Old Photos of Scotland No.3 - Pubs, Inns & Taverns

Third in the series Old Photos of Scotland, with photographs of pubs, or public houses, and other drinking establishments, dating from the Victorian period up to fairly recently.
Pubs have long been at the very heart of Scotland's communities, providing rooms in which to socialise and, of course, drink alcohol. Bar counters first made their appearance in the early nineteenth century, and before then beer would have been brought to your table in a jug.
Change of owner in a public house invariably meant some renovation or remodelling of the premises and, on way too many occasions, total destruction of old fixtures and fittings. Many old and architecturally stunning pubs interiors have found their way into the bin.
By examining old photographs we can perhaps get an idea of how pubs used to be, and how they changed with time and changing social trends. It's getting very difficult finding what you might term a traditional public house these days. I hope you enjoy what follows.

[@liamkatt6434]

Really great video. I started visiting pubs aged 15 in 1968 and have seen many changes, most not for the better. I remember the arguments between WWI and WW2 vets about who had the easier war, the WW2 guys usually bowing out. I remember the pubs with just one brewery bitter and one brewery mild and maybe Guinness and then the kegs arriving in the 70s. Real ale nearly dying out and then coming back. The little breweries being absorbed and now the little breweries coming back. Great that pubs are still pubs 56 years later and that people like you are taking the trouble to record it all. Well done.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Cheers Liam.

[@tonym08]

A great wee pub crawl through the ages.

[@MrCherryJuice]

I'm not a drinker, so pubs are not my thing. Still, I have been in many, both as a patron (double bitter lemon, please) or playing in a band ('Keep the volume down, lads'). I am also familiar with a number of the pub locations and dined at the Cramond Inn several times. But the reason I am commenting is to compliment you on the absolutely fabulous job you have done with this video. Great pictorial content, deep research, excellent narration...and palpable sentiment that had me on the verge of tears at times. Like you and so many others I lament the loss of so many of Scotland's buildings, virtually all of which have been replaced by bland concrete boxes. I've made note of the Old Toll Bar, and when next in Glasgow will endeavour to nip south of the river for a meal. Once again, pubs aren't my thing, but this is a tremendous video. Thank you. I have subscribed.

[@EdExploresScotland]

What a great comment. Thank you so much. 👍

[@AllansStation]

Aged 92 l guess l visited a number of these pubs, meybey too many, but hey! L am still here. 😅😅

[@theMisadventuresofaLittleWolf]

Thanks Eddie, that looks like a lot of work for you and its appreciated.

[@ArmandoLoni]

Fascinating!! Remember this...? 'McEwan's is the best buy, the best buy, the best buy.... McEwan's is the best buy, the best buy in beer. Aye. McEwan's. The best buy in beer ' 😄👍🏻🍻🍺

[@EdExploresScotland]

Absolutely, and as I'm reading the words I'm even humming the melody. The good old days.

[@ArmandoLoni]

@@EdExploresScotland I've just bought 4 tins of McEwan's Export 😄 I hope it's as good as I remember it. It's brewed in England now 😮

[@josephhenry4725]

I got the belt for singing this to my teacher.She had asked what music you have learned on TV.

[@johnhutchison2268]

McEwans, the breakfast of champions!!

[@chubbygallasso]

You used to get that on a floppy disc.

[@alanmarshall6218]

Thanks for that nostalgic account of our pub heritage. I remember a pub in the Cowcaddens called The Gushet Bar. There was a piano played on a Friday night. Lots of pubs there mostly gone.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Cheers Alan. Funny you should mention the piano, for there was someone playing the piano in the Old Toll Bar when I was doing the opening and closing bits.

[@steveclarke8169]

Another fine piece of work which I really enjoyed. I am hoping I can find the time to visit the Old Toll Bar on Paisley Rd West next time I am in Scotland, probably this Summer or at Christmas. I feel the need to tip my hat to you for the piece of music you wrote for this video. It was well matched to the photographs. Thank you for sharing your talents with us.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Thanks Steve. The Old Toll Bar is a Victorian gem, and so lucky to have survived virtually intact. Check Google for opening times, as on a few days it opens a little later than most other pubs.

[@andrewheaney6858]

It gladdens me the the pubs and architecture in Scotland that have been saved , but it also really saddens me the pubs and architecture that has been lost 😢

[@EdExploresScotland]

Absolutely.

[@josephinecameron6963]

Thank you very much Mr Eddy Burns 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@gooddeedsbeatbad2625]

The storm queen in partick was the pub I was sad to see get the beautiful shiplike oak interior ripped out. The lounge was decked in tartan & super cosy. Joy to see these old photos.

