July 2025. Edinburgh.
It’s approaching 4pm on our Big Edinburgh Day Out and time to head Southside.
This year’s collection of GBG ticks take you to New Town, Leith and the east, and down through the Meadows to the “Miss Jean Brodie” residential suburb of Marchmont,
with its artisanal hardware and giant fish.
We’ve got an all-dayer in unheralded Atherstone where virtually every pub serves beer at noon, but 4pm openers seem common in Southside,
but there must be demand as the Argyle had a queue outside at 3:59 and by 4:06 a small open plan bar was filling up with Old Boys and students, a great mix.
Unlike autovacs, I have no opinion on the tall founts just introduced to the Argyle, but they do look gorgeous, and they were all serving Scottish beers, not that fount served Avalanche (NBSS 3) tasted any different from the hand-pumped one.
Dunno what it is, but they should serve Mini Mary on gravity.
“Dog Days Are Over” your jolly soundtrack in a friendly neighbourhood local summed up by a new grandfather popping in to celebrates with a glass of red wine and a crossword.
Everyone needs that third space.
retiredmartin 
I tend to associate Marchmont with John Rebus rather than Jean Brodie, but it’s a long time since I read any Muriel Spark.
I did visit the Argyle 12 years ago when one of my daughters lived nearby. No review on Pubs Galore to remind me what it was like, because in those days I wouldn’t make any notes while in company, especially if with my offspring. But it looks brighter and more welcoming than I recall.
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I’m impressed with that bank of tall counts. Very traditional, and very Scottish. Designed so the pint could be poured in full view of the customer, and to prevent dubious practices, such as topping up a pint with some previously pulled “slops.”
Powered by air pressure, with the original ones coupled with some device that converted water pressure into air pressure, CAMRA didn’t like them. This resulted in the great air pressure schism, that almost split the Campaign. I’m sure Stafford Paul will remember that.
I think they look great, and the fact they prevent any topping up with beer pulled for the previous customer, is an added bonus.
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They look great, but the problem for me is they prevent the topping up of a pint with some previously pulled “slips”.
Join the Society for the Protection of Autovacs by sending a five guinea note to the treasurer at P.O. Box 888, Musselburgh.
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