The Guildford Arms

The building

Designed by Robert Macfarlane Cameron and opened in 1896, the Guildford Arms is one of the few elaborate pubs to survive from what the pub calls the golden age of Scottish pub design. Inside you will find a heavy plaster ceiling, an arched mirrored spirits gantry, wood panelling and frosted glass screens, with revolving doors at the entrance.

Beer and food

Real ale is the main draw: ten traditional fonts pour beers from up to eight Scottish breweries, and the pub runs beer festivals through the year. The Gallery Restaurant, reached by a walkway around the walls, serves lunch and dinner using Scottish produce, with a view down to the bar. Lunch is also served downstairs and bar snacks are available all day.

When to go

It sits steps from Waverley station and the east end of Princes Street, so it fills up with commuters and match-day crowds. A weekday lunchtime or mid-afternoon is the best time to take in the interior. Book the Gallery if you want a table for dinner. If you only have time for one drink before a train, this is the one to choose.

Highlights

• Stewart family pub since 1896
• Jacobean-style plaster ceiling
• Ten real ale fonts, up to eight Scottish breweries
• Gallery Restaurant above the bar

Good to know

• Table bookings can be made through the pub's website.
• The kitchen serves from midday to 9pm.
• The pub publishes a children's policy on its website.

Frequently asked questions