Christie’s Bar

It is believed that Christie’s Bar is built over the site where King James I was killed in February 1437.

James I, King of Scots (1394–1437), was born in Dunfermline Palace and succeeded to the throne after the death of his father and both brothers. He spent many years as a virtual prisoner of King Henry IV and King Henry V in England but following his marriage he was allowed to return to Scotland in return for a ransom.

‘In a desperate attempt to escape James smashed through the floorboards of his apartment and leapt into the sewers. In a cruel irony, days earlier James had ordered the sewers blocked to stop his tennis balls from being lost in them.’

Although cultured, knowledgeable and excelling at sports he was not entirely trusted in his own kingdom, having fought with Henry V against Scottish forces in France and the large sums of money he spent remodelling Linlithgow Palace also added to his unpopularity. Eventually a faction of Scottish nobles, in an attempted coup, attacked the King while he stayed at Friars Preachers Monastery in Perth. In a desperate attempt to escape James smashed through the floorboards of his apartment and leapt into the sewers. In a cruel irony, days earlier James had ordered the sewers blocked to stop his tennis balls from being lost in them. The assailants caught up with him and stabbed him to death. His wife, Queen Joan escaped with their son, James, to Stirling Castle.

Today the pub offers a warm welcome and a fine selection of ales, whiskies and good Scottish fayre. We provide big screen coverage for match days and live music.

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