The Edinburgh Spotters are big beer fans (just check the selection of pubs!) so it’ll come as no surprise one of our usual meeting points is one of Edinburgh’s craft beer pubs. Down Blackfriars Street between the Royal Mile and the Cowgate Salt Horse has become a default option for Spotters meetings for the past year or so.
The small bar offers a rotating range of craft breweries from all over the world on cask and keg as well as a huge selection of bottles. Last time we were in the favourite was a Helles beer from Harbour Brewing Co in Cornwall. Mikkeller from Denmark has been a previous option as has Thornbridge from Derbyshire. The draft beers are all served in 2/3rds so it’s a great excuse to try a few more than you’d normally have, just keep an eye on the strength - they can get quite strong!
To help soak up all the beers, Salt Horse usually have a popup food option. At the moment it’s Meat:Stack from Newcastle. I’ve not tried them yet but if it’s anything like the previous options from Jones & Sons, Twelve Triangles or Mangal, then it’s not to be missed.
If you don’t drink beer, don’t worry, Salt Horse also has a pretty good wine and spirit selection - not huge, but good.
They also apparently have a beer garden. We’ve never sat outside yet but maybe one of these days the Scottish sun will shine...
Find your way with 138 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
"Lochend Park" in Edinburgh is for you if you want a peaceful stroll around a loch (small lake), a gander at a doocot, a dander under mature trees...
by
Cute, quaint "Newhaven Harbour" is a hidden gem in Edinburg. Try walking around the area - it will take you about an hour...
by
"Starbank Park" in Edinburgh offers cracking views over the Firth of Forth - it's such a peaceful, beautiful place to sit and sun yourself in the sea air!
by
The "Water of Leith" is a river that runs from one side of Edinburgh to the other, and it runs through some of the city's most scenic & interesting sites...
by
"Wardie Bay" in Edinburgh is a bijou beach on the Firth of Forth and my favourite spot for wild swimming in the city...
by
"Dance Base" is an award-winning building in Edinburgh established to provide classes, workshops & performances. Please do join me in dancing!
by
The "Dovecot Studios" in Edinburgh were once public swimming baths where I'd swim every morning - now I can have a bird's eye view of weavers & looms...
by
The "Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop" is a bit of an institution. Going regularly means I can keep up with the artist’s work and enjoy a scone & jasmine tea.
by
"Granton Hub" (aka Madelvic House) in North Edinburgh is a community centre in a prosaic, truly historic building with a rich industrial heritage...
by
"Inverleith Park" is kind of a mirror-image of the Edinburgh Royal Botanic Gardens: one is lauded for its unusual trees, the other for its wide-open spaces
by
"Lauriston Castle" in Edinburgh is fairly well known to tourists, but its Japanese garden is not. All is perfectly balanced here...
by
In Edinburgh, you don't have to get on a tourist bus at all - get a day ticket for the local "Lothian Buses" and you can explore the city for cheap!
by
138 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 138 Insider Tips