MOTHER-AND-DAUGHTER team May and Heather McKenzie have made a huge contribution to Edinburgh’s folk music scene since taking on The Royal Oak pub on Infirmary Street two decades ago.
To mark the McKenzie’s 20th anniversary at the helm, the pub’s owners, Star Pubs & Bars, this week presented them with a Long Service award, and it was confirmed that the duo’s lease had been extended.
A former Royal Oak regular, Livingstone born-and-bred Heather – who is a sound engineer – took over the famous music pub out of concern for its future when the previous licensees retired. With no experience in pubs, Heather enlisted her mum May, who had a skincare company, to help with the business side.
“I’m passionate about folk and traditional music and couldn’t bear The Royal Oak to fall by the wayside when the previous licensees, sisters Sandra and Dorothy, retired,” explained Heather.
“Mum was looking for a new challenge, so we decided to give running The Royal Oak a go. I never thought we’d be here so long, but I can’t imagine life without The Royal Oak now – it’s the kind of place you never want to leave. I love music and meeting different people and hearing their stories. It’s a privilege to be the licensee.”
Under the McKenzies’ stewardship, The Royal Oak’s reputation for folk music has gone from strength to strength. Resident performers provide live music seven nights a week with every genre of folk, from country to blues, represented.
The Wee Folk Club – which has been based at the pub since it was started by a regular musician over 25 years ago and won the Folk Club of the Year Award at the 2008 Scot Trad Music Awards – hosts a concert in the Lounge Bar every Sunday evening.
In addition to showcasing some of the best folk acts in Scotland, it has hosted performers from all over the world and welcomes new talent and established favourites. All along, the pub’s informal atmosphere gives amateur musicians the opportunity to join in, helping to nurture up-and-coming Scottish talent.
As well as its music, The Royal Oak is known for a great pint of Guinness, a fantastic selection of whiskies, good conversation and a friendly atmosphere.
There is no stage – musicians play in a corner of the pub – and the décor is unchanged from the 1980s. Heather commented: “We liked the character of the pub just as it was when we started out, and customers love it, too. Tourists often remark that it’s fantastic to find ‘a real pub’. We’d have a lot of unhappy regulars if we modernised The Royal Oak.”
Star Pubs & Bars’ area manager for Edinburgh, Michael Barclay, said: “The Royal Oak is a real Edinburgh institution and a testimony to Heather and May’s hard work and commitment. It’s not just an amazing music venue, it’s also a wonderful pub where you’re always assured of a warm welcome and some good banter. We wish Heather and May many more happy years behind the bar.”
