Ghillie Dhu

I feel like I completely missed 99.9% of this place…
I met a few fellow social media hounds for a whisky here a few weeks back. The public bar is pretty standard really but they had Auchentoshan Three Wood at a reasonable price, so I tip the hat to that. The service was a little lacking, considering that we were one of three tables at the start of the evening and it was full to the brim by the time we left, so it meant a little awkward dancing at the end of the bar to get attention and our bill.
I’ll save the next two stars for when I try the food and the second I get to set food into that spectacular event space. For now, it’s simply a standard sort of bar with a standard sort of bar list — nothing to snub your nose at but nothing spectacular either.

Huge.
This fukin spot is huge.
And all glam’d out.
You have to stop in here to grab a pint and just soak in the ambiance.
Huge.

Real coil looking spot, vibe and décor is nice… but the food selection is not that great. The bartender wasn’t that helpful either. Not sure if I’d make it a point to go back if I’m in the area again.

Our regular steak & ale pub was out so we stopped in here for Sunday lunch. Their steak and ale pie was great. Two light eaters could share it. Its also a good place to nip in for a pint with friends. Its a pretty good sized pub. Bön Appetit!

Here on vacation.
Not real friendly… I guess we where the tourists.
Beers too expensive compared to the pubs.
Food too salty. Not a great experience.
They out a reserved sign on the table at 6:30 to reserve the table for 7:30. Did not tell us we had to move.
½ the table showed at 7:44. Not really sure what that was about.
Will not visit next round.

I had a voucher for 2 brunches for £7 instead of £14. We called ahead and booked a table and got the cutest wee booth with a little hatch to the bar which we got drinks passed through.
I really like the feel of the place. I have been to events upstairs but this was my first experience of the public bar.
We have friends in the USA who are planning a trip to Scotland and this is definitely somewhere we will be bringing them. It is full of charm and decent food and surroundings.
I had the veggie breakfast which had veggie haggis, beans, potato scone, mushrooms, scrambled eggs, fried bread and toast. My husband had a regular Scottish breakfast which had haggis and bacon too.
The latte was very smooth and had a little design in the foam on top.
I really liked it here and I will certainly be back.
Make sure your not in a rush as not the quickest but very tasty.

This rating is overall, based on all the times I’ve been to Ghillie Dhu. Because based on today, it would only be one or two. The quality of the food itself is great and the drinks are tasty and reasonably-​priced, but it’s the service that varies a lot. Today I went in to have a drink and a snack with a friend before catching my train. We each has a glass of wine and two sides just to munch while we drank and chatted. The mac and cheese side was delicious albeit smaller than expected, but we didn’t quite get the other side that we ordered.
We asked for chips with garlic mayo, the server took our order, and eventually came back with chips and a coleslaw. I asked where the garlic mayo was and was told ‘Oh I’m sorry, we are out of mayo today’. Excuse me? Then tell me that when I order because I hate coleslaw. We might have ordered something else had we known.
Then later on we asked for the bill right as another server cleared the plates because it was starting to cut close to my train time…12 minutes passed and no bill. I had to go up to the bar to ask for it. It wasn’t a super busy time, I was there late Sunday afternoon. Maybe it was just a bad day.
This is not to deter you from going to Ghillie Dhu. The place inside is gorgeous, especially the upstairs hall. And it’s always fun for a dinner or after work drink. Just don’t expect consistency with the service.

Solid 3 stars for the moment. I was here during the day for an event which was paid upfront so there was no buying drinks at the bar (there were plenty of free ones). Staff I did speak to for clean glasses, etc were friendly and helpful. Toilets — clean and perfectly ok, though appeared to be at least two flights down so any drunker/​in heels, this might be more than just a little bit of an issue.
So, all in all, ok and will review again next time I’m there…

We were there because of a wine tasting event and it was one of a kind. The coordinator for the Wine with a View event was Nikki from Convivium wine.
The establishment is very old, mystic and therefore intriguing for somebody who likes the old. You needed to go up a spiral staircase to reach the first floor landing. There we entered a hall which had the interior features of a church. Lovely layout.
Over 60 bottles made their way into the «wine with a view «selection. You got it all. Sparkling champagne, prosecco, whisky, port, cocktails, the red and the white wine selection. Prices ranged from a tenner up to hundreds…
Make a pick and buy what you fancy.
If you leave a star on a bottle you indicate what you fancy and might have gotten a bit more to taste.
NIKKI is arranging these types of events at least ones a month and the canapes that come with it are amazing. They really bring out the taste of either the red or the white wine.
Can’t wait for another wine tube map event at the Bön Vivant Companion.

hmm i think Ghillie Dhu is a bit of a mixed bag for me. I’ve been here a handful of times and while each time it’s been fine, i don’t find that it stands out much compared to the other bars in this area. on a friday night, i arrived after midnight with the girls looking for a wee boogie and some more drinks. the bar downstairs was rather sparse, which surprised me because it was friday night! we managed to easily grab a big round table to sit down at and order a round of drinks. there was some live music, but this ended shortly after we arrived.
after a round of drinks a few of us headed upstairs to go for a dance. while the actual space upstairs is seriously nice (very gothic and such) i felt like the whole disco was almost like a high school dance. there was a good number of people, but loads of young boys (sorry maybe i’m getting old!!) which made me feel a bit out of place. think there was loads of students as well, which just so is not my scene anymore! my friends and i enjoyed a bit of a dance, but after finishing another round of drinks we decided it would be best to call it a night.
so A-​OK is probably the best way i’d sum of Ghillie Dhu. the drinks are reasonably priced and it’s nice to be able to find a seat on a friday night, but i don’t think this place is anything special really. i’d probably look for some place next time i’m out.

I wish I was writing a positive review for this place, as our fantastic LOCAL tour guide said it was a nice, local pub. However, my husband and I were completely snubbed. There were lots of empty tables and yet we sat and sat. I finally went to the bar and asked the bartender (there were 3 staff hanging out there) if the kitchen was open and if we needed to order at the bar? He said, «no, I’ll get someone to be right with you». Ten minutes later… we were still waiting when a decent enough looking couple sat at the table next to us and were immediately waited upon. Huh? OK, so I wasn’t decked out as I had just returned from a 12 hour tour (dropping plenty of cash in this city and beyond), but I was clean and presentable, as was my husband, whose conference had just completed for the day. We were flat out snubbed.
We’ll be sure to let our fellow conference goers know it’s not the place to leave our money. I’m also going to catch our tour guide and let him know he shouldn’t be recommending this place (I’ll do that in a nice way, as I think he’ll feel awful). With 5 days left in this city, we were hoping to find a place that could be a meeting spot for our group. Oh, and I’m a fabulous tipper, too.
Way to judge poorly, Ghillie Dhu.
UPDATE: I contacted the manager via website after our visit, simply to let them know of the poor service. In their defense, he invited my husband and I back for a complimentary meal. However, we opted to visit some other places with the time we had left. I don’t think I could have written an impartial review after our first visit. I do, however, appreciate that they extended the offer and wanted to to try make it right.

I suppose it entirely depends on what you want. As an event location, the upstairs makes a fantastic conference room. It’s a stunningly beautiful building, both inside and out.
The problem is at night when it turns in to just another bar and upstairs becomes a dance floor. The type of people who show up are obnoxious and I couldn’t wait to leave. Loud music and seems to be couger town!
So I’m giving it 3 stars for what it normally is but I will add that as a conference location, it’s hard to not give it 5 stars!

We were anxious to only eat authentic British/​Scotish foods while visiting Edinburgh. At one time, fish and chips were as popular as hamburgers in the USA .So I figured with limited time/​meals at our disposal, go for the best.
I asked a Scotish tour guide for her recommendation and she said «Ghillie Dhu.»
After eating here, I suspect a payoff was involved…

This place is almost hidden from the out side but is actually really big inside.
The bar area is very rustic and has lots of space for large groups to chill out. Food looks alright with lots of pub staples like Steak Pie, Fish and Chips and Sausage and Mash. They also have a large veggie selection too. Now everyone knows I am a pretty big pie fan and I have tried a few in my time but I have to say their steak Pie was to die for seriously you should try it now. My friends veggie pastry thing was a bit disappointing though so I am going to go for 3 stars based on that and a slightly offputting toilet smell on the day.
They also have after work deals with prosecco for £15 which was rather a nice treat indeed!
Up a windy candlelit staircase they have a lovely events space for weddings and gigs. It has a really high vaulted ceiling with purple lighting, lots of sparkly mirrors and an old church organ which makes it look really amazing when it is done up for an evening. There are long benches to sit on and they hold regular ceilidhs too.
Good for a drink and a dance and I would recommend it for a fun night out learning your strip the willow!

