Image - Anchor Inn, August 2017 © Queensfrry History Group
The Anchor Inn dates from 1886 and is based at No: 10 Edinburgh Road, South Queensferry, in an area of Queensferry known in valuation rolls as ‘East Suburbs’ and ‘Beyond the Royalty’, being just outside the Royalty Boundary (see map below).
1916/17 Ordnance Survey Map showing Queensferry Burgh Boundary in red and the Royal Burgh Boundary in blue. (Small area in middle of red area) © Queensferry History Group
It is believed to be the oldest “Pub” in Queensferry (not being a “hotel”), and is definitely the smallest ‘pub’ in Queensferry, a traditional village pub who offers a range of real ales, beers, wines and spirits along with some good old fashioned pub grub for you to enjoy.
“Banquette seating surrounds the room and a high shelf is adorned with sporting trophies. The pub has a friendly atmosphere and visitors are made welcome. Traditional board games, including dominoes, are often played and occasionally there is live music”. (whatpub.com)
“Banquette seating surrounds the room and a high shelf is adorned with sporting trophies. The pub has a friendly atmosphere and visitors are made welcome. Traditional board games, including dominoes, are often played and occasionally there is live music”. (whatpub.com)
Images above by Norrie Work 2014, with kind permission.
Valuation Rolls name the proprietor from 1894 until 1914 as James Wight, a Grocer and Wine Merchant living in Hartington Place, Edinburgh. According to the 1894/5 Valuation Roll he was also proprietor and occupant of a Shop and Cellar (No: 12, which is now part of Maurizios) and proprietor of a House and Billiard Room (either No: 8 or 16) around the same area as the ‘Anchor’ which is named ‘The Anchor Restaurant’.
The publican tenant during 1894 - 1901 was William Chisolm who was also tenant of the House and Billiard Room mentioned above.
In the 1898 -1904 valuation roll, James Wight, now of Maitland Street, (moving to Shandwick place by 1903), was letting his shop and cellar to tenant James Orr, a Grocer, born in Leith in 1875.
The publican tenant during 1894 - 1901 was William Chisolm who was also tenant of the House and Billiard Room mentioned above.
In the 1898 -1904 valuation roll, James Wight, now of Maitland Street, (moving to Shandwick place by 1903), was letting his shop and cellar to tenant James Orr, a Grocer, born in Leith in 1875.
Image: Ship of the Union Castle Line who traded with South Africa
By the 1901 census, the Anchor Bar is now let to publican Ewen Cameron, aged 30, born in Inverness. He married Mary Brown in Larbert in 1901, but she is not with him while he is boarding with the Ruthven family in No 9 Edinburgh Road, which is a house and shop. Mr Ruthven, born in Queensferry, was a Saddler, working from home.
Ewens wife, listed as ‘a Publican’s Wife’ is living at this time with the Simpson Family in Larbert, her sister Helen was married to John Simpson.
In August 1903 the Gazette reported that Ewen was leaving to go to South Africa. “Naval men will regret to hear that Mr. Ewen Cameron, the genial proprietor of the Anchor Bar will shortly leave Queensferry for South Africa.
During his stay here Mr. Cameron has made himself universally popular. A gentleman of great affability and exceedingly good-hearted, he made himself the friend of all, and his excellent manner and gentlemanly bearing particularly endeared him to those on board ship. There is many a bluejacket and marine, now absent from Queensferry who revered Mr. Cameron and on returning to the town will deplore the fact that he is gone from our midst.
He is going to the land of the gold mines, and should he, as a result of his well-known industry and business aptitude, annex as much of the precious metal as to make him a millionaire, he will remember Queensferry which is not well blessed with amenities. He is wished bon voyage from everyone when he leaves in a few weeks”. (He can't be found on Emigration lists to South Africa, Did he actually get there?)
Ewens wife, listed as ‘a Publican’s Wife’ is living at this time with the Simpson Family in Larbert, her sister Helen was married to John Simpson.
In August 1903 the Gazette reported that Ewen was leaving to go to South Africa. “Naval men will regret to hear that Mr. Ewen Cameron, the genial proprietor of the Anchor Bar will shortly leave Queensferry for South Africa.
During his stay here Mr. Cameron has made himself universally popular. A gentleman of great affability and exceedingly good-hearted, he made himself the friend of all, and his excellent manner and gentlemanly bearing particularly endeared him to those on board ship. There is many a bluejacket and marine, now absent from Queensferry who revered Mr. Cameron and on returning to the town will deplore the fact that he is gone from our midst.