[@josephhenry4725]

It was the first pub that I can remember that started serving bar meals. Ma maw used to go down to meet up way ma da there .They thought themselves the bees knees.

[@colinblack7049]

Hi Ed, I loved all the old pubs, although I was half expecting the Saracen head, the sarry heid doon the barras is a right auld pub. Although Glesca did have numerous pubs so the video would need to be a couple of hours long, wan on almost every corner the whole length of the Gallagate. A great end to the video with you sat in the same spot as the auld guys in the photo, fantastic.

[@randalpmcmurphy1340]

Great, informative video. I love the thought of popping in for a pint back in the days of these pictures

[@EdExploresScotland]

If only we could live long enough for time machines to be invented.

[@johngillespie2686]

Hi Ed well done bringing the past memories of these old pubs and taverns back to lots us oldies great fotos loved ure commentary on them instead of like others just showing fotos well done on third part of your delve into our past take care Ed

[@robertwright4651]

Great video Ed the arcutecture in some of the old buildings are stunning proper pubs although I am too young to remember I did as a 16 year old drink in the Clyde bar Glasgow because I could get served happy days

[@vermeerofdelftscotlandwalk3294]

Bass brewery became Intercontinental Hotels, the owners of Holiday Inn and others. Whitbread brewery became the Premier Inn hotel chain, so they are still rivals. 😁 I've never been in the Old Toll Bar and didn't know about its well - preserved interior. Some friends drink there, so I'll need to join them when I visit Glasgow. I didn't know that we had pubs that go away back to 1456. Very interesting video. 👍

[@EdExploresScotland]

Cheers.👍

[@roderickdewar1064]

Excellent. Thank you Eddy.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Thank you. 👍

[@GunsOotNunsOot]

Great video Ed. Glad to see The Bruce - was there not so long ago when I took a jaunt to the east coast in the summer. Cheers👍

[@williamlong7188]

I was quite intrigued by your video so brilliantly done very interesting. I love the old pubs and I agree with your sentiments too many good pubs long gone. I love pubs with fires in them play darts dominoes pool have a good crafted beer good company. One thing although not pub related i loved the two pictures of outside the pubs at two collie dogs in the street with their owners in 2 separate pictures. One a border collie my favourite breed of dog and I have a puppy that is 20 weeks old called Bru after Scotlands other national drink Irn Bru . Hes my 4th collie. I like to take my dog to the pub it's like part of the furniture. My favourite kind of pub somewhere cosy , good chat food and drink a wee sing song talking about sporting events taking place and other topics . Sacred places . I hope Covid doesn't kill many of these pubs off. They are a vital part of the community. Loved the pictures. Thank you.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Cheers William.

[@giotto4321]

Superb edit from past to present in the Toll Bar, very well done!

[@andyf3236]

Really enjoy these videos. Reminds me of a pub in the area where I grew up, called The Golf Inn. Probably one of the oldest buildings in that area, now gone. It's a a Co-op and a takeaway now.

[@williambelford9661]

Bishopton, one of the first CAMRA listed pubs in the West of Scotland

[@ArcAudios77]

Eddie, enjoyed that look across Scotland's old Pub Photography. Thanks for putting it all together for us. Great watch. Regards.

[@EdExploresScotland]

It was my pleasure.

[@donaldyoung1487]

Used to drink in the Bull Inn the early 70s. It was run by a brilliant female manager (cant recall her name) but she was a great laugh. But cross her, and you'd be sorry. As we used to say "she could handle herself" and anyone else who caused trouble 😊. So glad your videos came up on my home page. This is the third ive watched this morning. Thank you.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Cheers Donald.

[@TRAVELTHROUGHTHEEARTH]

Thank you ED ! Your videos are so good historical places and informative.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Many thanks.

[@Kal-ir9ze]

A great look at what once was. Love these videos. And I am 40 lol

[@BrokenBackMountains]

Veey interesting and superbly presented. I remember having to wait outside the pub on Saturdays on Garscube road before going to Firhill. Me and a load of other kids as our dads had a pint My family on my dads side were publicans. My great Uncle had the Star bar at Eglinton toll. He named it after a Burns poem and they also had the Allison arms in Pollockshaws road and a pub in Glassford st. I used to drink in the Golf when I was a student though my local was the Canny mans. I think they got a bit exclusive and I probably wouldnt be allowed in cannies now.

[@dougie6886]

Thanks for the memories, another excellent video. Keep up the great work.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Many thanks Dougie.

[@Twin_peaks93]

So sad about the hospitality trade, breweries have all but vanished and many a good pub is gone in Scotland. Ive worked in bars for years and its a sad story

[@charlesmair26]

Another good one ED...

