33 amazing pictures that show Edinburgh’s rich brewing past

By The Newsroom
Published 31st Jan 2019, 14:43 GMT
Updated 31st Jan 2019, 15:45 GMT
Eric Morecambe and (left) Ernie Wise enjoy a pint of Tennent's lager with Erica, one of the 'can models' when they visited the Heriot brewery at Roseburn, Edinburgh, in 1978.Eric Morecambe and (left) Ernie Wise enjoy a pint of Tennent's lager with Erica, one of the 'can models' when they visited the Heriot brewery at Roseburn, Edinburgh, in 1978.
Eric Morecambe and (left) Ernie Wise enjoy a pint of Tennent's lager with Erica, one of the 'can models' when they visited the Heriot brewery at Roseburn, Edinburgh, in 1978.

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We take a look back at some of the amazing pictures in our archive of beer and whisky consumption, production and sales in the Capital.

From distilleries like Glenkinchie and North British to breweries like Usher’s and McEwan’s, Edinburgh has an incredibly rich history when it comes to beer and whisky.

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Vats and casks of whisky in the warehouse in Bath Street in Leith.Vats and casks of whisky in the warehouse in Bath Street in Leith.
Vats and casks of whisky in the warehouse in Bath Street in Leith.
Two workers shovelling coal into the boilers at the old McEwans Brewery in Fountainbridge.Two workers shovelling coal into the boilers at the old McEwans Brewery in Fountainbridge.
Two workers shovelling coal into the boilers at the old McEwans Brewery in Fountainbridge.
The Beer Bottling hall.The Beer Bottling hall.
The Beer Bottling hall.
Loading of whisky and beer at Leith docks.Loading of whisky and beer at Leith docks.
Loading of whisky and beer at Leith docks.
Workmen rolling barrels at Drybrough's Brewery at Craigmillar in 1955.The brewery closed in 1987 and the site was subsequently demolished and replaced by flats.Workmen rolling barrels at Drybrough's Brewery at Craigmillar in 1955.The brewery closed in 1987 and the site was subsequently demolished and replaced by flats.
Workmen rolling barrels at Drybrough's Brewery at Craigmillar in 1955.The brewery closed in 1987 and the site was subsequently demolished and replaced by flats.
The exterior of the brewery.The exterior of the brewery.
The exterior of the brewery.
The Brewery Horses in 1961.The Brewery Horses in 1961.
The Brewery Horses in 1961.
Casks in waiting.Casks in waiting.
Casks in waiting.
Grey Percheron horses pulling a dray delivering beer to a bar in George Street in May 1960.Grey Percheron horses pulling a dray delivering beer to a bar in George Street in May 1960.
Grey Percheron horses pulling a dray delivering beer to a bar in George Street in May 1960.
A Tennent's lorry has an accident on Leven Street in Tollcross Edinburgh.A Tennent's lorry has an accident on Leven Street in Tollcross Edinburgh.
A Tennent's lorry has an accident on Leven Street in Tollcross Edinburgh.
A beer tanker leaves the Holyrood depot in 1958A beer tanker leaves the Holyrood depot in 1958
A beer tanker leaves the Holyrood depot in 1958
Coopers tighten hasps on barrel of beer in St Leonards in 1957Coopers tighten hasps on barrel of beer in St Leonards in 1957
Coopers tighten hasps on barrel of beer in St Leonards in 1957
The floor maltings at Roseburn Terrace in 1957.The floor maltings at Roseburn Terrace in 1957.
The floor maltings at Roseburn Terrace in 1957.
Drinkers from The Diggers pub on Slateford Road were so upset that McEwans decided to cease production of their 80 Shilling drink that it prompted the pubs owners to have a new 80 shilling beer brewed.Drinkers from The Diggers pub on Slateford Road were so upset that McEwans decided to cease production of their 80 Shilling drink that it prompted the pubs owners to have a new 80 shilling beer brewed.
Drinkers from The Diggers pub on Slateford Road were so upset that McEwans decided to cease production of their 80 Shilling drink that it prompted the pubs owners to have a new 80 shilling beer brewed.
Lord Provost Kenneth Borthwick, in Tyrolean hat with feather, conducts the band at the Munich Beer Festival in Princes Street gardens, July 1979, commemorating 50 years of Edinburgh being twinned with Munich.Lord Provost Kenneth Borthwick, in Tyrolean hat with feather, conducts the band at the Munich Beer Festival in Princes Street gardens, July 1979, commemorating 50 years of Edinburgh being twinned with Munich.
Lord Provost Kenneth Borthwick, in Tyrolean hat with feather, conducts the band at the Munich Beer Festival in Princes Street gardens, July 1979, commemorating 50 years of Edinburgh being twinned with Munich.
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