Oct
Wed 24 Nov 2021
The-Leith Pub-Guide (Part Deux)
The November 2021 Manor will be another dive in to Sir North Leith's 'The-Leith Pub-Guide', published in 1987 and researched and compiled in the year or two before then. There are 19 pubs on the pub guide map on the route between Middletons and The Central Bar, down Easter Road and along Duke Street to the Foot o' the Walk (with the odd small sojourn off-piste/pissed). Of these 19, today, only 10 remain pubs and of those 10, arguably only six now trade under the same name they did back in 1987. We'll start in price-tastic Middletons, take a "devil-may-care" approach and see which howf we reach before

a) closing time
b) someone's arrested
c) we're barred
d) the drink runs out
e) the majority of Knights are deaf and exasperated

Please choose your preferred end to our Leith pub guide Manor and bring along any tales you have of these hostelries to add to Sir North Leith's immortalised commentary. "The road to conviviality and companionship is flanked by licensed premises."
Meet in Middletons at *** 16.00 ***.

Guests and "experienced beviers" welcome

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Postponed from Mar 2020, The-Leith Pub-Guide (Part Deux) Manor launched from Middletons in Easter Road where Phil, Martin, Colin and Steve enjoyed an atmosphere which has been consistently warm since 1987 when North Leith's guide was published. The prices have increased somewhat but, relatively speaking, remain as good value as they were 34 years ago. There was a long way to go (hence the early start) so Knights limited the hospitality of Middletons to a couple of pints each before heading out in to the already dark evening in the direction of The Mash Tun (Eddie Turnbull's in the guide). Suffice to say, the value for money found in Middletons was unmatched for the remainder of the evening but even this failed to dampen Knights' spirits and they enjoyed a slightly more modern pub environment in the, now completely open-plan (no separate lounge) Mash Tun. Setting a sensible pace, Knights sojourned to the former location of the Albion Bar (now a mini-market) to reminisce before stopping off at the Old Eastway Tap (The Four-in-Hand in the guide). Knights forgot to ask behind the bar about inspiration for the new name: one for the next visit to this youthful establishment. There were a lot of beers from the Cross Borders Brewing Company on offer and at least two Knights sampled the draught heavy which had a traditional taste but was served as cold as a lager. The group of experienced beviers was enhanced in this establishment with the arrival of Mark and Malc: both very welcome additions to the convivial company. Next stop, The Iona Bar (Cropley's in the guide). The arrival of the Manor party left the average age of the set of punters in the Iona unchanged, unlike most of the rest of the evening where it kept going up: The Iona is more in keeping with Middletons and has kept its 'old-school' looks and clientele. Next, in true Cape tradition, the Manor took an unexpected turn. It was obvious, looking down Easter Road, that Tamsons was closed, so, Martin having expressed a wish to view the inside of the Strathmore, suggested a wander in the direction of Leith Walk. There was little resistance and Martin, in the vein of a Munro-bagger, was able to cross a Leith pub off his 'been there' list. As Hibs were experiencing a Hampden-hangover against Ross County, it seemed fitting the Harp & Castle was the next howff to be visited (Tommy Younger's in the guide). (Some Knights took advantage of Storries bakery on the way.) Here, conviviality was injected with whisky from the High Commissioner stable and some sort of Brazilian (?) coffee liqueur. There was just time to saunter down Leith Walk to the Vollie (Volunteer Arms (now Mouse Trap)) for a Knight cap before a ring of the bell for 'last orders'.

In all, seven pubs were revisited for a tipple; Knights intently listened to Steve read every relevant entry from the guide during the Manor and many a convivial, jovial and 'high-jinky' story or discussion was inspired by each one: thanks Sir North Leith, you may be gone but you still managed to form the foundation of another great Cape Manor.

Thanks to everyone who attended and so paid tribute to the legacy of Sir North Leith: Derry Beer.