Pub Heritage H. P. Mather [Mathers West End]
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Edinburgh & The Lothians - Edinburgh
Three star - A pub interior of exceptional national historic importance
Listed Status: B
1 Queensferry StreetEdinburgh
EH2 4PA
Tel: (0131) 225 3549
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/1392573637667326
Real Ale: Yes
Nearby Station: Haymarket
Station Distance: 790m
Public Transport: Near Railway Station (Haymarket) and Bus Stop
Bus: Yes
View on: Whatpub
This high-ceilinged, single-room pub is little changed in over 100 years. It is on the ground floor of a five-storey building, designed in 1900 by Sydney Mitchell & Wilson for the National Commercial Bank of Scotland and the Caledonian United Services Club. The wine merchant Hugh Mather took over and established the licensed premises in 1902. In the porch there is floor-to-ceiling tiling and, within the pub itself, the counter is original (but new top) as are the half-height panelling, ceiling and rich frieze. The great feature is the towering gantry: its
central parts are original although the side portions have been added later, but it is not easy to spot the joins! This was perhaps in 1956 when plans were drawn up to remove a small snug in the rear left-hand corner. The walls are adorned by a number of old brewery mirrors. A change in the 1960s relocated the ladies’ toilet from the rear right corner to downstairs. An old water engine which dispensed beer by air pressure is still in existence and may be viewed on request.
This high-ceilinged, male-dominated, single-room pub is little changed in over 100 years. It is located on the ground floor of a five-storey red ashlar building, designed in 1900 by Sydney Mitchell & Wilson for the National Commercial Bank of Scotland (entrance on the corner of Shandwick Place) and the Caledonian United Services Club (on first and second floors). The wine merchant Hugh Mather, established the licensed premises in 1902. A ground floor refacing in 1938-40 by Tarbolton & Ochterlony added a reddish polished stone below the windows. The two deeply moulded broad arch front windows have multi-beveled glass panes.
The good quality early 20th century decorative scheme by Sidney Mitchell remains largely intact. Within the vestibule entrance porch is colourful floor-to-ceiling tiling. The original ceiling-height finely carved gantry has segmental-arched pediments to side, split pediment to centre with arches mirrors (some modern) between slender Ionic columns, and glazed cabinets below. In the 1980's two small ‘winged’ sections were added at the top of each end – produced by local firm Sutherland & Denholm. Only a couple of fridges have replaced part of the lower shelving. The original panelled bar counter has a new top and at each end of it are still-working water taps - whisky is the only spirit that can benefit from a little added water. The original tiled and wood surround fireplace has a mantelpiece featuring pilasters with an oval bevelled mirror, old dado panelling remains but the fixed seating is modern.
The room has an elaborate compartmented ceiling with deeply moulded cornice and fine plaster frieze of birds and swags of fruit picked out in cream on a claret background. The walls are adorned by a number of old brewery mirrors from Campbell’s, Edinburgh & Leith Brewery, Mackay's, McEwans and Wm Younger. The main change has been the removal in 1957 of a short glazed partition that created a small sitting room that was situated in the rear right corner. The seating in this area remained unchanged but a table and seating attached to the partition was lost. The part of the counter on the return was added as part of these changes. High up above this area are two doors and lattice windows behind which is a large fan. Above the staircase down to the present toilets is a large water tank (panelled over) that was required to create the pressure for the Scottish system of dispensing beer. The old water engine part of the system (one of the last remaining examples) is still in situ in the cellar and staff may allow you to inspect it at quiet times.
Full Description
The good quality early 20th century decorative scheme by Sidney Mitchell remains largely intact. Within the vestibule entrance porch is colourful floor-to-ceiling tiling. The original ceiling-height finely carved gantry has segmental-arched pediments to side, split pediment to centre with arches mirrors (some modern) between slender Ionic columns, and glazed cabinets below. In the 1980's two small ‘winged’ sections were added at the top of each end – produced by local firm Sutherland & Denholm. Only a couple of fridges have replaced part of the lower shelving. The original panelled bar counter has a new top and at each end of it are still-working water taps - whisky is the only spirit that can benefit from a little added water. The original tiled and wood surround fireplace has a mantelpiece featuring pilasters with an oval bevelled mirror, old dado panelling remains but the fixed seating is modern.
The room has an elaborate compartmented ceiling with deeply moulded cornice and fine plaster frieze of birds and swags of fruit picked out in cream on a claret background. The walls are adorned by a number of old brewery mirrors from Campbell’s, Edinburgh & Leith Brewery, Mackay's, McEwans and Wm Younger. The main change has been the removal in 1957 of a short glazed partition that created a small sitting room that was situated in the rear right corner. The seating in this area remained unchanged but a table and seating attached to the partition was lost. The part of the counter on the return was added as part of these changes. High up above this area are two doors and lattice windows behind which is a large fan. Above the staircase down to the present toilets is a large water tank (panelled over) that was required to create the pressure for the Scottish system of dispensing beer. The old water engine part of the system (one of the last remaining examples) is still in situ in the cellar and staff may allow you to inspect it at quiet times.
