On the outskirts of Edinburgh city is The Sheep Heid Inn, a dog-friendly country pub with a rich history and delicious modern treats waiting to be discovered on our seasonal pub menus and within our extensive range of real ales, lagers, and wines. As one of Edinburgh's oldest surviving watering holes, we’ve catered to many a big event, putting our charming private dines spaces to use for past monarchs, poets, and today, offering a warm welcome to people just like yourself. Here’s some interesting tales worth sharing over your next after-work drinks or pub work meeting… Our name, pronounced Sheep “Head,” not “Hide,” may come from the fact that sheep used to be reared in the nearby Holyrood Park. Once butchered, the residents of this small village were so talented at turned sheep heads into exquisite cuisine that this pub was named after that skill. Alternatively, in 1580 we were given an ornate ram's head by King James VI of Scotland – you may even spot something similar on our very wall. Of course, if you curious for more history, there's always the idyllic views of Duddingston Loch, the always iconic Edinburgh Castle, and if you’d rather stay closer to the bar, we have the oldest surviving skittle alley – AKA bowling alley – which is available for private hire and still uses the authentic 19th-century skittles.
