Near the foot of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, Kilderkin is the closest pub to Holyrood Palace and the Scottish Parliament – and to ‘do justice’ to that location, an £170,000 revamp is now underway ahead of it re-opening as The Parliament Arms.
The project is the latest partnership between Lomond Leisure and Star Pubs, with the emergent Scottish hospitality group once again taking charge of a prime site that has somewhat gone off the boil.
In spring of 2025, Lomond Leisure and Star Pubs undertook a £275,000 revamp of the old McPhabbs unit in Glasgow’s west end, relaunching it as the tourist friendly ‘contemporary Scottish pub and dining experience’ Gael & Grain.
Similarly, The Parliament Arms is getting a major glow-up ahead of its planned mid-March opening. The building’s exterior will be made-over to inject ‘more character in line with the surrounding architecture’ alongside new signage and lighting.
Internally, the redesign will renovate the venue’s wood-panelled walls, timber floors and distinctive bar, while adding leather-covered deep button-backed banquette seating, wallpaper and fabrics inspired by Scottish flora and fauna, and three eight-seater booths with saloon-style doors.
Lomond Leisure Group director Chris Thynne said: “We enjoy partnering with Star Pubs – they’re supportive, transparent and easy to do business with.
“The Parliament Arms is our second refurbishment with them in the last year. We like their collaborative approach; they listen to us and deliver what we want.”
When The Parliament Arms opens, Lomond Leisure will be operating six hospitality venues across Scotland, also including Gael & Grain, Van Winkle and Mharsanta in Glasgow; Kirk O’The Lochs in Tarbet; and The Tolbooth Tavern in Edinburgh.
Thynne commented: “We’re seeing strong like-for-like sales growth at our venues, giving us confidence to increase our group.
“We believe there’s a market for delivering great quality food, drink and hospitality. This is helped by our focus on local produce, as consumers have a new level of interest in sustainably sourced ingredients.”
Scottish gins and whiskies will certainly be a key part of The Parliament Arms’ drinks selection, accompanied by regular tastings and events with local producers.
The revamped venue’s food offer will focus on home-cooked Scottish classics made with local ingredients, including venison, sea bass and salmon, hearty pies, Cullen skink and haggis.
Having added three new sites to its portfolio since the start of 2025, Lomond Leisure is considering further expansion in areas that attract tourists, with Edinburgh, the North of Scotland and St Andrews on its radar, in addition to destination spots in northern England.
“When it comes to expansion, we’re ambitious but cautious; we’re not in any rush and won’t compromise,” said Thynne. “Location is everything for us and new sites will have to fit our business model.”
Star Pubs’ operations director for Scotland, Matt Dyson, added: “We want The Parliament Arms to do justice to its position close to two of Edinburgh’s most important sites.
“We’re delighted that Lomond Leisure Group are operating the pub; their commitment to Scottish hospitality is a perfect fit for The Parliament Arms.”
