Maybe it was just timing, the right people at the right time or some other random set of circumstances, but the Scotsman's Lounge proved to be my favorite pub in Edinburgh.
As its name suggests, the relatively small one room establishment leans a little toward the nationalist side. Above the bar, there was a rather strongly worded anti-English slogan that escapes me now, but was rather humorous at the time. Made more so by the fact I was visiting the pub with a buddy of mine from England. The clientele, except for my friend and I, were a rough and tumble cluster of locals lads. After verbally testing the mettle of my English cohort and grilling me on my own Scottish heritage, our fellow patrons warmed right up to us. There was certainly nothing that sharing a few drafts couldn't put into proper perspective.
The walls of the Scotsman's Lounge are adorned with various replicas of various historical documents and pictures of bagpipers and other musicians. This pub takes the history and culture of Scotland rather seriously, or as seriously as a drinking establishment can, I suppose. Though we were the only "outsiders" around on this occasion, the pub evidently draws a fair number of tourists, particularly when there is live music on tap.
On the subject of music, the Scotsman's Lounge serves it up live most nights. Typically, Scottish folk music is the offering and the pub serves as a hangout for elements of this music community.
This rustic little pub was a great setting for mingling casually with the "average Joe" of Edinburgh. We made a few good drinking buddies while there and had such a fine time that everyone was disappointed when we had to go our separate ways. Maybe I'll catch up with them again next time I'm in town, because I'll certainly be heading back to the Scotsman's Lounge for a pint and some tunes. Maybe I'll see you there, too.