[@EdExploresScotland]

Thanks Charles.

[@slydermartin6008]

Ed, just recently found your videos and am a fan. Past photos are my passion. In the 70's I had the joy to print from glass negatives ( and get paid ) from the 1800's the town that I grew up in. Being from New England our oldest buildings are modern compared to Old Town but!!!...the men and woman in these photos could have been my neighbors. Excellent Job Mate.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Many thanks. Nowadays we have an easy life taking photos. But it's hard for us to imagine the amount of work involved in taking photos way back in the old days. You came close to it. Have a great 2023.

[@magnus9701]

great vid , I do remember a good few years ago someone wanted to buy the interior of The Old TOLL, then I think it got listed , I may wrong

[@EdExploresScotland]

That's interesting. It wouldn't surprise me.

[@johns280]

Nice tour of old pubs. Like you, I’m for the traditional and not the modern.

[@-robster-robster-]

another great video thanks👍

[@EdExploresScotland]

Thank you.

[@DiscoverWithPajerico]

Fantastic

[@borderlands6606]

The pub window in Newhaven carries an advert for wrestling with Dundee's George Kidd and Adrian Street. Kidd was a talented if slight wrestler at 5 ft 6in nicknamed the "Houdini of the Mat", while Adrian Street's gimmick was as a flamboyant effeminate "heel". Newsprint posters for upcoming sporting fixtures were a common sight throughout Britain, but entirely disappeared in the following years.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Many thanks for that.

[@johngreenhorn8853]

A lot of people still call the Tolbooth in Falkirk the Gaff,not to sure when it did actually change names.

[@AllansStation]

Fascinating

[@EdExploresScotland]

Thank you.

[@davidoneill913]

Very enjoyable Ed !

[@annemackie685]

Great video thanks. My dad and my grandfather were publican but unfortunately I don’t know the name of the pubs

[@thomasbarr5940]

Adrian Street the wrestler who had an advert on the window of the New Haven pub u showed has not long since died at the age of 83

[@Twin_peaks93]

Would like to visit atholl bar in glasgae. The bennets bar in Edinburgh is one of Scotlands oldest and best preserved also, it has looked the same for over 100 years and stands nxt to the brilliant kings theatre at gilmore place

[@EdExploresScotland]

Yes, Bennets Bar is an absolute gem. I ended one of my videos in its snug - may have been the video about Duddingston Brewery.

[@williamwallacedebruce9221]

Enjoyed the clip, I felt there was too much Edinburgh for my liking when there is so many Glasgow pubs. Took the girlfriend now the wife into the Atholl arms, she was not impressed.

[@EdExploresScotland]

It's a fair point about the Edinburgh bias. I think it simply echoes the sources I use for such images. There's probably scope for a Pubs2, although the Glasgow images I have aren't that old.

[@roycowan370]

I used to drink in the Gaff in the mid 80s

[@peetsnort]

Looks like the bar in cheers. Boston

[@keithramsay3340]

there's still a salutation bar in Anstruther next to the chip shop

[@EdExploresScotland]

Cheers Keith.

[@geoffbanton4049]

At 11 minutes that looks like the bar on Marillion’s clutching at straws album

[@ianmac3648]

Whit dae yea mean old pubs wiz in there the day 🙈🙈

[@Littlelamb2023]

As an English man i can say i love Scotland and the Scots. I don't care if some of them hate us haha

[@EdExploresScotland]

When holiday time comes around, I find myself venturing south of the border. I love those quaint little hamlets in England; and you do much better pubs and ales than we do up here.

[@Littlelamb2023]

@@EdExploresScotland I’m from the Lake District it’s lovely here I have to say but When the weather is right Scotland is up there with the most beautiful places you can go!!

[@alanbobbymcguire5099]

My wife and I love England. We take our caravan south of the border and absolutely love our time down south.

[@josephhenry4725]

Ed I used to be there as a wee boy . You asked if your da was in there as your maw was waiting for the wages .Rather more telling though was the ex soldiers standing on one leg or arm or blind playing a mouthhie or the chanter.

[@EdExploresScotland]

I sometimes wonder if we can really call them the good old days.

[@davidfisher9026]

'ale ale' ? Pale ale.

[@234cheech]

i love an old inn history. even when old pubs inn''s gets a make over somehow it loses its apeal

[@steviewonder7495]

Hello, great video, the Salutation Bar in Anstruther at the 7.25 mark. I worked on the new high school in Anstruther when it was being rebuilt many years ago and the locals pronounced the town Ainstra. And that is how it is pronounced, 👍

[@steviewonder7495]

Sorry Ainster.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Many thanks. Yes, I think you could be right, although I'm forever mispronouncing things.