He is going to the land of the gold mines, and should he, as a result of his well-known industry and business aptitude, annex as much of the precious metal as to make him a millionaire, he will remember Queensferry which is not well blessed with amenities. He is wished bon voyage from everyone when he leaves in a few weeks”. (He can't be found on Emigration lists to South Africa, Did he actually get there?)
Notice the remains of the fitting for the Anchor Bar sign still above the Anchor Inn today. It can be seen in use in image below.
John MacFarlane was publican tenant from around 1905 until 1911, with his name above the door. The Anchor is known as the Anchor Bar by then but alos known as "The Cyclists Rest". John MacFarlane was born in Perthshire in 1860. He was a Spirit Salesman when he married Maggie Wilkie in 1895, aged 37 and they were living in Rankeillor Street, Edinburgh. He was a Barman living in Gorgie Road, Edinburgh in 1898 when his oldest child, son Alex, was born and by the 1911 census he was a Spirit Merchant, living in 9 Edinburgh Road, Queensferry, with his wife and 2 children.
In 1907/1908 Valuation, James Wight still Proprietor, now living in Greenside, Grantshouse, Duns, let his house at No: 16, to David Reid, a Forrester, and the cellar to George Mackay, a Grocer.
In 1907/1908 Valuation, James Wight still Proprietor, now living in Greenside, Grantshouse, Duns, let his house at No: 16, to David Reid, a Forrester, and the cellar to George Mackay, a Grocer.
Image C 1905-1911: old photo says J Macfarlane over window (on left) with sign saying Anchor Bar (above). © Queensferry History Group
Image roughly same era comparing rents in Valuation Rolls © Queensferry History Group
The proprietors from 1915 until 1943 were brothers John (born 1893) and David Davidson (born 1895) in High Street, Queensferry. David was a Grocer, living in 5 High Street, and by 1922 they are living in 5 Springwell Terrace, Queensferry. They were owners of No: 8 (house), No: 10 (Anchor Bar), No: 12 (shop and cellar,) and No: 16 (house,) Edinburgh Road, which were all let to tenants. They are now all category C listed buildings. Their father, John was a Master Butcher who died in Springwell Terrace, Queensferry, in 1936, aged 86 years.
Image: D Davidson's Shop, No: 12, now part of Maurizios ©Queensferry History Group
No's: 12 and 14, now Maurizios second Queensferry Fish and Chip Shop
Archibald Stewart was the publican tenant of the Anchor Inn from 1911 until 1930.
An Archibald Stewart is in the 1911 census living in Dalry Road, with wife Henrietta, he is a Spirit Trade Merchant. As a Wine and Spirit Merchant, living in Blackhall, he died in 1933, aged 51. His wife Henrietta died in 1961 aged 75. Perhaps this is the same person.
Another Archibald, Archibald Wood, was Publican from 1931 until 1933 when he became “incapacitated”.
On 21st April 1933 the Gazette reported “William Mackie, Newhalls Cottage applied as a new tenant for the public house certificate of the Anchor Bar.
Mr. Mackie's solicitor reported that the current licensee Mr. Archibald Wood was incapacitated and could not continue. The premises were satisfactory and business was well conducted and Mr. Mackie had 25 years of experience in the trade. The application was unanimously granted”. An Archibald Wood, Spirit Merchant Manager, of Leith Walk, died in the Western General Hospital in 1933. This may be the same person.
An Archibald Stewart is in the 1911 census living in Dalry Road, with wife Henrietta, he is a Spirit Trade Merchant. As a Wine and Spirit Merchant, living in Blackhall, he died in 1933, aged 51. His wife Henrietta died in 1961 aged 75. Perhaps this is the same person.
Another Archibald, Archibald Wood, was Publican from 1931 until 1933 when he became “incapacitated”.
On 21st April 1933 the Gazette reported “William Mackie, Newhalls Cottage applied as a new tenant for the public house certificate of the Anchor Bar.
Mr. Mackie's solicitor reported that the current licensee Mr. Archibald Wood was incapacitated and could not continue. The premises were satisfactory and business was well conducted and Mr. Mackie had 25 years of experience in the trade. The application was unanimously granted”. An Archibald Wood, Spirit Merchant Manager, of Leith Walk, died in the Western General Hospital in 1933. This may be the same person.
