Scotland is known for its many historic pubs scattered around the country, which have served thirsty patrons for dozens upon dozens of years.
There are many that claim to be the oldest surviving public house in the country, but few have greater claim to the title than The Sheep Heid Inn in Edinburgh. Located in the historic village of Duddingston in the east of the city, the property has reputedly been an inn since 1360.
The origin of the pub's name is a point of contention, with one theory relating to Duddingston's reputation as a popular area for sheep butchers in medieval times. Livestock reared on the nearby Holyrood Park were brought to the village for slaughtering, with the heads of the sheep being one of the less popular items at the local meat markets.
Local chefs did not have the luxury of letting any part of the animal go to waste, however, and so made use of the heads in a variety of dishes, including singed sheep head and powsowdie (a broth or soup made from a sheep’s head).
While these tasty-sounding meals are no longer on the menu, The Sheep Heid Inn continues to serve up hearty dishes to this day. Among the main courses currently on offer are Smoked Haddock Florentine Fishcakes, Beef Brisket & Double Gloucester Pie, and Freshly Battered Line-caught Cod & Chips.
The other leading theory explaining the origin of The Sheep Heid Inn's name is perhaps even more interesting, and involves Mary, Queen of Scots’ son King James VI. According to legend, James had such a good time playing skittles in the inn’s courtyard that he gifted the owner an ornate snuff box made from a ram’s head.
The box was displayed proudly in the inn for around 300 years, before being sold at auction to the Earl of Roseberry by a previous landlord in need of cash. It now resides with the Earl’s descendants at Dalmeny House.
Amazingly, while this skittles alley in the courtyard no longer exists, there is another alley tucked away in the back of the building—and it is the oldest surviving alley in the country. The Sheep Heid Inn even allows guests to book out the alley for private sessions.
The king’s gift isn’t the pub’s only connection to royalty. In 2016, regulars enjoying a pint were left shocked when Queen Elizabeth II popped in for a cosy lunch following a day at the Musselburgh Racecourse.
Other famous faces said to have visited The Sheep Heid Inn over the years include Robert Louis Stevenson, Bonnie Prince Charlie and Sir Walter Scott, as well as more recent celebs such as John Barrowman and American popstar Kelly Clarkson.
More information can be found on The Sheep Heid Inn website.
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