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The pub’s story
Hectors occupies the rounded ground-floor corner where Deanhaugh Street meets Raeburn Place. The dark green frontage and pale awnings date from a five-week refurbishment completed in 2024, when a hand-carved wooden gantry and new furniture were introduced. CAMRA describes high tables at the front, a narrow route past the bar and a larger seating area behind it, with a large Bass mirror as the interior marker to find. The pub joined Nicholson’s in March 2024 and reopened after the refit in September. North Edinburgh News says the name honours Sir James Hector, the Stockbridge-born geologist, naturalist and surgeon. That is a reported naming link, not evidence that he used this building. Current listings support cask ale, food, sports, a Tuesday quiz, Wednesday magic and Thursday live music. The result is a busy local with distinct front and rear moods.
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.
Sir James Hector
Current venue identity
A 2024 local report says the pub takes its name from Sir James Hector, the Stockbridge-born geologist, naturalist and surgeon. This is a naming tribute, not evidence of patronage.
- Hectors reopens with a fresh new look Published account of the Sir James Hector naming link.
What to notice
- 01
The front section is narrow; a larger seating area opens beyond the bar.
- 02
Look behind the bar for the large Bass mirror retained as a recognisable interior feature.
- 03
Current listings include a Tuesday quiz, Wednesday magician and Thursday live music, but check the weekly programme before travel.
The time rail
The building, the pub and its interior may date from different periods. The timeline keeps documented dates separate from tradition.
The pub occupies the ground floor of a rounded sandstone tenement corner on Deanhaugh Street.
CAMRA surveyed the high front tables, narrow passage, rear seating and large Bass mirror.
The local CAMRA branch recorded Hectors becoming a Nicholson’s pub.
Hectors reopened after a five-week refurbishment with more cask ale.
A local report documented the new gantry, furniture and dark green frontage scheme.
CAMRA updated the current venue record and visitor information.
Sources & confidence
Nicholson’s and the current Stockbridge directory establish the current identity, address, contact details and hours. CAMRA supplies the front-to-rear layout, Bass mirror, cask offer and regular activities. The local branch independently dates the March 2024 operator change and September reopening. North Edinburgh News documents the five-week refurbishment and attributes the name to Sir James Hector. No dependable original opening date or protected-interior designation was found, so neither is claimed.
Research reviewed
- HectorsNicholson’sofficial
SupportsCurrent operator identity, venue offer and booking destination.
- HectorsStockbridge Edinburgheditorial
SupportsCurrent address, phone, opening hours and visitor offer.
- Hectors, EdinburghCampaign for Real Alespecialist
SupportsCurrent hours, operator, interior layout, cask beer and regular activities.
- Hectors local recordEdinburgh and South East Scotland CAMRAspecialist
SupportsMarch 2024 Nicholson’s change and September 2024 reopening after refurbishment.
- Hectors reopens with a fresh new lookNorth Edinburgh Newseditorial
SupportsFive-week refurbishment, new gantry, furniture, frontage colours and Sir James Hector naming account.
- Hectors map featureOpenStreetMapappearance
SupportsMapped position and coordinates at the Deanhaugh Street corner.
