
Maggie Dickson’s
A pub at the east end of the Grassmarket, named for Half-Hangit Maggie, with 92 whiskies, local craft beers and live music.
At the east end of the Grassmarket, under the castle rock, a deep green pub front with gold lettering carries one of the most famous names in Edinburgh folklore.
Maggie Dickson was a fishwife who was hanged in the Grassmarket in the 1720s and, the story goes, sat up in her coffin on the road to her burial. Having served her sentence, she was set free and lived on for many years as Half-Hangit Maggie.
The pub that bears her name is a lively, friendly place. It keeps 92 hand-picked whiskies and a wide run of local craft beers, serves home-made pub food and traditional dishes through the day, and has live sessions from Edinburgh musicians in the evenings.
Tables spill out onto the Grassmarket in fine weather, with the castle above and the Vennel steps a short walk away. The pub is open every day from eleven in the morning until one at night.

Open every day from eleven in the morning until one the next morning, with food through the day and live music in the evenings.
- Where
- 92 Grassmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2JR.
- Open
- Every day, 11am to 1am.
- Telephone
- 0131 221 1440.
At the east end of the Grassmarket, below the castle.
Edinburgh BooksEdinburgh's largest second-hand bookshop, on the West Port.Under a mile1 min by road
Vennel StepsA steep stepped lane with one of the best-known views of the castle.Under a mile3 min by road
Flodden WallThe last standing tower of the town wall built after Flodden.Under a mile3 min by road
George Heriot's SchoolA Renaissance palace of a school, begun in 1628, best seen from Greyfriars.Under a mile3 min by road
Greyfriars KirkThe first church built in Edinburgh after the Reformation, opened on Christmas Day 1620.Under a mile4 min by road
Places to stay near the pub, and when each is next free.
Moment George IV Bridge- Sleeps 2
- In Edinburgh
- Under a mile from Maggie Dickson's
Old Town Chambers- To stay
- In Edinburgh
- Under a mile from Maggie Dickson's
West End Muse- Sleeps 4
- In Edinburgh
- Under a mile from Maggie Dickson's
The Scott Hotel- A hotel
- In Edinburgh
- A mile from Maggie Dickson's
Scotland, in print.
Every photograph commissioned, every word written by somebody who went. Printed twice a year, made in Scotland.
For further reading, before you go.









