Edinburgh Pub Guide: Ensign Ewart

Ensign Ewart

The Ensign Ewart is the nearest pub to Edinburgh Castle, Scotland's premier tourist attraction. As such it offers a huge amount of character in a building which in part (the cellars) can be dated back to 1603, and which has stood on Lawnmarket (one of the differently named streets that together form the "Royal Mile") in something like its current form since 1690.

Wider View The Bar

The origin of the name is a little more recent. Ensign Ewart was the young officer of the Scots Greys who captured the standard of the French 45th Regiment at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. The pub sign shows Ensign Ewart and the Standard, and there is a large painting of the actual capture of the standard occupying much of one wall of the pub. It is not recorded how French tourists feel about the origin of the name!

Interior, Showing Scots Grey Painting

Pub Sign

Internally the decor follows the military - and cavalry - theme of the name of the pub. Weapons and horse related paraphernalia occupy walls and exposed beams and the overall impression is of a comfortable tradition pub.

Address: 521 Lawnmarket, EH1 2PE
Telephone: 0131 225 7440
Opening hours, normal: 11.00am to 12.00 midnight
Opening hours, Sunday: 12.30pm to 12.00 midnight
Real ales: Caledonian Deuchars IPA & 80/- Guests
Whisky choice:
Cocktails:
Hot drinks:
Food:
Food service times:
Music: Live folk most evenings
Policy on children's access:
Disabled access:
Clientele: Mix of tourists and locals
Outdoor seating: No
Other attractions:
Features in: CAMRA's Edinburgh & SE Scotland Real Ale Guide (2004)