All routesLiterary Edinburgh

Detectives, Poets & Pints

This New Town route connects fictional detectives, old literary haunts and some of Edinburgh’s most ornate drinking rooms.

6 stopsAbout 2 hours, unhurriedWalking routeAbout 1.6 km on foot
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Pub anchor Walking leg

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The route, in order

6 stops

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  1. 1
    Pub anchor
    New Town

    The Conan Doyle

    71-73 York Place, Edinburgh

    Begin with the Sherlock Holmes connection in the New Town.

    Walk to the next place

    Head south toward the ornate centre of the route.

  2. 2
    Pub anchor
    New Town

    Café Royal

    19 West Register Street, Edinburgh

    A nearby ornate classic. Take time to look up.

    Walk to the next place

    The Guildford Arms and Café Royal share the same address. This is a purposeful double stop.

  3. 3
    Pub anchor
    New Town

    The Guildford Arms

    1 West Register Street, Edinburgh

    A deliberate same-address double stop with a different room and mood.

    Walk to the next place

    Walk west along the New Town streets.

  4. 4
    Pub anchor
    New Town

    Abbotsford Bar & Restaurant

    3-5 Rose Street, Edinburgh

    Move west to another historic New Town bar.

    Walk to the next place

    Continue west toward Hanover Street.

  5. 5
    Pub anchor
    New Town / Rose Street

    Milnes Bar

    35 Hanover Street, with Rose Street access, Edinburgh

    A Rose Street-adjacent pause before the final literary turn.

    Walk to the next place

    Finish with the walk west to Oxford Bar.

  6. 6
    Pub anchor
    New Town

    Oxford Bar

    8 Young Street

    Finish on a compact, much-loved New Town bar.