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.

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.

Happened on this social club when out and about on Leith Festival Gala day. Visitors were welcome…read moreand we were signed in at the gate. The interior was a bit dated but clean and well maintained. There is a beer garden to the front various rooms inside and an outdoor smoking area to the rear. There was a disco in one of the function rooms, presumably for the youngsters. It was reasonably quiet when we arrived but getting busy when we left as people were starting to drift over from Leith Links. Pricers were reasonable and there were special offers on many drinks. We were made to feel welcome and the staff were friendly.

hello was in this place to find out prices to hire for a party whent in the the building and spoke…read moreto a ladie at the front bar she was very help full she asked me to go up the stair and talk to the man at the top bar so i did , then this is where my feeling towards the place was recked !!! i waited and saw a man behind the bar serving a custamer . then for some reson the man behind the bar said to me hey you your not getting served , i said i dont whant served i was just wanting to ask a question and he replayed no no no no very angray , i was very imbarased by his actions i could not belive the ironie of this man !! i said excuse me i dont want a drink im traying to ask you about hireing your hall he just said na na cant happen TO ALL IF YOUR NOT A MEMBER YOU WILL GET VERY BAD CUSTEMAR SERVISE but the thing about it as my family and friend are members !!!! so there lose