Public bar circa 1935.

Little has changed save the laying of a carpet, the removal of the sawdust spittoon from the front if the bar area and the dismantling of the “jug bar” which was situated at the rear of the picture wherein the womenfolk would sit with a thin partition placed to protect their ladylike modesty, and give the men the impression of temporary separation from their wives

The story so far...

Local historians claim that there was an inn licensed on this spot as early as 1360,  we are currently attempting to ascertain the truth behind this assertion. What we do know for certain is that not a stone throw away sits the picturesque twelfth century church of Duddingston, and one thing we can be sure of in Scotland is where there were places of worship there was always an enterprising innkeeper offering the faithful nourishment for the soul of a slightly less ecclesiastical nature!

The Sheep Heid doesn’t feature too heavily in the history books again until the time of Mary Queen of Scots when it became a stop off point on her regular jaunts between the royal palaces of Craigmillar and Holyrood. This royal patronage was continued by her son James VI whom tradition records presented the innkeeper with a richly embellished ram’s head snuff box in thanks for the good times had playing skittles in the yard at Duddingston. This head was preserved at the inn until the late 19th century when an impecunious landlord sold it at auction. Thankfully before he did so he had the foresight to have a copy made (albeit with lesser value adornments) which resides behind the bar still (See picture above left). The original head now resides at Dalmeny House, home of the Earls of Roseberry.

Throughout the years that followed countless visitors , famous and not so famous have passed through our doors. Sir Water Scott, J.W.M. Turner, James Hogg, Christopher North, Sir David Wilkie, Sir Henry Raeburn, Robert Louis Stevenson and Compton MacKenzie are just a few of the myriad of talented individuals known to have spent time in Duddingston, undoubtedly imbibing within the Sheep Heid. In 1745 Prince Charles Edward Stewart set up his military camp in the village on the eve of his most significant victory at the battle of Prestonpans. We can be sure that with an entire army of Jacobite soldiers in the vicinity no inn would have been left unscathed, history does not record unfortunately if the Bonny Prince relaxed over a game of skittles and pint of Sheep Heid in the beer garden!

 

The village pub in the heart of the city

In 1724 a slightly more macabre episode in the pub’s history occurred with the arrival of the funeral entourage of one Maggie Dickson, hanged a few hours before for the crime of infanticide. While the mourners refreshed themselves inside the tavern the corpse of the unfortunate woman was left at the door. Suddenly a low groan was heard from her coffin the lid of which was immediately prized off.  The now very fortunate Maggie was found to be struggling for breath and given a reviving dram of whisky, in this case living up to its true meaning of the “water of life.” Having been convicted and hanged once already Maggie couldn’t be so punished again and went onto live a long and happy life following her lucky escape. 

19th Century copy of the Sheep Heid Snuff Box presented by James VI

Andrew Kerr & His Wife outside the Sheep Heid in 1904

The tavern at Duddingston has been at the heart of its community for centuries.  The 18th Century Kirk Session records contain numerous instances of the central role played by the pub in local affairs (A Mrs Hunter, Landlady in the late 1710s was never out of trouble with the church authorities for one thing or another!).

The Sheep Heid proudly soldiers on into the 21st century embracing social change in its stride (hence the early imposition of a total non-smoking policy in advance of legislation), weathering every storm and setting standards for others to follow…

So if you haven’t visited us stop whatever you’re doing and come now!

 

Sleepy Duddingston Village on the edge of Arthur’s Seat

(The Sheep Heid is in the centre of the picture)