We're delighted to see the premises at 43 Leith Street back in active use. We covered their lease by Edinburgh Council to The Mother Black Cat Ltd back in June (Issue 340)
We're also pleased that the name of the new business – The Penny Black – tips a respectful hat to its near neighbour: the former General Post Office on Waterloo Place and Calton Road, initially built in 1861–65 (to replace a smaller one further up the road) and extended in 1890 and 1908–09.
We're sad though that the old name and distinctive head with illuminating red eyes could not be retained. The Black Bull name has a long association with this corner of Greater Spurtleshire, albeit that the original establishment stood slightly to the north on the other side of the road (see second map below).
Eighteenth and nineteenth-century newspaper advertisements give an interesting feel of the former bustling hotel which served locals and visitors alike for over a century.
NEW BLACK BULL INN,
OR
HOTEL——EDINBURGH.
THE House is pleasantly situated near the Center of the OLD in the End of the NEW TOWN, and view of the Frith and country adjacent, consisting of Fifty Apartments, wherein the NOBILITY and GENTRY, &c., may be agreeably lodged without entertainment—entertained without lodging—or both, as it may best suit, on reasonable terms.———Good Stabling, Post Chaises, &c.
The COACHES for London, Newcastle, Glasgow—and DILIGENCE for Aberdeen and Perth, as usual. Fare (when seats are taken out throughout) to London, L.5, 5s/—Newcastle, L.1, 16s.—Aberdeen, L.2, 2s.—Perth, 12s. 6d.—and Glasgow, 8s.
JAMES ROBERSTON returns grateful thanks to his Friends and the Public for their kind support to his former tenant and self—begs leave to inform them, That he continues to carry on the LODGINGS, STABLING, CHAISES, &c, as before—and the TAVERN is now carried on by Mr LEE from the Assembly Close—the whole on a plan, it is hoped, that will give general satisfaction.
N.B. For the accommodation of such: Lodgers or others as wish to associate, there is a LARGE PUBLIC ROOM, wherein is always ready—Breakfast from 7 to 10—Dinner at 3—and Supper at 9 o’clock.
Caledonian Mercury, Saturday 16 July 1791
[Map by Ainslie, c.1780.]
LOT VI. A FEU-DUTY, payable out of an Area in Catherine Street* upon which the Black Bull Inn stands, of 23l.—Upset price 483l Sterling.
Caledonian Mercury, 28 February 1795
*The name Catherine Street (also styled Catharine, Katharin and Kathrine) first appears in 1794 and was chosen to honour Catherine Swinton, whose husband Walter Ferguson owned the land here and also developed St James Square. Stuart Harris, in The Place Names of Edinburgh says the name survived until 1892.
JAMES ROBERTSON
Begs leave to inform his Friends and the Public,
THAT THE STAGES FROM THE BLACK BULL INN, head of Leith Walk, so long interrupted by the storm, are now set a-going, for LONDON, NEWCASTLE, CARLISLE, GLASGOW, AND ABERDEEN.
Fare to London, if paid thro’ at Edinburgh, L. 5 10 0
Ditto to Aberdeen, “ “ 2 2 0
Ditto to Carlisle, “ “ 1 10 0
Ditto to Newcastle, “ “ 1 16 0
Ditto to Glasgow, at present only “ 0 10 0
The above Stages set out from the George and Blue Boar, London—Mr Brodie’s, Turk’s Head, Newcastle—Mr Fairbairn’s, Bush Inn, Carlisle—Mrs Durie’s, Black Bull Inn, Glasgow and Mr Gordon’s New Inn, Aberdeen, for Edinburgh.
Caledonian Mercury 7 March 1795
TO LET,
ENTRY AT WHITSUNDAY FIRST,
THE BLACK BULL HOTEL, EDINBURGH,
With COACH-OFFICE, STABLING,
HAY-LOFTS, GRANARIES,
COACH-HOUSES, &c. &c.
That old-established, large, and commodious Family and Commercial House the BLACK BULL HOTEL situate in CATHARINE STREET, EDINBURGH, will be Let for a term of years, as may be agreed on, with entry at Whitsunday first.
