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EDINBURGH AND THE LOTHIANS - Edinburgh, New Town, HP Mathers' National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors Part Two 1 Queensferry Street, New Town, Edinburgh, EH2 4PA Tel: 0131 225 3549 Draught Beer & Cider: Real ale Public Transport: Railway Station: Haymarket; Bus: Princess Street buses Pub Food: Snacks all day (not Sundays) Listed Status: Grade B View this pub on a local map
This high-ceilinged, male-dominated, single-room pub is little changed in over 100 years. It is located on the ground floor of a five-storey red ashlar building, designed in 1900 by Sydney Mitchell & Wilson for the National Commercial Bank of Scotland (entrance on the corner of Shandwick Place) and the Caledonian United Services Club (on first and second floors). The wine merchant Hugh Mather, established the licensed premises in 1902. A ground floor refacing in 1938-40 by Tarbolton & Ochterlony added a reddish polished stone below the windows. The two deeply moulded broad arch front windows have multi beveled glass panes.
The good quality early 20th century decorative scheme by Sidney Mitchell remains largely intact. Within the vestibule entrance porch is colourful floor-to-ceiling tiling. The original ceiling-height finely carved gantry has segmental-arched pediments to side, split pediment to centre with arches mirrors (some modern) between slender Ionic columns, and glazed cabinets below. In c.1960 two small winged sections were added one at each end produced by local firm Sutherland & Denholm. Only a couple of fridges have replaced part of the lower shelving. The original panelled bar counter has a new top and at each end of it are still-working water taps - whisky is the only spirit that can benefit from a little added water. The original tiled and wood surround fireplace has a mantelpiece featuring pilasters with an oval bevelled mirror, old dado panelling remains but the fixed seating is modern.
The room has an elaborate compartmented ceiling with deeply moulded cornice and fine plaster frieze of birds and swags of fruit picked out in cream on a claret background. The walls are adorned by a number of old brewery mirrors from Campbells, Edinburgh & Leith Brewery, Mackay's, McEwans and Wm Younger. The main change has been the removal in the 1960s of a ladies' toilet with its small screen around the door that was situated in the rear right corner. High up above this area are two doors and lattice windows behind which is a large fan. Above the staircase down to the present toilets is a large water tank (panelled over) that was required to create the pressure for the Scottish system of dispensing beer. The old water engine part of the system (one of the last remaining examples) is still in situ in the cellar and staff may allow you to inspect it at quiet times.
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