The Tam O’ Shanter

There has been a building on our site since 1529 but the current building dates back to 1749.

Robert Burns, Scotland’s most famous poet, is said to have frequented the pub and thus a long standing partnership was born. The pub’s history is fascinating and tourists visit us every year from all over the world to sample the atmosphere in our unique surroundings. On one occasion we were approached by Edinburgh University’s paranormal department who wanted to stay in the pub overnight as it is indeed haunted! On that occasion the request was denied. Today our visitors are more interested in Scottish food, in particular our Guinness Steak Pie.

‘Robert Burns, Scotland’s most famous poet, is said to have frequented the pub’

It was from our pub that Robert Burns’ friend Douglas Graham, who was the inspiration for ‘Tam O’Shanter’, Burns’ most famous poem, left that fateful night. The poem describes Tam’s homeward journey, after a long evening at the Inn, and the terrible visions he witnesses. Riding his grey mare, Meg, Tam comes across a coven of witches, warlocks and the Devil himself at the ruined church of Kirk Alloway. Knowing that witches can’t cross water, he heads for the Brig o’ Doon. Unfortunately, though Tam does escape, one of the witches grabs Meg’s tail and pulls it off, and Burns ends his tale with this warning for drinkers

Whene’er to Drink you are inclin’d,
Or Cutty-sarks rin in your mind,
Think ye may buy the joys o’er dear;
Remember Tam o’ Shanter’s mare.

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