The History Bit
The Beehive Inn is situated at the historic heart of Edinburgh, overlooking the Grassmarket, which was for many a poor soul, the last thing they would see in their lives. Just a few steps away from the pub is the site of the gallows, which stood there from the mid 17th Century, and for which there was a strong demand during the 'killing times' when over a hundred dissenters lost their lives. For a while, there was an execution every day, until it was demolished in1784.
The Grassmarket also used to be a busy market spot for corn, forage and cattle. Hence it's name.
With a drinks licence which is thought to have existed for 400 years, The Beehive began life as a 16th Century coaching inn. The present building incorporating a bar, garden terrace, dining room and meeting room, replaced the The Beehive Hotel in the late 1860's. The main entrance leads to a hall which was once an alleyway between two seperate tenements. These were later joined up , so the bars on the left and right used to be different houses!
If John Grant, a former owner of The Beehive for 27 years is to be believed, Robert Burns, who stayed just next door, used to watch cockfights in The Beehive.
On the first floor you'll find a macabre relic: the door of the condemned cell from Calton Jail, demolished in 1937. On the second floor, Thee Beehive boasts a meeting room in which Prince Charles used to dine when he was stationed at Rosyth.
Standing in the imposing shadow of Edinburgh Castle, The Beehive of today offers everything from fine food and wines, the best of Scottish and English cask ales to a dining room where you can relax and dine at your pace, or a meeting room equipped to deal with the most modern business demand.