The White Hart Inn, Edinburgh

Established in 1516, the White Hart is one of the oldest pubs in Edinburgh although much of the building above ground dates to around 1740. Previous visitors include the notorious grave robbers Burke & Hare and Robert Burns who alledgedly stayed overnight (is there a pub in Scotland that didn’t claim a visit from him at some stage). It is said that the customer base is alsoregularly joined by numerous ghosts and apperitions. The exterior has a fine carving of the pub’s namesake mounted in an impressive framework over the front entrance. Internally, the pub is a simple knocked through L-shape with fairly run of the mill décor, bare floors, beamed ceilings, standard pubby fittings, assorted pictures and a few dangly pint pots hanging from the rafters. The “effect” fire doesn’t really enhance things and there isn’t really much heritage value for a pub with such apparent history. The beer selection wasn’t too extensive with just 2 ales available, Belhaven IPA and Caledonian 80/- and a third, Herok & Howells Tantallon Sunrise IPA “available soon”. The atmosphere was quite friendly and welcoming with a chatty barman and I was soon deep in conversation with an American tourist looking for assistance over beer selections and the forthcoming “soccer” match in town. There is some seating outside on the Grassmarket where thankfully fire jugglers and street entertainers have replaced public hangings as the principal form of entertainment. The pub shouldn’t really be viewed as an essential stop but it is an adequately safe bet if passing by.