To celebrate this year’s World Book Day, on Thursday March 7, we take a look at nine Edinburgh pubs that have inspired famous authors.
5. The White Hart Inn
Where : Visit: 34 Grassmarket, EH1 2JU. About: The White Hart Inn has lots of literary connections. William and Dorothy Wordsworth stayed there while visiting Sir Walter Scott in 1803, and the infamous murderers Burke and Hare – who have inspired countless stories over the years – were regulars at the bar. Robert Burns also famously stayed at the White Hart on his last visit to Edinburgh in 1791, where he parted ways with his love, Nancy, and was inspired to write the poem Ae Fond Kiss. Photo: Third Party
6. Cafe Royal
Where: Visit: 19 West Register Street, EH2 2AA. About: The novel Complicity by Iain Banks is set in Edinburgh, with the main character (journalist Cameron Colley) frequenting many of the city’s pubs. One memorably racy scene takes place in the grand Victorian Cafe Royal pub as Colley and friends indulge in the bar’s speciality, oysters. The Cafe Royal was also another favourite watering hole for the writers who were regulars at Milne’s Bar. Photo: Third Party
7. Wilkies Bar
Where: Visit: 1-3 Henderson Street, EH6 6BT. About: A Leith pub which provided inspiration for Irvine Welsh is Wilkies Bar, which was mentioned in his novel, Filth. Welsh famously brought James McAvoy – who starred as main character, Bruce Robertson, in the film adaptation of Filth – to Wilkies Bar for a celebratory pint after the film was released. Photo: Third Party
8. The Oxford Bar
Where Visit: 8 Young Street, EH2 4JB. About: The Oxford Bar is a favourite haunt of Ian Rankin’s fictional Detective Inspector Rebus, who has appeared in 22 novels set in Edinburgh since Knots and Crosses was published in 1987. The bar has long been a favourite watering hole of the author himself, and he can regularly be found enjoying a quiet pint in the bar with other loyal customers. Photo: Third Party