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The Athletic Arms
The Athletic Arms, commonly known as the Diggers,[1] is a historic pub in Edinburgh, Scotland. Located near Tynecastle Park and Murrayfield, it is popular with sports fans on game days.[2] The pub's nickname, Diggers, comes from its location between two graveyards, which made it popular with gravediggers at the end of their shifts.[1] The building is an example of a late-Victorian Scottish pub, well-known for their spacious interiors and central bars. Its bar has a tall fount, a traditional way of serving draft beer in Scotland.[2][3] In December 2018, licensee Kevin McGhee won the BT Sport Manager of the Month award for the pub's close association with the Hearts football team.[4] In March 2020, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the pub started a crowdfunding campaign to pay staff. It raised nearly £10,000.[5] In 2024, The Athletic Arms was shortlisted in the Best Pub category at the Scottish Bar Awards.[6][7] Famous patrons include actors James McAvoy and Ken Stott, and author Irvine Welsh.[5] McEwan's 80/-The Athletic Arms was famous for its McEwan's 80/- (eighty shilling) beer, which was brewed at the nearby Fountain Brewery. Traditionally, patrons could hold up their fingers to indicate how many pints of 80/- they wanted. There would be up to 15 bar staff wearing red jackets at any one time.[2] According to a sign inside the pub, "by the time [patrons] reached the bar the requested number of pints would be waiting for them.”[3] An unfounded rumour suggested that the pub had a direct line to the Fountain Brewery which meant it served the freshest beer. According to a 2006 BBC News article, then-owner Karl McKenna said he sold a third of all 80/- served in Edinburgh.[8] McEwan's stopped producing 80/- cask ale in 2006. The Athletic Arms currently serves a version of 80/- brewed by Stewart Brewing.[3] The pub now calls itself a "specialist whisky pub", with over 700 malt whiskies at the bar.[1][2] References
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