'%20d='M32%203C16.4%203%206%2015.3%206%2031.2c0%2010.9%206.6%2020.1%2014.3%2026.2L32%2077l11.7-19.6C51.4%2051.3%2058%2042.1%2058%2031.2%2058%2015.3%2047.6%203%2032%203Zm0%2014c-8.8%200-14.5%207-14.5%2016.4V55h29V33.4C46.5%2024%2040.8%2017%2032%2017Z'/%3e%3cpath%20fill='%23C99B4A'%20d='m27.5%2055%204.5-24%204.5%2024h-9Z'/%3e%3c/svg%3e)
The pub’s story
Albanach is a modern pub operation in a much older setting at 197 High Street. Historic Environment Scotland’s National Record describes number 197 as an about-1700 tenement at the corner of Cockburn Street and Fleshmarket Close; that is building fabric, not proof that a pub has traded here continuously. RCAHMS recorded ground-floor shops in 1951 and Category C survey photographs in 1975. The present Albanach was documented on the Royal Mile in a 2010 List drinks guide and is now a Greene King/Belhaven house with pub food, a large malt selection, cask beer, pavement tables and occasional live music. Treat it as a central, full-service Royal Mile pub with genuine heritage surroundings rather than an untouched old interior. Current operator hours are 11:00-00:00 Sunday. Thursday and 11:00-01:00 Friday. Saturday, with food served daily.
What to notice
- 01
The listed tenement gives this stop real historic context, but it should not be read as a continuous pub history from c.1700.
- 02
CAMRA reports changing cask beer and Friday/Saturday evening live music; current acts and availability can vary.
- 03
Official hours: Sun. Thu 11:00-00:00; Fri. Sat 11:00-01:00. Food is listed daily from 11:30-21:30.
From visitors
A visitor
The time rail
The building, the pub and its interior may date from different periods. The timeline keeps documented dates separate from tradition.
The National Record describes 197 High Street as a tenement that may date from about 1700.
RCAHMS recorded modern shops on either side of the Fleshmarket Close entry at ground-floor level.
Category C survey photographs documented the building and Close entrance.
The List included The Albanach in its Edinburgh Festival drinks guide at 197 High Street.
CAMRA published exterior and interior photographs of the current Albanach venue.
CAMRA updated its Albanach record, listing a traditional bar with dining space, changing cask beer and live music.
Albanach continues as a Belhaven/Greene King pub at 197 High Street with a published daily schedule.
Sources & confidence
The operator’s current location page supports the name, 197 High Street address, phone, service and weekly opening hours. This is a contemporary pub profile; no unverified building-age or continuity claim is made. Coordinates are retained for map use and should be treated as baseline map data.
Research reviewed
- Albanach, EdinburghBelhaven / Greene Kingofficial
SupportsCurrent venue identity, malt/food offer, facilities, address and weekly opening hours.
- Contact Us | Albanach Pub in EdinburghBelhaven / Greene Kingofficial
SupportsCurrent address, phone, bar hours and daily food-service hours.
- Albanach, EdinburghCampaign for Real Ale (CAMRA)specialist
SupportsCurrent layout, cask-beer, live-music and facility information, plus survey/update dates.
- Edinburgh, 197 High StreetHistoric Environment Scotland / National Record of the Historic Environmentgovernment
SupportsAbout-1700 tenement description, 1951 RCAHMS notes and 1975 survey record.
- Licensing premises informationCity of Edinburgh Councilgovernment
SupportsCouncil licensing record identifying Albanach at 197 High Street.
- Licensed premises dataCity of Edinburgh Councilgovernment
SupportsCurrent council licensed-premises data for Albanach and its operator.
- Edinburgh festival 2010: Where to drinkThe Listeditorial
SupportsIndependent 2010 documentation of Albanach as a Royal Mile pub with malts and cask beer.
