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The pub’s story
The Sheep Heid’s celebrated 1360 date is best read as a site tradition, not proof that one business has traded continuously in the same building. Edinburgh’s archive catalogue says a drinking house was first recorded here in 1360, while the council places the present building in the 1850s; HES notes an apparently 18th-century core, later work and the crisp Classical frontage of about 1900. Across the yard, the listed skittle-alley building dates to 1880 and retains a timber gravity ball-return ramp. The bar tells a less settled story. HES calls the free-standing-column counter Edwardian and says the gantry was altered in the late 1930s, whereas CAMRA attributes the counter, gantry and mirrors to a c.1936 refurbishment. That disagreement is part of the evidence, not something to smooth away. The alley remains in present use: the venue promotes group bowling with food and drink, preserving a direct connection between historic pub fabric and a living pub game.
What to notice
- 01
Use 43-45 The Causeway for the current venue; the statutory listed-building address is 43-47 (odd numbers).
- 02
The skittle alley is actively promoted for group bowling with food and drink; enquire ahead for availability.
- 03
The official site publishes weekly hours but warns they may be temporarily reduced; call before travelling if timing matters.
The time rail
The building, the pub and its interior may date from different periods. The timeline keeps documented dates separate from tradition.
A drinking house on this site is reported as first recorded in 1360; this is a tradition, not proof of continuous trade.
HES says the building's core appears to be 18th century.
The council dates the present building to the 1850s; HES describes it as mid-19th century with earlier fabric.
The listed skittle-alley building dates to 1880; HES records a timber gravity ball-return ramp without separately dating that fitting.
The crisp Classical public-house frontage dates from about 1900.
HES and CAMRA disagree: Edwardian counter with a late-1930s gantry change versus a c.1936 counter, gantry and mirrors.
The Sheep Heid Inn was added to the statutory list at Category B.
Sources & confidence
HES, the council appraisal, Trove and Capital Collections establish identity and building context; CAMRA supplies an independent specialist interior reading; official pages verify current visitor details and skittle use. The 1360 drinking-house date is retained only as an attributed site tradition: none of the reviewed public sources proves uninterrupted operation by one business or in one building. The present structure is mid-19th century/1850s with an apparently 18th-century core, and the frontage is about 1900. HES and CAMRA conflict on the bar fittings - Edwardian counter plus late-1930s gantry alteration versus a c.1936 counter, gantry and mirrors - so the public chronology labels that phase disputed.
Research reviewed
- SHEEP HEID INN, 43-47 (ODD NOS) THE CAUSEWAY, EDINBURGH (LB30077)Historic Environment Scotlandheritage
SupportsStatutory identity and Category B designation; mid-19th-century and earlier fabric, the 1880 skittle alley, circa-1900 frontage, alteration phases and HES's interior assessment. Its 1360 passage is treated as attributed tradition, not continuous-business proof.
- Sheep Heid Inn, EdinburghCampaign for Real Ale (CAMRA)specialist
SupportsSpecialist pub record supporting the CAMRA heritage rating, c.1936 interior attribution, later layout changes and surveyed skittles facilities. It does not resolve the conflict with HES's Edwardian counter assessment.
- The Sheep Heid Inn, DuddingstonCapital Collections, Edinburgh Librariesarchive
SupportsThe 2024 archive catalogue item confirms venue identity and records Edinburgh Libraries' 1360 drinking-house and royal-snuff-box narrative. It supports attribution of the tradition, not continuous trade.
- Duddingston Conservation Area Character AppraisalThe City of Edinburgh Councilgovernment
SupportsCouncil appraisal locating the Category B pub in Duddingston and dating the present building to the 1850s. Its 14th-century establishment language is treated as attributed, not proof of uninterrupted business.
- Edinburgh, 43, 45 The Causeway, Sheep Heid InnTrove, Historic Environment Scotlandarchive
SupportsNRHE place record supporting exact venue identity, Duddingston location, grid reference, WGS84 coordinates and an 18th-century public-house classification. It shares an institutional evidence family with LB30077.
- The Sheep Heid Inn Country Pub & Restaurant in EdinburghThe Sheep Heid Innofficial
SupportsOfficial current venue page supporting public name, 43-45 The Causeway address, postcode, telephone, website and published weekly opening hours. It is not used for historical chronology.
- How to find The Sheep Heid InnThe Sheep Heid Innofficial
SupportsOfficial current contact and booking page corroborating address, telephone and hours, while warning that hours may be temporarily reduced and advising visitors to call for current information.
- The Skittle Alley at The Sheep Heid InnThe Sheep Heid Innofficial
SupportsOfficial current promotion of group skittles with food and drink, exposed beams and a claimed original ball-return track. It supports present use; historic dating comes from HES and CAMRA.
