Scotland's Most Unique Pubs

We're celebrating the end of dry January at Meander HQ and felt like we'd been longing for a cosy, weekend trip to the pub. You always want what you can't have! In Scotland, we're blessed with a pub culture that makes drinking spots much more than simply somewhere to enjoy your pint. They're places we gather to spend time with loved ones, family and friends, places filled to the brim with historical richness and places that bring Scotland's character and charm to life. From centuries-old taverns and hard to reach locations to quirky pubs tucked away in the Highlands, we will take you on a journey in this article through some of Scotland's most unique pubs and places to drink. From the most remote, smallest and oldest to our creepiest and hardest to reach; sit back and enjoy our Meander pub-crawl.

The Old Forge- Knoydart, Inverie

Tucked away in the remote village of Inverie on the rugged Knoydart Peninsula, The Old Forge is no ordinary pub—it’s officially the most remote pub on mainland Britain! Getting there is half the adventure; you can either trek 18 miles over wild terrain or hop on a seven-mile boat ride from Mallaig. Once you arrive, though, you’ll be rewarded with a slice of true Highland charm.

In 2022, the locals pulled off a huge community buyout, raising over £320,000 to bring this historic 18th-century pub back into their hands. After a major facelift (complete with a bar made from local timber), The Old Forge reopened in 2023 as the heart of the village. Whether you’re tucking into fresh local seafood, joining in a lively music session, or just soaking up the scenery, this pub is as much about the journey as it is about the destination. 

The Sheep Heid Inn- Duddingston, Edinburgh

Nestled in the charming village of Duddingston, Edinburgh, The Sheep Heid Inn isn't just any pub—it's a slice of history, with many believing that the foundations date all the way back to 1360. If this were to be correct, it would make the Sheep Heid Inn one of Scotland's oldest places to grab a drink. 

The unusual name doesn't stem from nowhere and ties into the pub's historic past. Once upon a time (from the medieval era), when sheep were once reared within the grounds of Holyrood Park, they would be taken through Duddingston on their way to Edinburgh's Fleshmarket in the Old Town for their meat to be sold. Due to the general limited demand of sheep heads (I wonder why!), the residents of Duddingston in particular found themselves with a excess of the scrap meat and became pretty creative in the kitchen, with dishes such as 'Sheep's Heid broth' becoming a particular staple. Another legend surrounding the pub's origins and name-giving is that King James VI of Scotland once gifting the landlord of the pub a very unusual gift- an ornate ram's head snuff box. It is thought that the gift remained on the site for a few hundred years before being sold to the Earl of Rosebery. The claims to fame don't stop there, with myths of Mary Queen of Scots herself parading the gardens of the pub to play skittles in the courtyard. 

Despite the pub's roots in history, it remains one of the capital's most iconic places to drink today- with it's unique in-house bowling alley serving as a main attraction. With a premium restaurant with an array of lunch and dinner menus, it's a great spot to head with the family. A Sunday roast menu makes the Sheep Heid Inn a top candidate for weekend adventures!

The Puffer- Easdale Island, Oban

Nestled on Easdale Island in the Inner Hebrides, The Puffer Bar and Restaurant offers a unique dining experience accessible only by boat. The trip will only take a quick 5 minutes and the crossing can be made via passenger ferry (the boat isn't a huge one and can only carry ten passengers at a time). The island itself is a great spot for those looking to explore the Scottish wilderness away from the hustle and bustle of modern life. To make this a daytrip, take a hike up Easdale's 38m hill to grab some unrivalled views of the Firth of Lorn and many other neighbouring small islands. 

This family-owned establishment serves a variety of locally sourced dishes, including fresh seafood and homemade cakes, all within a cosy and welcoming atmosphere. The island's car-free environment and limited population of around 60 residents add to the charm of visiting The Puffer. The pub operates Thursday to Saturday evenings, with a Sea Shack restaurant on Saturdays from 6 pm (booking ahead is definitely essential!). 

The Wee Pub- Grassmarket, Edinburgh

Since opening in 2013, this pint-sized pub offers a cosy retreat from the city's hustle and bustle. This city gem is a part of Billy Mulligan's wider family of establishments, but certainly boasts a whole heap of personality of its own. With just a handful of seats, the Wee Pub can only host a maximum of 20 people at a time, making any trip there guaranteed to be a cosy, intimate one! The crackling fireplace beckons you in from our cold city streets and the pub feels as though you're chilling out in a pal's living room rather than out at the bars. Despite it's small size, the bar is certainly well-stocked and offers a wide variation of whiskies, local ales, and other drinks to their guests. For those looking for a quiet drink after a long day of trapsing the city streets of Edinburgh- look no further. 

Glenuig Inn- Glenuig, Arisaig

Nestled in the tranquil village of Glenuig on Scotland's rugged west coast, the Glenuig Inn offers a cosy retreat with breath-taking views of the Sound of Arisaig. The Inn  has a beautiful surrounding area to explore, giving visitors the opportunity to hill walk, explore the coastline and even sea-kayak on the crystal clear waters of Scotland's deepest loch; Loch Morar. With nearly a full 24 hours of daylight during the summer months, you can pack your day full of adventures and grab a glimpse of our gorgeous West Coast sunsets before settling down for a relaxing drink.

The original building, dating back to before the Jacobite Rising of 1745, was destroyed by fire in 1746. Despite this, some original stonework in the main building remains, keeping the pub's ties with Scottish history close. The current structure was renovated in 2008 with sustainability at its heart, incorporating renewable energy sources and achieving zero food waste. The Inn have kept the original stonework as a celebrated feature inside and have cemented the structure as one of historic significance within the local community.

The Inn offers an array of guest bedrooms as well as a restaurant, open from 5 till 8 daily. The menu features fresh, local ingredients and beyond its culinary offerings, Glenuig Inn is a hub for community events and live music, reflecting the village's rich cultural heritage. Whether you're exploring the stunning local landscapes or simply searching for a stop-off on your Highland adventure, Glenuig Inn is a great choice.

The Last Drop- Grassmarket, Edinburgh

Perched in Edinburgh's historic Grassmarket, The Last Drop is a pub with a name as darkly humorous as its past. Back in the day, the Grassmarket was the location of one of the main gallows in the city (main execution spot) and thousands of citizens would once gather in the streets to watch the public executions. "The Last Drop" refers not to the looming final sip of an empty drink, but to the condemned's last hanging drop. Pretty creepy! With Old Town's haunted past, I'm sure there's more than one or two ghosts keeping an eye on the bar come nightfall. There are even rumours of a ghostly young girl in medieval clothing who has supposedly haunted the pub since before its establishment, with claims from both visitors and staff of eerie voices and moving objects.

Located right in the heart of Edinburgh's city centre, The Last Drop is a great spot for a midday drink and refuel. The pub is directly surrounded by a heap of the capital's landmarks, from the statue of Greyfriars Bobby and National Museum of Scotland right around the corner, to the iconic castle at the top of the hill. The Last Drop offers a traditional pub atmosphere, a vast array of in-house drinks and Scottish ales, as well as the occasional opportunity to watch live music and streamed sports matches.

We loved taking a look at some of the lovely pubs and drinking spots that Scotland has to offer. If we've inspired you to take some new weekend adventures, be sure to tag in your pics us using #everydayadventures and @meanderapparel- we'd love to see what you're getting up to!