The bar is has a fascinating history with an unmatched ambiance
12:00, 10 May 2026
The atmospheric pub also has a fascinating and spooky history(Image: Jorge Franganillo, CC BY 2.0)
The Daily Record has returned with another Pub of the Week, and this time we are shining a light on a Edinburgh bar that has appeared in both an iconic television series and a popular movie. Beyond that, it also has a fascinating history that involves a warlock and an exorcism.
The Tolbooth Tavern is an atmospheric pub set in a supposedly haunted century building along Edinburgh’s iconic Royal Mile. Featuring vintage wall lamps, framed pictures, and antique furniture, its ambience is unmatched, and it is no wonder that it has remained popular for so long.
It is also easy to see why the venue was chosen as a filming location for the recent Frankenstein movie directed by Guillermo del Toro, being used as part of the street set for the movie’s moody Canongate scenes. The Tolbooth Tavern has also been used as a backdrop for Outlander, and can be seen in various scenes of the beloved historical drama.
The Tolbooth Tavern website states: “Standing since 1820, this 200-year-old pub has long been woven into the city’s cultural fabric. From its days as part of the original Canongate Tolbooth to its modern reputation for warm Scottish hospitality, Tolbooth Tavern continues to welcome tens of thousands of visitors each year. The pub is also no stranger to the screen, having previously played a role in Outlander’s Edinburgh sequences.
“Known as one of the Royal Mile’s most characterful and haunted pubs, Tolbooth Tavern blends history, mystery, and exceptional local cuisine. Today, it is celebrated for its home-cooked Scottish dishes, locally sourced produce, and authentic old-town charm. Its enviable location places it just moments from Edinburgh Castle, Canongate Kirk, Holyrood Palace, and the foot of Arthur’s Seat, making it a favourite stop for tourists, film fans, and locals alike.
“With the release of Frankenstein drawing renewed attention to Edinburgh as a film destination, Tolbooth Tavern is delighted to be a small part of the story. Night-time footage and fresh imagery of the pub’s movie signage has been captured this weekend to showcase how the filming appeared on set.”
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The pub has a fascinating and spooky history going all the way back to the 16th century, with the building originally used to collect tolls from travellers. A few hundred years later, during the 1820s, The Tolbooth Tavern was officially founded and was named after its origins.
The building that houses the pub is also said to have at one time been used as a prison, supposedly counting a warlock among its many residents. The warlock is rumoured to have been exorcised inside by Sir Lewis Bellenden, who was Chief Justice to the Abbotts of Holyrood.
According to the Tolbooth Tavern, the sorcerer was so traumatised by the experience that he either died during the exorcism itself or shortly after. The incident is commemorated on a wall over the entrance to Old Toll Wynd Close, with the initials of Lewis Bellenden carved.
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Other than the warlock, the Tolbooth Tavern housed many wrongly detained Scots when it was a prison. Meanwhile, the back of the historic pub was also used as housing in the 18th century and some visitors to this day claim that they have felt an eerie presence inside.
It isn’t only film and TV producers that the Tolbooth Tavern has caught the eye of, as the pub currently has an overall rating of 4.5 out of five on Google based on around 2,900 reviews. Many of the customers who have reviewed the venue have praised its food, atmosphere, and whisky.
One wrote: “The food and whisky are amazing! Delicious meal. Beautiful restaurant. Super friendly team. This was one of our favourite restaurants in Edinburgh. We’d recommend it to anyone looking for a delicious meal. I loved the whisky, but they also have a wide variety of other great beverage options!”
Another echoed: “My colleague and I had dinner at Tolbooth Tavern and we couldn’t be happier. Very good traditional Scottish food, great service and what a variety of whiskies! Steve is amazing and made us feel super comfortable. Thanks Steve and the team for a good dinner and experience. Highly recommended.”
Further details can be found on the Tolbooth Tavern website. Meanwhile, see below for the Daily Record’s previous Pubs of the Week: