The 23rd Carnethy Annual International Club Pub Run took place last night. This was to be a special year as there has been a change of Club President, and traditionally the incoming President sumo wrestles the outgoing President for the Presidential UnderPants….
With old pubs closing, changing into supermarkets and student flats, Jim had devised a new route on the south west side of Edinburgh.
About 25 festively dressed Carnethys met at the Royal Dick, Summerhall before a trot across the meadows to The Golf Tavern, founded in 1456 (a year before James II bans “ye golf” in an act of parliament, favouring archery practice). After holing a swift half we headed along the canal to Fountain Park and McGowans Brewhouse, a modern gastropub where we lubed ourselves with Beavertown Neck Oil. A short amble onto the Caley Sample Rooms where the round was The Special of a half of 80/ and a good finger of Shoulder Monkey Whisky. With spirits lifted it was back onto the runway lights along the canal to The Kilted Pig, now known as Foundation(?) where Jim had organised hot mince pies and the fizziest beer of the night. Being a hill running club we ascended the dizzy heights of Craiglockart Hill, and in the shelter of the trees, Jim produced a bottle of Goldshlager which seemed to have a warming effect on everyone. Following the Seven Hills route we called in at the Braid Hills Hotel for more fizzy lager. The numbers started to dimmish from this point, but the highlight of the night was still to come; new President Lennon sumo wrestling ex-President Hartree for the Presidental Pants on the spot of The Hanging Stanes in the middle of Braid Road. A very apt location as this was the site of one of the last public hangings in Scotland of two Irish immigrants on January 25 1815. https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-hanging-stanes
Soiled underpants passed over we continued downhill to the Morningside Glory, (Hermitage Bar) and President Lennon treated us to full pints. I think the evening started to go downhill from here. Next stop was The Merlin, where Jackson headed into the Ladies toilet, to be followed by a nippy Barperson, angered by the Scottish Government’s Gender Recognition Reform Bill, and evicted Jackson mid flow. Being refused service, we continued onto McLarens on the Corner, with the best bar staff of the night, so good, we stayed for two pints. Now it was past midnight, so we scuttled along the fairway back to the Golf Tavern, but last orders had been called. We’d probably had enough running by this point, but four of us managed to canter to The Ventoux for a nightcap before heading home.
In total 10 pubs and about 7 miles.
Best barperson: Gasmin at McLarens on the Corner
Worst barperson: Nippy at The Merlin
Best Pint: 80/ at Caley Sample Rooms
Worst Pint: Fizzy stuff at Braid Hills Hotel
Best Mirkin: Neil Burnett
Worst underpants: President Lennon
Special thanks to Jim for devising the route and shepherding us along, and thanks to everyone for coming along and having a jolly time. Merry Christmas to one and all.
Graham Nash