THE BLACK BULL HOTEL (which is well known as being one of the first Inns in Edinburgh, and in which a very extensive and lucrative business has been carried on for a great number of years) is fitted up with every modern improvement, and is situated near the termini of the North British, Edinburgh and Glasgow, and Edinburgh and Northern Railways; and there are upwards of 20 Mail and Stage Coaches arrive at, and depart from, the Hotel daily. There is an excellent COACH-OFFICE adjoining, which will be Let along with the Hotel; and besides the Stabling annexed to the Hotel, which consists of 21 Stalls, with Granary and Lofts, there are several Stables behind Elm Row and Windsor Street, containing 52 Stalls, with Hay-Lofts, &c.; there are also several Coach-houses, having a frontage of 76 feet, with Granaries above, in the Lane behind Haddington Place.
The whole subjects are in good repair, and to an enterprising tenant with moderate capital will be found an excellent opening, and such as is rarely to be met with.
Farther particulars will be learned and every information given, by applying to Messrs J. and T. Scott, upholsterers, 16 Picardy Place.
Edinburgh, 11th February 1847.
Scotsman, 13th February 1847
Ordnance Survey (1849–53)
BLACK BULL HOTEL, EDINBURGH,
Within five minutes' walk of the Railway Termini
JOHN BERGIN respectfully invites the attention of Families and Gentlemn visiting Edinburgh to the above old Establishment. The Bed-rooms are large and airy, and the House replete with every convenience for the comfort of those who may honour him with their patronage.
The Charges will be found most Moderate.
HOT & COLD BATHS.
John Bergin, who also ran the Princess-Royal Tavern and Coffee-house at 71 Princes Street from about 1851. He later named the Leith Street business after himself.
BERGIN’S HOTEL
(LATE BLACK BULL)
79 LEITH STREET, EDINBURGH,
JOHN BERGIN respectfully invites the attention of COMMERCIAL GENTLEMEN, FAMILIES, and TOURISTS visiting Edinburgh, to the above Establishment. The Bed-Rooms are large, and the House replete with every convenience, with Charges strictly moderate. A large and elegantly furnished Coffeeroom is added, where Breakfasts, Dinners, and Suppers are served up on the shortest notice. The Culinary Department is conducted by a first-rate Cook, and the Wines and Spirits are of the best quality.
No Charge to Families for Sitting-Rooms.
Scotsman, Saturday 12 March 1853
BLACK BULL LUNCHEON BAR,
45 LEITH STREET, EDINBURGH.
HOT and COLD LUNCHEONS from 12 till 4.
WINES, SPIRTITS, &c.
A. D. CAIRNS.
Edinburgh Evening News, November 1875
In 1891, parts of the former establishment were put on sale. It seems that by this stage the extensive hotel of 1847 had ceased, with only part of its former buildings now operating as a public house.
LEITH STREET, CATHERINE STREET
FOR SALE by Public Roup, within Dowell’s Rooms, 18 George Street on Wednesday the 23d December 1891, at 2 o’clock Afternoon (if not previously disposed of by Private Bargain).
81 LEITH STREET AND 1A CATHERINE STREET.
ELIGIBLE CENTRAL PROPERTY.
No. 81 LEITH STREET.—That Commodious SHOP, with BACK SALOON and range of WORKSHOPS behind, the latter consisting of Three Rooms on the basement and Three Spacious Rooms above, lighted from roof, all as formerly occupied by Messrs P. D. Torre & Co,, and at present by Mr Owen’s Trustees.
Also,
THAT LICENSED PUBLIC-HOUSE, No. 1A CATHERINE STREET, immediately adjoining, with Fittings therein, Back Premises, Cellarage, and Back Yard, presently occupied by Mr ALEXANDER CALDER.
No Feu-duty, 14s.4d. UPSET, £5000.
The above Subjects were at one time part of the Old Black Bull Hotel, and are situated in one of the main thoroughfares of the City. The Back Yard could easily be utilised for Extension of the Premises, and is most valuable.
Scotsman, 9 December 1891
