The Scottish Arts Club was founded in 1873 by mostly artists and sculptors and over years has…read morebroadened into most of the arts.  It is a very relaxed club in terms of dress code and it is a very friendly club with many social , arts and musical events over drinks and food. It has a clubroom, a studio, dining room and a garden too. It has a very homey feel to it.  It is a home away from home which is what club life is really all about.   The club has reciprocity with a good number of arts related clubs and other highly ranked social clubs. I love this club.

the new club is located on princes street edinburgh commanding amazing views of the castle…read morewhilst having the traditional 'gentlemans club' atmosphere - it is also open to ladies (apart from weekday lunches in the members dining room) its function rooms cater for up to 200 (3 large function rooms + 2 bars) and it has 22 ensuite bedrooms it is also the perfect business venue for small events/conferences (i've attended many over the past few years) - food/wine is superb !!! quite exclusive clientele - but quite relaxed atmosphere - they have lovely oil paintings of lots of famous people and a well stocked library and reciprocal membership with many other clubs

On our first night in Edinburgh, some friends wanted to kick off the trip with a whisky tasting, so…read morewe booked a whisky-and-cheese pairing at SMWS. I don't drink alcohol, but their online mocktail menu looked great, and when my friends made the reservation, the staff confirmed they'd be happy to accommodate me and that I could order a drink at the bar. I was genuinely excited given the variety of mocktails listed. The space is gorgeous, and even without drinking, the whisky selection is fun to explore - the names alone are worth a chuckle. The staff were warm, and our whisky-tasting guide was both knowledgeable and entertaining. After we settled in, I headed to the bar to order a mocktail, and I probably should have stopped while things were still going smoothly. The bartender ended up calling over an off-duty staff member because they were "between menus." He was extremely friendly, asked thoughtful questions about what I liked, and said he'd come up with something based on what ingredients they had. The drink was delivered to me later in the tasting room, and it was... fine. Interesting, with a smoky note - perhaps an attempt to give me a peaty, Scottish experience - but not quite to my taste. When I paid, I'll admit the price surprised me, as my mocktail cost more than a friend's dram of whisky. My friend later mentioned that it also felt like a miss that I wasn't given a cheese tasting tray alongside everyone else, especially since our group nearly bought out the tasting. My place setting was empty until my drink arrived. I didn't think of it at the time or feel entitled to anything, but offering a "no-alcohol" tasting option - a mocktail or NA beverage plus the cheese pairing - would be an exceptionally thoughtful addition for guests who accompany drinkers. As the sober friend tagging along, the experience was perfectly okay and largely in line with what I expected - but with a couple of small tweaks, it could have felt much more inclusive.

I stopped by for a final couple of drama on my last evening on Scotland (09/09/25). There were…read moregreat scotch offerings at all price points, the atmosphere felt upscale, but still comfortable, and the staff were all pleasant and very helpful. I'd definitely return.

The Scots Guard Club is a building that looks like a posh b+b in the Haymarket area of Edinbirgh…read more They have a pub area down the stairs, which I have never been in, a long corridor to the toilets, an outdoor smoking area, with benches, a lot better than standing at a front door. And upstairs, where I have been twice now, a function area. Because I have only been to the function hall, I will cover this area. The hall is not large, on an estimate, it would be busy for a crowd of 40 people. It's clean with large tables, a miniscule dance floor, and a small stage where the DJ would set up. There are large bay windows which look out to Haymarket and a small bar. Prices at the bar are standard pub prices, which is unexpected for a club as that is where they make their money. The hall is clean, the staff are helpful and friendly. They even have a doorman in a lovely scottish tartan suit, who will meet and greet all that come in. You have to be a member of the club, although I am unsure how much membership costs. The only downfall is, in the function suite, there is 1 toilet, where anyone can use it. If you want bigger toilets, you have to go downstairs and along a long corridor. Parking isn't too great either but it is still a nice place to go to and would recommend a visit.

Great little unassuming coffee joint during the day. Thoroughly enjoy studying there and chatting…read morewith the staff. Everyone is so friendly and they have delicious pastries. Highly recommend for a great afternoon coffee stop in Leith area.