Holyrood 9A (The), Edinburgh

The Holyrood Tavern boasts an excellent location, set right in the heart of Edinburgh's most historical area. It tends to be especially bustling at weekends and during the Festival period, when there is a full program of mainly comedy acts. They have six cask conditioned ales and cask cider, malt and blended whiskeys, and serve decent, reasonably priced bar meals. Why not stretch out on the big, well-worn sofas with a pint of good traditional beer and discuss the plight of Mary, Queen of Scots and her turbulent association with nearby Holyroodhouse Palace.