Old Chain Pier pub

Here’s the Old Chain Pier pub on Trinity Crescent (Edinburgh), blipped this morning before this afternoon’s stormy weather appeared.

Before 1820, ships and boats on the Firth of Forth used Leith Docks (in 1820 only the two Old Docks, as they were later known, had been built) or Newhaven Harbour. With the increasing use of steamships a need was felt for another point where they could call, without the congestion caused by other vessels.

The Chain Pier was destroyed in a storm on 17 October 1898. It seems not to have been well maintained over the years, but the storm was a very severe one which caused a great deal of other damage. Ships were wrecked and driven aground, and much damage caused. Following the destruction, the building that was left became a public house and there appear to have been many interesting personalities as landlords and ladies over the years.

The 1960s the landlady, Betty Moss, was known for encouraging customers to leave at closing time by waving a cutlass or a gun, which I bet worked a treat at clearing the place.

Anyway, I hope you have enjoyed Sunday.