Folk have been playing skittles at The Sheep Heid Inn since the 16th century, and that tradition is still going strong. Reputed to be the oldest working skittle alley in the world, the current alley was built in 1882 on the site of the old stable block. Be assured it’s not like any other ten-pin bowling you’ll ever experience!

The alley houses two idiosyncratic lanes,  which take some getting used to, and has seating at the rear and side, comfortably accommodating up to 40 people. The alley is separate from the rest of the pub, making it perfect for birthdays, work nights out, society evenings and other social gatherings. Children are most welcome.

A few hours of good, old-fashioned entertainment costs just £40 for the evening, or £10 per hour during the day. Don’t forget that you’ll have the entire alley to yourselves! Given notice we can also provide food for hungry skittlers, either basket suppers or a finger buffet.

 

The village pub in the heart of the city

 

Call now to check for  availability!

Tel:

0131 661 7974

Fax:

0131 661 6190

The ancient game of skittles has been played here since medieval times. James VI is known to have been particularly fond of a game here.

A skittling we shall go!

The Trotters Club

Begun by three friends in 1882, The Trotters Club was established in the vein of Scottish Enlightenment clubs of a century earlier. The club provided a convivial outlet for men of letters in late Victorian Edinburgh, all of whom “sought, and found, recreation in the best of games”…skittles.

The gentlemen met once a month to play skittles and compose songs and poems, with an overriding aim to “restore Skittles to something like its rightful place of honour, as an athletic exercise, and as a means of promoting good fellowship and manly, hearty, and innocent enjoyment.”

Surviving two world wars and the demise of numerous similar clubs, plus the introduction of women to their society, the Trotters meet here still every month.

 

The Trotters at The Sheep Heid Inn, June 1904

The Trotters’ badge

 

 

 

Here wise King Jamie would resort

To gather pith and patience;

He practised in our Skittle Court

To rule three mighty nations.

To whet their spirits, whither steered

The valiant Drake and Raleigh,

Before they singed the Spaniard’s beard?

Why, to their Skittle Alley!

 

The grey old Gods play endless games,

And never more grow older;

Their Pins the serried pine-tree stems,

The Bowl, a riven boulder.

Their hurtling shots in thunder crash

From mountain peak to valley;

While time fleets by like lightning flash—

And so ‘tis in our Alley.

 

To Skittles, sport of Kingly Sage,

Of Hero, and of Giant,

The spring of Youth, the prop of Age,

We quaff a toast defiant.

 

Then high our horns exalt, and long

Our Trotters tread the valley,

And louder, clearer, raise our song,

To ‘Skittles in our Alley.’

Skittles in Our Alley

by John Geddie, c. 1901

 

Of all the games that are so rare,

So rousing, keen, and kittle,

There’s none with skittles can compare—

The cream of Life’s to Skittle.

Each Trotter acts his manly part

To joyous shout and sally;

It is the pastime of my heart,

And we play it in our Alley.

 

Of all the days are in the week

I dearly love but one day,

And that’s the day that comes between

The Friday and the Sunday.

 

When Shepherd Young the flock to guide,

And John to keep the tally,

We challenge all the world beside

To match our Skittle Alley.

 

The follower of Football Teams

Our noble art belittles;

The Carping Cricketer blasphemes

The thrice-great name of Skittles;

Our board the Grudging Gowfer styles

‘A glorified Aunt Sally’;

The happy Skittler blandly smiles,

And hies him to our Alley.

 

 

The skittle alley as it looks today (above) - very little has changed since 1935 (below).

Call now to check for  availability!

Tel: 0131 661 7974

Fax: 0131 661 6190

 

Call now to check for  availability!

Tel:

0131 661 7974

Fax:

0131 661 6190