'%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
The Conan Doyle commemorates its namesake through local geography, not a proven personal connection to the pub. Arthur Conan Doyle was born nearby at Picardy Place on 22 May 1859; Edinburgh’s Sherlock Holmes statue returned there in 2023 after tram works. The bar itself occupies the late-nineteenth-century public-house frontage of a much older Category A York Place terrace. Historic Environment Scotland dates the classical building to 1806, notes the public-house front at 69-73 York Place as late nineteenth century, and records York Place feuing beginning in 1793. Archive material also shows a MacDonald wine-and-spirit merchant’s sign at 73 York Place, but does not equate it with today’s business. A brief 2017-18 rebranding to “The J. K. Rowling” was a temporary art installation, not a change to the long-term name. Today it is a Nicholson’s pub with literary memorabilia, food and drinks.
Literary connections
Each note states whether the link comes from a writer’s own words, a fictional setting, a commemorative name or a venue tradition.
Arthur Conan Doyle
Current pub identity
The pub is a geographical commemoration of Conan Doyle, whose birthplace was nearby at Picardy Place. Its name and memorabilia do not establish that he drank or wrote at this later pub.
- Who’s returned to Picardy Place? It’s elementary City of Edinburgh Council context for Conan Doyle’s nearby birthplace.
- The Conan Doyle Current operator identity and commemorative pub context.
What to notice
- 01
The pub is named in commemoration of Conan Doyle’s nearby birthplace; there is no reviewed evidence that he used these premises.
- 02
Separate the 1806 terrace and late-nineteenth-century pub frontage from the present business.
- 03
The Sherlock Holmes statue is a short walk away at Picardy Place and completes the local literary link.
The time rail
The building, the pub and its interior may date from different periods. The timeline keeps documented dates separate from tradition.
Historic Environment Scotland records the beginning of feuing in York Place, the setting for the later terrace.
Peter Lorimer’s classical terrace at 69-73 York Place was built.
The listed record identifies the public-house frontage now occupied by The Conan Doyle as late nineteenth century.
Arthur Conan Doyle was born nearby at Picardy Place.
The York Place terrace was listed at Category A.
The pub underwent a temporary “J. K. Rowling” art-installation renaming, not a permanent business replacement.
Edinburgh’s Sherlock Holmes statue returned to Picardy Place after tram works.
Nicholson’s and CAMRA confirm an active current pub at 71-73 York Place.
Sources & confidence
The City of Edinburgh supplies the authoritative nearby birthplace and 2023 Sherlock statue return. Nicholson’s and CAMRA establish the current pub identity and address. Contemporary reporting supports the temporary 2017-18 art intervention. No source links Conan Doyle personally to the premises, so the story is accurately framed as geographical commemoration.
Research reviewed
- The Conan DoyleNicholson’s Pubsofficial
SupportsCurrent name, address, operator, food-and-drink identity and current hours.
- Conan Doyle, EdinburghCAMRAspecialist
SupportsCurrent corner-pub identity, 71-73 York Place address and the literary memorabilia/naming context.
- 69–73 York Place, including railings (LB29974)Historic Environment Scotlandheritage
Supports1793 York Place feuing, 1806 terrace, late-nineteenth-century public-house frontage and 1966 Category A listing.
- Edinburgh, 73 York Place, The Conan DoyleTrove / Historic Environment Scotlandarchive
Supports1822 Picardy Place drawing and archive material showing a MacDonald wine-and-spirit merchant at 73 York Place; it does not establish present business continuity.
- Who’s returned to Picardy Place? It’s elementaryCity of Edinburgh Councilgovernment
SupportsNearby birthplace context, Conan Doyle’s exact birth date and the 2023 return of the Sherlock Holmes statue.
- J.K. Rowling Pub / Conan Doyle art installationComicBook.comeditorial
SupportsContemporary account of the temporary 2017-18 J. K. Rowling art installation.
- Edinburgh Ale TrailNicholson’s Pubsofficial
SupportsOperator’s current local-context description of the Conan Doyle name and Picardy Place birthplace relationship.
