Reserve Travel Ltd.Discover a local's favourite, The Sheep Heid Inn, Edinburgh The Sheep Heid Inn's origins date back to 1360. Since then, famous visitors have included Mary, Queen of Scots, who reportedly stopped off there while travelling between her palace at Holyrood and Craigmillar Castle (on the outskirts of modern Edinburgh). Nowadays the pub offers a relaxing experience to visitors, with seasonal and classic pub dishes on the menu, and is one of the most unique places to eat and drink in the city. Historical visitors at The Sheep Heid Inn Mary's son, the future James I of England, is said to have been another regular at the place. Legend has it he was fond of playing skittles in the yard. Maybe he wasn't one of the country's greatest monarchs, but you can't fault the guy for his taste in pubs! Many today share the king's fondness for this old-fashioned game. The skittles alley is still very much in operation today and is great fun for a group of family or friends. It's perhaps not something you expect to see in a pub, but provides many hours of entertainment to customers throughout the year! Exploring Duddingston nearby Just a stone's throw away from the pub is the 12th-century church of Duddingston, which is worth exploring if you have time. Visitors can arrange a guided tour of the church by request. There's a picturesque pond just opposite, Duddingston Loch, with wonderful views. This is the pond where Raeburn painted his famous skating minister picture, an iconic Edinburgh scene depicting Reverend Robert Walker, and today the Loch home to a wide variety of bird life. Raeburn's painting is now on display at the Scottish National Gallery on the Mound, where you can explore the history of Scottish and international art. If you are in Edinburgh in January the gallery is well worth a visit when watercolours by Turner, an English Romantic artist, are on show. Take a walk around Arthurs Seat The Sheep Heid Inn makes a good stop after a day spent exploring the windswept volcanic outcrops of neighbouring Arthur's Seat. Arthur's Seat, situated in Holyrood Park, is 251 metres above sea level and offers spectacular views of the city of Edinburgh. Continue your historical exploration of the Scottish capital by visiting St Anthony's Chapel, a 15th-century medieval chapel. Visit the Sheep Heid Inn Is there anything more delicious than food and drink consumed after being outdoors all day? Visiting the Sheep Heid can feel like a day out in the countryside yet the pub is only a few minutes from central Edinburgh by car. The Sheep Heid Inn is hidden behind the hilliness of Arthur's Seat and is one of the most special pubs in the city. The pub also accommodates events, so get in touch with their team if you are celebrating a special anniversary or birthday during your stay with us.

Sheep Heid Inn

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Pubs are a central part of Scottish social life and no more so than the Sheep Heid Inn, in Edinburgh.

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The Sheep Heid Inn in Edinburgh is Scotland's oldest surviving pub. When you consider how many people rave about the place, it's not surprising it has notched up more than 600 years in business.

Skittles alley at The Sheep Heid Inn - Skittles alley at The Sheep Heid Inn, Edinburgh (© Edwardx on Wikipedia)
Skittles alley at The Sheep Heid Inn, Edinburgh
© Edwardx on Wikipedia
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The Sheep Heid Inn makes a good stop after a day spent exploring the windswept volcanic outcrops of neighbouring Arthur's Seat.


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Discover a local's favourite, The Sheep Heid Inn, Edinburgh

 

The Sheep Heid Inn's origins date back to 1360.

 

Since then, famous visitors have included Mary, Queen of Scots, who reportedly stopped off there while travelling between her palace at Holyrood and Craigmillar Castle (on the outskirts of modern Edinburgh).

 

Nowadays the pub offers a relaxing experience to visitors, with seasonal and classic pub dishes on the menu, and is one of the most unique places to eat and drink in the city.

 

Historical visitors at The Sheep Heid Inn 

 

Mary's son, the future James I of England, is said to have been another regular at the place. 

 

Legend has it he was fond of playing skittles in the yard. 

 

Maybe he wasn't one of the country's greatest monarchs, but you can't fault the guy for his taste in pubs!

 

Many today share the king's fondness for this old-fashioned game. 

 

The skittles alley is still very much in operation today and is great fun for a group of family or friends.

 

It's perhaps not something you expect to see in a pub, but provides many hours of entertainment to customers throughout the year!

 

Exploring Duddingston nearby

 

Just a stone's throw away from the pub is the 12th-century church of Duddingston, which is worth exploring if you have time. 

 

Visitors can arrange a guided tour of the church by request.

 

There's a picturesque pond just opposite, Duddingston Loch, with wonderful views.

 

This is the pond where Raeburn painted his famous skating minister picture, an iconic Edinburgh scene depicting Reverend Robert Walker, and today the Loch home to a wide variety of bird life.

 

Raeburn's painting is now on display at the Scottish National Gallery on the Mound, where you can explore the history of Scottish and international art.

 

If you are in Edinburgh in January the gallery is well worth a visit when watercolours by Turner, an English Romantic artist, are on show.

 

Take a walk around Arthurs Seat

 

The Sheep Heid Inn makes a good stop after a day spent exploring the windswept volcanic outcrops of neighbouring Arthur's Seat. 

 

Arthur's Seat, situated in Holyrood Park, is 251 metres above sea level and offers spectacular views of the city of Edinburgh. 

 

Continue your historical exploration of the Scottish capital by visiting St Anthony's Chapel, a 15th-century medieval chapel.

 

Visit the Sheep Heid Inn

 

Is there anything more delicious than food and drink consumed after being outdoors all day?

 

Visiting the Sheep Heid can feel like a day out in the countryside yet the pub is only a few minutes from central Edinburgh by car.

 

The Sheep Heid Inn is hidden behind the hilliness of Arthur's Seat and is one of the most special pubs in the city

 

The pub also accommodates events, so get in touch with their team if you are celebrating a special anniversary or birthday during your stay with us.

 

Visit The Sheep Heid Inn in Edinburgh

Sometimes The Sheep Heid Inn feels more like a piece of magic that belongs to the pages of a Harry Potter novel. Book a self-catering break with Reserve Apartments and visit for yourself.

The Sheep Heid, 43-45 The Causeway, Duddingston, Edinburgh, EH15 3QA, tel: 0131 661 7974

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By booking through the Reserve Apartments website you can enjoy exclusive benefits such as:

  • Flexible Check In and Out
  • Best Rate Guaranteed For Reserve Collection Properties
  • Free Wifi

 

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