906. All of the pubs included are in use today, showing that listed buildings are not kept in aspic, but regularly change and adapt to meet new requirements. Somehow, the customers are always the same - convivial people, gathering for community, talk, and cameraderie.
Pubs of Edinburgh and Glasgow: Guildford Arms
Pubs of Edinburgh and Glasgow: Bennets Bar (above and below)
Pubs of Edinburgh and Glasgow will initially go on sale in the shops at Edinburgh Castle and Stirling Castle, and will be available to buy from other retailers later in the year. Historic Scotland aims to make it the first in a series of postcard books for retail, and hopes to launch a new pack every year celebrating an aspect of Scotland’s designated heritage.
Pubs of Edinburgh and Glasgow: Mathers
Pubs of Edinburgh and Glasgow: Cafe Royal
Pubs of Edinburgh and Glasgow: Central Bar
Elizabeth McCrone, Head of Listing and Designed Landscapes at Historic Scotland said: “From the opulent Victorian Café Royal in Edinburgh to The Laurieston in Glasgow with its charming 1960s interior, Pubs of Edinburgh and Glasgow showcases some of the best listed pubs to be found in our two biggest cities. Some are grand and extravagant, others understated and simple. All are distinctive in their own way, and all are still enjoyed by patrons today.”
Pubs of Edinburgh and Glasgow: Scotia Bar
Interested? For now, you can find Pubs of Edinburgh and Glasgow at Edinburgh Castle and Stirling Castle, for £7.95.
Pubs of Edinburgh and Glasgow: Old Toll Bar (above and below)
Pubs of Edinburgh and Glasgow: Ryrie Bar (above and below)
Photos provided by Historic Scotland, an executive agency of the Scottish Government charged with safeguarding the nation’s historic environment. The agency is fully accountable to Scottish Ministers and through them to the Scottish Parliament. For more information visit www.historic-scotland.gov.uk
