Last day in Edinburgh and it was a fine evening, so we decided to spend a few hours walking the length of Rose Street, take some
photos, and then head back down George Street to catch a bus back to Granton where we were staying.
Rose Street – A colourful walking street and home to many pubs and shops as well as service entrances to some of the larger stores such as Jenners.
Wetherspoons – The Standing Order. Neo Classic in design this
former Union Bank building is now home to what is probably
the best value pub in the area. We took the Rose Street entrance,
but you can also access from George Street. As you can see from
the photos,it’s popular and also has a great atmosphere – lots to see
and a great buzz about the place.
The Kenilworth – A lovely Victorian pub with everything you would expect from this iconic Rose Street attraction – full of history and fine detail.
The Black Cat – we didn’t go in but it looks cosy and intimate.
Auld Hundred – one of Rose Streets earliest pubs from 1800. A
former mission hall, the name comes from the tune to the 23rd psalm.
This used to home to the brewery that produced Auld Reekie Ale for which the pub and restaurant is famous for.
Rose and Crown – Another Rose Street pub and restaurant with good reviews.
Dirty Dicks. Being a staunch Guinness fan I’d give my left arm for this tremendous clock on the facade of Dirty Dicks. You have to go in here – it’s eye candy in 3d and has masses of charm. We had
haggis here on our last visit and loved it.
We took a small Guinness and a Belhaven best in The Cafe Royal on Register Street. I am not sure what to make of the red light that bathes the upper floor at night – hints of Moulin Rouge come to mind, however the bar below is well worth a visit just to soak in the wonderful Victorian decor. Once your eyes have left the opulent ceiling with it’s gold leaf embellishments you can’t fail to admire the tiled pictures of famous inventors, the ornate columns, lamps and decorated glass.
Central in the building is the fine wooden bar which boasts a large selection of beers, ales and spirits which include all the whiskies you would expect from one of Edinburgh’s finest bars.
The restaurant section was open but since we didn’t eat it would be unfair to comment here.
The Dome – George Street: Everyone knows this fabulous
building.You used to be to just wander in and sneak a photo, but it
got a bit too popular and I believe they had to stop it, so there is
someone there to meet and greet now. If nothing else treat yourself
to a coffee or a drink and lap up the amazing interior. At Christmas
they really excel themselves and have become famous for the most
decorations.
One little memory from my schooldays: I was staying with my Auntie Carole for a few days. I was 15, and she decided she would send me back to my parents with some new clothes. Rose Street had some trendy shops in those days, and she found a pair of flared trousers for me – a whitish denim look with grey stripes running down the legs. They may have looked great on Marc Bolan but I hated them. You don’t say “no thanks” to your Auntie though, and she made me put them on and wear them for the rest of the day – needless to say, they remained on a hanger in my wardrobe until the day I left school and could pop them in a charity box.
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