It is sometimes difficult to distinguish truth from myth when it comes to discussing the Oxford Bar, but one aspect of its history which is all too often ignored is its significance as a watering hole favoured by Scottish writers and artists. This tradition dates back to the 19^th century, but more recently has been drawn to the public awareness by the Ian Rankin / Inspector Rebus connection.

  However the pub’s real claim to literary fame resides with the late and legendary Willie Ross whom many of the Scottish Renaissance writers were wont to visit when they felt that they were becoming something of a side-show for the literary voyeurs in the Abbotsford and Milne’s bars.

  One of the best known of this group, Sydney Goodsir Smith - no mean drinker, once found himself on a hungover Saturday morning badly in need of refreshment. Somewhat unsure of his immediate surroundings he wandered into what looked like a bar and – reassured by its open brass fittings – ordered a large drink. The look on the bank tellers face must have been worth seeing but Sydney told the story against himself for years afterwards. No doubt he would have approved of a current customer of the bar who has described it as “the only pub I know with an emergency entrance”.

  Sydney immortalised the pub in his “CAROTID CORNUCOPIUS” which Hugh MacDiarmid described as “doing for Edinburgh no less successfully what Joyce did for Dublin in Ulyssess”.

  Amongst the pubs featured in this tour of Edinburgh’s drinking haunts discerning topers will have no difficulty in recognising “Sunday Balls in Fairest Redd, The Abbotsfork in Low Street, Doddie Mullun’s, The Haw-Haw Hures at Quains Ferry and, of course, Wullie Roose’s Coxfork in Bung Strait”.

  This tradition has persisted to the present day where writers and artists continue to feature amongst the broad spectrum of customers, who make the Oxford Bar what it is and always has been: a real pub for real people.