Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)
The Royal Oak
Photographed By Michael Herrick, August 24, 2018
1. The Royal Oak Marker
Award winning home of traditional music
After the defeat of James the IV and defeat of
the Scots by the English at the Battle of Flodden,
a great wall was built from the castle around what
is now called the 'Old Town'. People crowded into
this area and built houses on top of houses afraid to
venture outside the wall in case the English got them.
Every spare foot of space was used and the first
skyscrapers in the world emerged,
many over 100 feet high.
Although not open to the public the cellars of the
Royal Oak still exist as part of the 'Old Edinburgh'
and the cobbled streets and drains can still be seen
two levels down below the public bar. Some of our
more sensitive customers have been known to see
strange apparitions and felt cold shivers both
before and after a wee dram.
When the first Edinburgh Infirmary was built
Infirmary Street was named after it. The morgue
was situated just below the Royal Oak and rumour
has it that Burke and Hare used the old passages
to carry out their gruesome trade.
Nowadays, the Royal Oak is used for much cheerier
pastimes such as drinking excellent beers and
wonderful Scottish whiskies, singing ‘weel kent’
songs and listening to all the
this page online
as well as some new ones.
Folk music began in the Royal Oak in the heyday of
the folk music revival in the 60's when many pubs
had live music sessions. Over time most of these
died away, but the Royal Oak has kept the folk
music flame burning in Edinburgh for over 30 years.
No trip to Edinburgh would be complete without a visit to this world famous folk-music pub
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Entertainment.
Location. 55° 56.883′ N, 3° 11.169′ W. Marker is in Edinburgh, Scotland. Marker is at the intersection of Infirmary Street and South Bridge, on the right when traveling west on Infirmary Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Infirmary Street, Edinburgh, Scotland EH1 1LT, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. George Davie (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Robert Louis Stephenson (about 90 meters away); From Here Health (about 180 meters away); William Henry Playfair (about 180 meters away); William Chambers (about 240 meters away); Spire of this Church (approx. 0.2 kilometers away); The High Street Wellhead (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); James Braidwood (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Edinburgh.
Also see . . .
Photographed By Michael Herrick, August 24, 2018
2. The Royal Oak Pub
Photographed By Michael Herrick, August 24, 2018
3. The Royal Oak
Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 3, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 158 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 3, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.
