Abbotsford is big in Scotland - at least for those in the restaurant industry.
Two notable establishments prominently feature Abbotsford in its name, proof that the Abbotsford moniker extends far past the Fraser Valley.
The Abbotsford Bar and Restaurant, located in between the “Old Town” and “New Town” sections of Edinburgh, claims to be the city’s best preserved elaborately designed and ornamented bar to have survived what is called the “Golden Age” of Scottish pub design.
According to the establishment’s website, The Abbotsford was named after Scottish historical novelist Sir Walter Scott’s baronial mansion in Roxburghshire. Originally the Abbotsford Arms (1887) stood on the site. In 1902 the original bar was demolished and Jenner’s & Co who were making additions to their store commissioned famed Pub & Brewery architect P.L. Henderson to design the new Abbotsford Bar.
Opulent features in the bar include a classic island bar carved from Spanish Mahogany, elegant ceilings and a bright feel.
The website adds that in the early part of the last century the Abbotsford was well known by Music Hall Artistes who performed at the Empire, Lyceum and Royal theatres. In the 1950’s and 60’s the bar became a favourite haunt of ‘Rose St Poets’ Hugh Macdiarmid, Sorley McLean and Sydney Goodsir Smith. In more recent times the pub has played host to the likes of comedians Billy Connelly and Robbie Coltrane, political figures such as Alistair Darling and Gordon Brown and the authors Ian Rankin and the greatly missed Iain Banks.
Bar Classics on the menu include: steak and ale pie, fish and chips and vegetarian haggis, amongst many other selections.
Drinks include a vast array of whiskey selections, and many ale options from local independent breweries.
TripAdvisor users have ranked The Abbotsford Bar and Restaurant a 4.5 out of 5.
Also in Scotland is the Abbotsford Lounge Bar, which is located in the town of Perth.
It’s regarded as a friendly neighbourhood local pub, with sports available to watch, live music and quiz nights. They also offer light lunches to go with the many alcohol choices.
The owner described the origin of the bar in a video on YouTube.
Very few other details are available online for the Abbotsford Lounge Bar, but the establishment has collected 158 likes on its Facebook page.