Halfway House, Edinburgh

A cosy tiny bar halfway down one of the Closes between the Royal Mile and entrance to Waverley Station. The landlord/barman is one of those miserable people who can't help portraying a feel that he doesn't want to be serving you, though he did seem to be trying and I can't even put it down to him being a dour Scot as he appeared to be English! Despite that the pub is a little gem, especially if you get a seat, there is a train theme to the art work suggesting its closeness to the station, its just a lovely little snuggly feel of Edinburgh. Good beer choice and quality.

A small and cosy pub, situated halfway up a flight of steps (a close) between Waverley Station and the Royal Mile. The inside is very compact, L-shaped with a few small round tables, a short bar area and a food servery. Decor is mainly railway themed with photos of old engines, framed tickets and timetables, ticket machines, train lamps etc. The beers and food menu are listed outside on two chalkboards either side of the entrance, beerwise there are four on handpump from generally smaller independent Scottish brewers. I had the Kelburn Tartan Army, which I understand to be an occasional and seasonal brew, the occasional being when the Scottish football team are playing as they were on Saturday against the Czech Republic. A pleasant straw coloured beer it was at 4.3%. A fair old selection of single malts were on sale too. There is a TV in this pub but the football was being covered by Freeview radio which kept the place convivial and civilised, whereas some other bars we passed were rather boisterous. We didn't eat but the food was keenly priced and leaned towards traditional Scottish fare like Cullen Skink, Stovies, Neeps and Tatties as well as regular pub staples. The barman and a few punters stood at the bar were very friendly and helpful, I was offered a taster of all four beers while I dithered making my choice. Highly recommended.