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The Sheep Heid Inn's whitewashed facade in Duddingston, its ram-emblem sign mounted between green-shuttered windows
Edinburgh

Sheep Heid Inn

An inn in Duddingston village with a claim to 1360, one of the oldest in Scotland, with a skittle alley of the 1880s still in play.

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Welcome

In the old village of Duddingston, tucked under the south side of Arthur's Seat, the Sheep Heid Inn has a claim to reach back to about 1360, which would make it one of the oldest inns in Scotland.

The building that stands on The Causeway today is mostly later, but an inn has welcomed travellers here for centuries, and a sign by the door calls it Scotland's oldest surviving public house.

The story goes that James VI enjoyed a game here and gave the inn a snuff box made from a ram's head, which gave it its name. At the back is a skittle alley built in the 1880s, among the oldest in the country and still in play. Inside, there are panelled rooms and a courtyard garden, and the kitchen serves pub food through the day.

The Sheep Heid opens every day from lunchtime until late. It makes a fine end to a walk over Arthur's Seat or round Duddingston Loch.

Round the cornerDuddingston LochEdinburgh's one natural freshwater loch, under the south side of Arthur's Seat.1 min by roadSee itDuddingston Loch
Before you go

Open every day from noon, earlier at the weekend, until eleven.

The skittle alley can be booked for groups.

Where
43-45 The Causeway, Duddingston, Edinburgh EH15 3QA.
Telephone
0131 661 7974.

Opening hours

Their website
Monday
noon–11pm
Tuesday
noon–11pm
Wednesday
noon–11pm
Thursday
noon–11pm
Friday
noon–11pm
Saturday
11.30am–11pm
Sunday
11.30am–11pm
Where it is

On The Causeway in Duddingston village, below the south side of Arthur's Seat.

Close byDuddingston and Arthur's Seat.
  1. Dr Neil’s GardenDr Neil’s GardenA garden made from 1963 by two Edinburgh doctors, above Duddingston Loch.Under a mile1 min by road
  2. Water of Leith winds through Dean Village beneath timber-fronted tenements and stone wallsAround Duddingston villageUnder a mile1 min by road
  3. Craigmillar Castle rising above rough grass in Craigmillar Castle Park.Craigmillar Castle Park1 mile5 min by road
  4. Craigmillar CastleCraigmillar Castle2 miles6 min by road
  5. Holyrood ParkHolyrood ParkThe royal park of Arthur's Seat, Salisbury Crags and three lochs.3 miles9 min by road
Directions
Wooded hillside slopes down to a calm loch under grey skiesAttractionsDuddingston LochA step away
Stairwell with "STEP NO. 2" stencilled beside a waterfall photograph and windowsill plantAttractionsHolyrood Distillery1.1 miles over the water
Green door reading "101 Bakery" beside leaf murals and potted plantsCafe101 Bakery1.2 miles over the water
Angular rusted-metal sculpture rising from a grassy bank beside a curved stone pathAttractionsDynamic Earth1.3 miles over the water
Bookshelves line a bright shop interior, with wooden stools by the windowAttractionsTill’s Bookshop1.4 miles over the water
Stone archway framing a street with blossom trees and passers-byAttractionsBakehouse Close1.4 miles over the water
Tasting glasses on wooden boards before copper stills in a distilleryRestaurants56 North1.4 miles over the water
Cove shop front listing gifts, skincare and jewellery, covescotland.com signage aboveAttractionsPortobello’s High Street1.7 miles
Rocky outcrop on a snow-dusted hill before Edinburgh's tenement rooftops and chimneysAttractionsMargaret Hall’s Cairn1.8 miles
Stay nearby

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Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in EdinburghAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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