The Booking Office Visited

Photos

Local Area

A sneaky extra pub visit on the way back from Caitlin & Keiran's wedding. Off the LNER into Waverley on the 25th, three days after the airport Spoons on the way down, and this one's sitting on the bridge right above the station. Waverley Bridge is the hinge between the two Edinburghs: Old Town up the ridge to the south, New Town across Princes Street to the north, and the railway in the dip where the Nor' Loch used to be. That was the old defensive water under the castle; they drained it and the valley became Princes Street Gardens plus a very large station. From the door you're looking west over the gardens to the Scott Monument, the soot-black Gothic spike they finished in 1846, and the Balmoral on the corner of Princes Street – the old North British Station Hotel – with the clock still a few minutes fast so folk catch their trains. North Bridge does the same spanning job at the other end of the station, high over the platforms.

The Pub

The pub: The Booking Office located on Waverley Bridge in Edinburgh, placing it at the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town and New Town divide (a UNESCO World Heritage site). Originally the building, and it's grade A listed façade, served as the Waverley Station Parcels Office for the North British Railway Company. Waverley Station, which is right next door, is named after Sir Walter Scott’s novels with the Sir Walter Scott pub at Edinburgh Airport being visited on the way down to the wedding (pub 13). Toilets down a flight of stairs. Staff in Wetherspoons were OK, these city centre train station pubs have no vibe / regulars, just folks coming and going.

Football Team

The closest professional football club to The Booking Office is Heart of Midlothian FC (Hearts) which we covered as part of the Sir Walter Scott visit (pub 13).

Travel

Busses there: Stagecoach X4 from Corby to Peterborough, LNER Azuma choo choo from Peterborough to Edinburgh Waverley. Busses back: ScotRail choo choo Edinburgh Waverley to Partick.

Beers

Beer Quaffed: Stewart Brewing Pentland IPA priced at £3.35. Pentland is a nice pint, classed as floral and fruity, scoring a solid 4/5, on my normal scoring. Stewart Brewing is one of Edinburgh's most successful craft breweries. Based in Loanhead, just south of the capital, it was founded in 2004. They combine traditional Scottish real-ale brewing with modern craft innovations—including running a custom-built brewhouse and Scotland's first "Brew-It-Yourself" Craft Beer Kitchen. Pentland IPA (3.9% ABV) is named after the Pentland Hills regional park that frames the southern backdrop of Edinburgh. Pentland IPA is one of Stewart Brewing's most enduring flagship session pale ales. It bridges the gap between traditional Scottish cask pale ales and modern hop-forward styles and is Certified Gluten-Free. Tasting Notes; pours a clear, pale straw-gold with a bright white head. Features subtle citrus zest, light floral notes, and a touch of tropical fruit aromas over a clean, biscuity malt backbone. Finishes dry with a moderate, refreshing bitterness. Food Pairings; Pub Fare, Lightly Spiced Dishes and Cheeses.