I went to the Ghillie Dhu last night for a friend’s birthday, assuming it was just a pub. Not just a pub… I absolutely loved it!
Situated on Rutland street, Ghillie Dhu is really central and easy to get to. Inside is all wooden, and it looks very clean. That seems like a weird word, but it looks new and well kept. I headed straight up the windy, candle lit stair case to a stunning ballroom. You’re in the roof — huge coved ceilings with purple spotlights and tiered candle lights. Long benches and tables line the room and the dance floor and band are at the end. The band are a ceilidh band.
I found drinks to be a little steep but you do find that in nice places in Edinburgh. I had a great knees-​up at Ghillie Dhu and recommend it for a night out!
Oh, and the toilets are LOVELY.

Neither myself or my 2 Irish flatmates had any plans for St Patrick’s Day, so the day before, we decided it would be nice to do something. The Ghillie Dhu was advertising Irish stew, Guinness, Irish dancing and music — all for £15, so I rang up and booked in for it. However, we got none of what was advertised! When we got there, they sat us in a nice cosy booth, but that seemed odd since we were expecting to be able to see some entertainment. When they brought us a 3 course menu, we said that we were there for the St Patrick’s Day Irish Stew, Guinness etc. We were told there was a muck up with the marketing. Apparently they were going to have it in the upstairs function room, but it got canned as not enough people booked. Would have been nice of them to update their website, especially when I only phoned to book in the night before! However we instead ordered 2 courses for £8.95. We all ordered the Salmon. I enjoyed the veges and the sauce, and the salmon itself was just OK; could have done with a splash of lemon juice or something. For dessert, my flatmates just ordered ice-​cream, but I ordered the vanilla and chocolate cheesecake with berry compote. When it arrived, it was 2 big triangles, so a substantial helping. However the chocolate part of the cheesecake was obviously white chocolate, which I would not have ordered if it had said that on the menu as you would expect! I could not taste either vanilla or white chocolate anyway, so it was very bland. At least the biscuit base and berry compote was nice.
The service was laid back, but satisfactory
Enjoyed several glasses of red wine and some good chat with flatmates, But overall, very disappointed with the situation and my dessert. I would not go back for dinner.

I’ve only been here once, so I don’t know if this is a common problem or they were having a particularly off night, but the service was ridiculously, unacceptably slow. It was not a big crowd; several of the tables around us were empty, even. Drinks took so long that we began to doubt whether we had ordered them at all. Drinks ordered at the same time sometimes arrived 10 minutes apart (and these were not complicated, umbrellaed drinks — just beers and ciders and sodas).
The cheese plate I ordered was fine. I’m guessing it consisted of young, fresh cheeses when my order went in, but by the time it arrived at the table they were all nicely aged. The person sitting next to me (who shall remain nameless) ordered the fishiest fish pie that I ever did smell.
The waiter, when we did see him, was friendly enough. Plus I think he was the first kilted waiter we’ve had in Edinburgh, which seems like some sort of important cultural milestone, right? Or maybe not.
I feel like Ghillie Dhu has the potential to be much better than 2 stars, but not for the experience we had last night.

Loads of space during a schoolday or evening. At all other times it is packed. Apart from the free wifi this place doesn’t work for me. It is not the cheapest place. I think it is mostly suitable for large groups. (with a massive kitty between them). Somehow this place is very loud! Can’t find anything really wrong nor good so 3 stars from me.

Ok so my only experience here was for a Christmas night out with work, so not exactly your standard Ghillie Dhu night out.
First impressions — the upstairs is very impressive. until you realise there are no toilets upstairs and you need to go out into the baltic and drunkenly dangerous stairway to go into the hot, smelly, cramped downstairs bar to find a toilet. Boo.
Despite the number of Christmas parties being hosted upstairs, the bar was surprisingly wide open, though it amazingly still took ages to get served (a Staropramen costing over £4)… and of course then we discovered that drinks downstairs are cheaper.
Skint by the end of the meal, I left just as the ceilidh was starting. To be exact, we were punted off our table before we finished our desserts so they could setup the ceilidh, so I left then.
All in all, not an experience I will be jumping to replicate any time soon.

The Ghillie Dhu meets all sorts of requirements for me… Saturday night out, Wednesday night meal with Mum… Sunday fry up… all under one roof.
They have done so well since opening to cover a whole range of clientel in the guise of a Scottish bar, a weirdly novel idea!
The fry ups are gooood, the fish and chips are goood and the Saturday night band is gooood! All in all I am a huge fan of the GD.
Also worth mention is there Sunday night live music, they have some great regular acts that come in.