What is the history of the last drop in Edinburgh?

Contact. The Last Drop is named such, as this was the place where condemned prisoners could have a last drink before going to the gallows, which stood in front of the pub.

What is The Last Drop Edinburgh history?

The Last Drop sits in Edinburgh's Grassmarket district. The Grassmarket was a small open space where local farmers brought their hay and other produce for sale. It was also the location of one of the main gallows in the city and crowds would flock in huge numbers to see the public executions.

What is the history of The Last Drop?

Our history

The Last Drop Distillers was founded in 2008 by two icons of the spirits industry, Tom Jago and James Espey OBE. Their aim was to curate the world's most remarkable spirits, finding treasures across different spirit categories and sharing them with those who seek the genuinely extraordinary.

When was the last hanging in Edinburgh?

Although the Grassmarket's infamy as the site of public execution stretches back over 300 years, the final hanging in Edinburgh of a convicted criminal is, perhaps surprisingly, within living memory: 23rd June 1954.

What is the darkest underground history in Edinburgh?

The Edinburgh Dungeon is the ultimate underground journey through Edinburgh's darkest history, using live actors, theatrical sets and thrilling rides.

The Ghosts of Edinburgh's Pubs: The White Hart, Last Drop, Thomas Weir, Mitre, Tolbooth Tavern

What is the lost city under Edinburgh?

Descend into a section of Edinburgh's legendary Underground City, where a population once lived in utter misery. Forgotten for centuries and only recently unsealed, this part of the vaults is known as Damnation Alley.

What is the secret village in Edinburgh?

Dean Village. Situated five minutes away from Princes Street, visitors can find the Dean Village, a beautiful oasis right by the Water of Leith. Dean Village was previously where milling of water mills took place, of which remains of this can still be seen by visitors.

Why is it called Grassmarket Edinburgh?

Grassmarket Edinburgh History

At that time the street was around half the length it is now. The market took place at one end, and the horses and cattle grazed on the grass pasture at the other. It's thought that is how the area got its name. From the 1800s onwards the area became a refuge for immigrants to the City.

Where was the last person to be hanged in the UK?

At 8am on 13 August 1964, two men, convicted just a few weeks earlier of murder, were led to the gallows at separate prisons in Manchester and Liverpool. No one involved knew it at the time, but Gwynne Evans and Peter Allen were the last executions before capital punishment was abolished in Britain.

Where did they used to hang people in Edinburgh?

The Grassmarket was also a traditional place of public executions. A memorial near the site once occupied by the gibbet was created by public subscription in 1937. It commemorates over 100 Covenanters who died on the gallows between 1661 and 1688 during the period known as The Killing Time.

Who owns Last Drop?

The company's profile and commercial success eventually drew the interest of Sazerac Company Inc of New Orleans, owner of Buffalo Trace Bourbon, which acquired Last Drop Distillers in 2016.

How old is The Last Drop pub?

Welcome to The Last Drop, an historic pub in Edinburgh

As a British brand with a heritage of 150+ years, we pride ourselves on our position as purveyors of perfect pints and unbeatable pies, with tempting dishes on our British pub classic menus.

What product was good to The Last Drop?

In 1915, Cheek-Neal began using a "Good to the last drop" slogan to advertise their Maxwell House Coffee. For several years, the ads made no claim of Theodore Roosevelt being the originator of the phrase. The company was then sold to General Foods which took over the Maxwell House brand in 1925.

What is the oldest thing in Edinburgh?

St Margaret's Chapel, in Edinburgh Castle, is the oldest surviving building in Edinburgh, Scotland. An example of Romanesque architecture, it is a category A listed building. It was constructed in the 12th century, but fell into disuse after the Reformation.

What is the iconic failure of Edinburgh?

Edinburgh's most iconic failure cost £16,000 to abandon in 1829. Architects designed the National Monument of Scotland on Calton Hill, a volcanic hill with some of the best city views. The goal was to honor Scottish soldiers and sailors killed in the Napoleonic Wars.

What's happening in Edinburgh in 2025?

What is the ghost story in Edinburgh?

There's probably no Edinburgh ghost story more famous than the Mackenzie Poltergeist. While alive, he was George Mackenzie, otherwise known as Bluidy Mackenzie due to his ruthless punishment of religious Covenanters.

What is the most haunted pub in Edinburgh?

Set in Edinburgh's underground vaults beneath the bridges right in the heart of Old Town, The Banshee Labyrinth has a history as old as Edinburgh. Learn more about our ties to the infamous Lord Nichol Edwards, or find out how The Banshee Labyrinth got its name.

What is the secret RF Edinburgh?

Are you searching for a powerful treatment to rejuvenate your skin without surgery? At The Stockbridge Clinic in Edinburgh, we proudly offer Secret RF microneedling, a groundbreaking solution combining microneedling with radiofrequency (RF) energy to smooth, tighten, and refresh your skin from within.

Why is Mary King's close underground?

Today, Mary King's Close is an underground village, but it wasn't always like that. That happened somewhere during the 1750's when the Town Council wanted to build “a covered place of exchange”. That would keep the merchants off the streets from around Mercat Cross and St. Giles.

What is the old Edinburgh Asylum?

Originally called the Edinburgh Lunatic Asylum, the hospital opened in 1813, initially for patients whose families could afford to pay. The West House, designed by William Burn, opened in 1842, for poor patients, and taking over the care of the city's Bedlam inmates in 1844.

What is the oldest street in Edinburgh?

Drygate is said to be the oldest thoroughfare in the city. The street was named the priest's road. The word dry derives from Germany and is the name by which every German priest was called. A house was erected on Drygate during the reign of Robert the Third in the 14th century.

Where were witches executed in Edinburgh?

The open ground between Edinburgh Castle and the built-up area was Edinburgh's main execution site. It is now called the Esplanade but was then known as 'Castle Hill'. Castle Hill was the most prominent execution site for accused witches in Scotland.

Did people live underground in Edinburgh?

The vaults also served as additional slum housing for the city's poor. Living conditions were appalling. The rooms were cramped, dark and damp. There was no sunlight, poorly circulated air, no running water, and no sanitation.

What is Grassmarket Edinburgh famous for?

The Grassmarket has been an important gathering place for over 500 years, overlooked by Edinburgh Castle. Some of the city's oldest hostelries are located here, and past visitors include Robert Burns, William Wordsworth and Burke and Hare.