'%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
McLarens occupies the former Bank of Scotland at 8 Morningside Road, a banking house dated 1873 by Peddie and Kinnear. Its mansard roof and substantial stone frontage give the former bank a recognisable outline at the street corner. Hugh Stirling was appointed to fit out the former bank for Signature Pub Group in September 2019, with bespoke counters and joinery. The operator describes a retained basement vault and rooms named Parlour and Teller, alongside a Loft and garden. Portraits honour Duncan McLaren, the modern venue's namesake. In 2020, a kitchen partnership with the Eric Liddell Centre helped deliver lunches to vulnerable people. That October, McLarens acquired six former ski gondolas from Courchevel, fitted with tables and upholstery for outdoor dining. The former banking rooms and garden give visitors several distinct places to eat or drink within the same site.
What to notice
- 01
The mansard roof belongs to the original banking-house design.
- 02
The operator identifies a retained basement vault on display.
- 03
Parlour and Teller room names retain the banking theme.
The time rail
The building, the pub and its interior may date from different periods. The timeline keeps documented dates separate from tradition.
Peddie and Kinnear's Bank of Scotland building was completed.
The former banking house was listed at Category B.
The bank was fitted out for Signature Pub Group and was operating as McLarens by May 2020.
McLarens kitchen partnered with the Eric Liddell Centre's volunteer lunch-delivery programme.
Six former Courchevel ski gondolas were acquired and adapted as outdoor dining pods.
Sources & confidence
Five real rows now include the October 2020 acquisition/adaptation of six ski gondolas for outdoor dining, distinct from the earlier charitable kitchen partnership and 2019-20 conversion. The exact first trading date remains bounded, not invented. Official seven-day ordinary hours and both inspected reference images remain accepted. Source dates do not establish current retention of every temporary terrace fitting.
Research reviewed
- Current venue identity, public visitor offer and contact detailsMcLarens operatorofficial
SupportsCurrent McLarens public bar/restaurant/garden at 8 Morningside Road, 0131 370 3322, Parlour/Teller Rooms, Loft and ground floor. Current short branding; full historic trading name McLarens on the Corner.
- Statutory LB48939 building and listing accountHistoric Environment Scotlandgovernment
SupportsLB48939: dated 1873 Bank of Scotland by Peddie and Kinnear, palazzo-style bank with mansard roof and agent's accommodation; Category B listed 16 October 2002. Historic bank-operating wording is superseded by hospitality conversion.
- Ordinary Sun-Thu 09:00-23:00, Fri 09:00-00:00, Sat 09:00-01:00; kitchen to 21:00McLarens operatorofficial
SupportsOrdinary Sun-Thu 09:00-23:00, Fri 09:00-00:00, Sat 09:00-01:00; kitchen to 21:00. Separate August extended schedule is not used for September.
- Primary participant: appointed September 2019 by Signature Pub Group with Tibbatts Abel and Ian Forbes for former-bank fit-out, bespoke bar counters and joineryHugh Stirling fit-out contractorofficial
SupportsPrimary participant: appointed September 2019 by Signature Pub Group with Tibbatts Abel and Ian Forbes for former-bank fit-out, bespoke bar counters and joinery. Does not establish opening day.
- Namesake tribute to Duncan McLaren; retained/displayed basement vault, McLaren portraits and neighbourhood photographyMcLarens operatorofficial
SupportsNamesake tribute to Duncan McLaren; retained/displayed basement vault, McLaren portraits and neighbourhood photography. No evidence of McLaren visiting or working at the bank.
- 27 May 2020 report: Market Corner takeaway adaptation, Signature Group/Nic WoodThe Scotsman, Rosalind Erskineeditorial
Supports27 May 2020 report: Market Corner takeaway adaptation, Signature Group/Nic Wood. Wood says opened March, but unresolved December 2019 soft-launch lead precludes exact first-opening claim.
- 2020-21 annual report printed pages 14-15: McLarens kitchen partnership supported lunch delivery for vulnerable people, 6 April-10 July 2020; programme 5,458 meals/68 volunteersEric Liddell Centreofficial
Supports2020-21 annual report printed pages 14-15: McLarens kitchen partnership supported lunch delivery for vulnerable people, 6 April-10 July 2020; programme 5,458 meals/68 volunteers. Do not credit pub alone for totals.
- Exact node 4212510188 carries premises name, address, latitude and longitudeOpenStreetMap contributorsappearance
SupportsExact node 4212510188 carries premises name, address, latitude and longitude. Retrieved HTTP 200 and plotted within building footprint. Hours/contact tags are not adopted.
- Six former Courchevel gondolas acquired,26October 2020Scotsman Food and Drinkeditorial
SupportsDated26October 2020 report says McLarens bought six former Courchevel ski cable cars, adapted as four-person dining pods with new upholstery, lighting and oak tables. This is a distinct physical terrace adaptation, not a new pub-opening date. Original attribution is RoomFood; DrinksBusiness repeats this report.
