The Albanach Review

It’s a long walk up the stairs of Fleshmarket Close (you ask Ian Rankin) and as you ply your way up from Waverley Station to the Royal Mile (ok just short of it) you’ll be presented by several temptations set to waylay the weak at heart or lung. Your sense will tug you on those precipitous steps towards the Halfway House or the Jingling Geordie (why he jingles I do not know; much as I am at a loss as to the difference between a jingle and a jangle) packed as they are with revellers who never quite made the ascent.

But my mate wanted to get past all those and sit on the Royal Mile and I’m glad he did (and anyway it’s easier to roll home if you’re on a hill), because he took me to the Albanach (Gaelic for Scotsman). I knew I was going to get on with the place as soon as I stepped inside and was presented with a curious, delighting, irrational mix of exposed stonework and Ikea-lite furnishing. It shouldn’t please the eye, it should quease the stomach but it works (and now you know why I review pubs and not art exhibits).

We were there on a Monday evening and the majority of the forty or so seats were taken; admittedly it was during the festival and I’m not one to cast aspersions on the drinking habits of my fellow Edinburgh dwellers, especially due to the jealousy it incites from outsiders who have sincerely believed there is something better to do with your time.

My companion and I both selected the special beer for that night, Peter’s Well which proved to be a crisp, pale ale that defies even the most exuberent hyperbole. The Albanach also carries Belhaven for the more bitter drinkers and the usual assorted lagers (Stella and the like); they also have a large selection of single malts (I lost count at twenty – I assure you that was before I reached the double vision stage); I’m no expert on the subject, a shame I carry heavily, so have no idea if they were good ones but there were enough there to have plenty of fun finding out.

Two pints put us back about a fiver, a bottle of wine came in somewhere in the region of ten notes (coins for those whose banks deprived them of notes all those years ago). Food is also available – Scottish fare, baked potatoes and so on.

Although there was background music it did its job efficiently, staying discreet and it won’t intrude into any heart to hearts you intend to have.

The Albanach is a very pleasant place to hang out and put the world to rights or watch it go by; we only left when Peter’s Well ran dry (literally!).
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Additional Information

• Cuisine Type: Cafe
• Dress Code: Not Specified
• Group: (Independent/Freehouse)