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The pub’s story
The Torfin occupies the former Oak Inn at 108 St John's Road, combining a public bar and brasserie with four themed bedrooms. The 1900 trade directory lists J. Gibson of the Oak Inn among Corstorphine spirit dealers. A Scottish and Newcastle property-security record names the inn in 1965, without establishing a purchase date. An August 2017 planning notice proposed timber decking at its steep entrance. Today raised white THE TORFIN lettering sits on sandstone, with HOTEL BAR BRASSERIE beneath. Upper sash windows and a projecting sign complete the frontage. The bar serves draught beer, cocktails and wine, and dogs are welcome on the bar side. Outside tables work on a first-come basis. Doors open at ten each morning, with midnight closing on Friday and Saturday. In 2025, the Scottish Bar and Pub Awards named The Torfin a finalist for Cocktail Excellence in Neighbourhood Venues, a specific recognition of its cocktail offer.
What to notice
- 01
Raised white THE TORFIN lettering is fixed to the sandstone frontage.
- 02
HOTEL BAR BRASSERIE appears beneath the current venue name.
- 03
A teal drainpipe and vertical projecting sign appear beside the upper windows.
The time rail
The building, the pub and its interior may date from different periods. The timeline keeps documented dates separate from tradition.
J. Gibson of the Oak Inn appears among Corstorphine spirit dealers in the trade directory.
The Oak Inn property featured in a Scottish and Newcastle disposition and trust deed.
An Oak Inn planning proposal sought timber decking for outdoor seating at the steep entrance.
CAMRA records withdrawal of real ale at this time.
The Torfin was a Scottish Bar and Pub Awards finalist for Cocktail Excellence in Neighbourhood Venues.
Sources & confidence
The current operator verifies the public bar, sandstone sign and seven-day schedule. The1900 directory identifies J.Gibson at the Oak Inn; Companies House establishes a1965 property security. The2017 decking notice is a proposal; CAMRA records May2018 ale withdrawal. The official2025 Scottish Bar and Pub Awards finalist list adds a fifth distinct event: Cocktail Excellence in Neighbourhood Venues, not a win. Rejected2017 hosted-review claims stay excluded. Current portrait qualification is handled separately in the image addendum.
Research reviewed
- Current bar/brasserie and four themed bedrooms; exact address, postcode, phone; draught beer, cocktails and wineThe Torfin operatorofficial
SupportsCurrent bar/brasserie and four themed bedrooms; exact address, postcode, phone; draught beer, cocktails and wine. Mon-Thu/Sun 10:00-23:00; Fri-Sat 10:00-midnight. Current close frontage shows stone, raised white THE TORFIN lettering, upper sash windows and a vertical projecting sign.
- Dogs accepted on the bar side; outside tables first come first servedThe Torfin operatorofficial
SupportsDogs accepted on the bar side; outside tables first come first served. Booking interface does not make bar booking mandatory.
- Former Oak Inn; real ale withdrawn May 2018CAMRAspecialist
SupportsFormer Oak Inn; real ale withdrawn May 2018. Stale record warns information may no longer apply. Old hours and turquoise fascia are not current evidence.
- August 2017 public planning notice printed p1405: 17/02531/FUL, Oak Inn 108-110 St John's Road, proposed timber decking to level steep entrance ground for outdoor seatingThe Edinburgh Gazette / City of Edinburgh Councilgovernment
SupportsAugust 2017 public planning notice printed p1405: 17/02531/FUL, Oak Inn 108-110 St John's Road, proposed timber decking to level steep entrance ground for outdoor seating. Proposal only, not consent/completion.
- Exact way/217340299 coordinates/footprint, retrieved 2 September 2026OpenStreetMap contributorsappearance
SupportsExact way/217340299 coordinates/footprint, retrieved 2 September 2026. Named/addressed building footprint and site point; opening_hours tag checked 31 March 2026 agrees with official Mon-Thu/Sun 10:00-23:00, Fri-Sat 10:00-midnight.
- Edinburgh and South of Scotland trade directory, 1900Trade directory, preserved by Electric Scotlandarchive
SupportsPDF page 167, printed page 164: Corstorphine spirit dealers include J. Gibson, Oak inn. CAMRA and council planning identify Oak Inn as the present Torfin premises. Does not date construction or first opening.
- Scottish and Newcastle disposition and trust deed: Oak InnCompanies House, filed company recordgovernment
SupportsDisposition and trust deed created 10 May 1965 and delivered 27 May 1965 names Oak inn, Corstorphine, Edinburgh. Satisfied July 1999. A registered security over property, not an acquisition, opening or construction date.
- Scottish Bar and Pub Awards 2025 finalistsDRAM Scotland / Scottish Bar and Pub Awards organiserspecialist
SupportsOfficial organiser finalist list for the 2025 Scottish Bar and Pub Awards names The Torfin, Edinburgh, in the De Kuyper Award for Cocktail Excellence in Neighbourhood Venues. This establishes finalist recognition in 2025, not an award win. The article publication date is not used as an event date.
