That's Braw, Eh?

If you hop on a number 26 bus on London Road, which is just at the top of Leith Walk, you will find yourself on your way to the lovely seaside town of Portobello. Once you hop off of the 26, you can make your way down towards the beach. As the sound of the waves rings through your ears and you find yourself engulfed with the grey horizon of the water meeting the air, you can walk along the boardwalk towards the wee pub called Dalriada.

I know what you're thinking, "Amanda, Edinburgh is FULL of pubs. What on earth is so special about this one?" 

Well, let me tell you.

On a Sunday afternoon from 3pm until 6pm you can find approximately 6-10 or so people sitting around and playing bluegrass music. The pub likes to call this time "The Sunday Afternoon Session" and let me tell you, it is something to experience. 

Janet, my flat mate, and I share a love for music. Especially bluegrass and anything that we can stomp our feet to and sing a long with. So, we've gone to another pub much like this one before. Though, this experience was my first at Dalriada and I plan to make my way back there. The atmosphere in this place is incredible. It's warmth is thick and the joy is almost untouchable. The group playing the instruments (a mixture of banjos, fiddles, guitars, and small drums) is there every week, but they're not professional musicians and come and go each week. So Jan and I each grabbed a pint and stood in the corner until a seat became available while we jammed along with the music. 

The air filled with incredible, organic sound and I found my face hurting from smiling so wide. The sound was beautiful. The soul and spiritual atmosphere was incredible. These people are singing and making music for the pure enjoyment of it and sharing with others. And let me tell you, the entire pub joins in on the singing at moments and it's pure magic. It is a small community, really.

In my state of happiness and feeling completely at home, I looked around and thought about all people I wanted to share this place with. Not only do you have great music and great beer but you also get to overlook the sea and just relax in a place where everyone acknowledges each other and you all become one. You are a part of the music and by singing along or tapping your foot, you bring your own soul into the chorus. So beautiful. 

So as one of the guys walked past me, looked at the man sitting next to me and said, "That's braw, eh?" I thought silently to myself, "Yes. It most certainly is."

Which, in Scottish means, "That's beautiful, isn't it?" There was no way to disagree.

The Pub's website:   http://dalriadabar.co.uk/