Image: Anchor Bar advert in 1933 Ferry Fair Programme.© Queensferry History Group
In April 1946 the Gazette listed license applications, and for the Anchor Bar was Percy Faulkner of Priory House, Queensferry. J and D Davidson were still the Proprietors. A Percy Faulkner of Rosebery Avenue, Retired Barman, died in 1959 in the Western General Hospital, aged 65. Survived by his wife Edith.
At the same time as the license application, there was also an application for renewal of transferred certificate of the Anchor Bar by Mrs Janet Shapley, of Ambleside Cottage, Queensferry, widow of Samuel Shapley, a Publican (presumably of the Anchor Bar). Janet was Samuels’ second wife. His first wife, Williamina, died in January 1943 and he married Janet in May 1944. They only had 2 years of married life together, as Samuel died of Heart Failure in the Forth Bridge Hotel, in March 1946, aged 63. Janet died in Newington in 1982 aged 98.
At the same time as the license application, there was also an application for renewal of transferred certificate of the Anchor Bar by Mrs Janet Shapley, of Ambleside Cottage, Queensferry, widow of Samuel Shapley, a Publican (presumably of the Anchor Bar). Janet was Samuels’ second wife. His first wife, Williamina, died in January 1943 and he married Janet in May 1944. They only had 2 years of married life together, as Samuel died of Heart Failure in the Forth Bridge Hotel, in March 1946, aged 63. Janet died in Newington in 1982 aged 98.
Image: D Davidson's advert in the 1950 Ferry Fair Programme. © Queensferry History Group
More recent Prorietors and Publicans include -
1963/64 – Proprietors, British Linen Bank Ltd (Nominees). Tenant –Scottish Brewers ltd - Publican, Ian Spowart
1970/71 – Proprietors British Linen Bank Ltd (nominees). Tenant - Peter Philp
1980/ 83 - Proprietor -Alan Stewart - Alan remained in Queensferry, living in Plewlands House with his mother until both moved to Orkney some time mid to late 80s. Alan recently passed away in, Orkney.
1963/64 – Proprietors, British Linen Bank Ltd (Nominees). Tenant –Scottish Brewers ltd - Publican, Ian Spowart
1970/71 – Proprietors British Linen Bank Ltd (nominees). Tenant - Peter Philp
1980/ 83 - Proprietor -Alan Stewart - Alan remained in Queensferry, living in Plewlands House with his mother until both moved to Orkney some time mid to late 80s. Alan recently passed away in, Orkney.
Image from 1981 Ferry Fair Programme
1984/ 85 - Proprietor - Hammy Miller
Image from 1984 Ferry Fair Programme
In the late 1980’s he was followed by Alistair and Marion Maclennan. They created “The 39 Steps” Restaurant upstairs in what would have been the upstairs lounge and Billiard /Snooker Room. Alistair and Marion also took over the Sealscraig Hotel while running the Anchor Bar and 'The 39 Steps' Restaurant.
The next proprietor of the Anchor Inn was Brian Hawkins, who converted 'The 39 Steps' into a Pierre Victoire Franchise which he sublet, and eventually closed. He then converted the upstairs into flats, which they still are.
Around 1998 – Brian sold the Anchor to Frank & Carol Brown. Frank had experience as barman and Manager of the Anchor, over many years at various times.
The next proprietor of the Anchor Inn was Brian Hawkins, who converted 'The 39 Steps' into a Pierre Victoire Franchise which he sublet, and eventually closed. He then converted the upstairs into flats, which they still are.
Around 1998 – Brian sold the Anchor to Frank & Carol Brown. Frank had experience as barman and Manager of the Anchor, over many years at various times.
Image from 1989 Ferry Fair Programme
Frank later sold the Anchor to Edinburgh Publican Kenny McLean, who still owns the property.
Since then it has been run as a lease by a series of lesse’s including a Marie ? (Does anyone know her surname please?), then Denise Young, followed by Derek Service.
Since then it has been run as a lease by a series of lesse’s including a Marie ? (Does anyone know her surname please?), then Denise Young, followed by Derek Service.
Around 2011, Diana Davidson and her partner Baz were the publicans.
From around 2012 the publicans were Linda Thomson and her partner James Martin
From around 2012 the publicans were Linda Thomson and her partner James Martin
From October 2017, Stuart Holland was the publican.
Alexis (Lexi) is current publican, since October 2020.
Alexis (Lexi) is current publican, since October 2020.
Image from 2011 Ferry Fair Programme
Image from 2014 ferry Fair Programme
In present times, 2017 – Linda Martin is still the Publican.
Image from 2017 Ferry Fair Programme
© Queensferry History Group 2017
