The Auld Inns of Scotland

the traditional Scottish Inn was established in a remote area for the convenience of passing travelers and dates in general from the coaching era. the king's house may have been built by the government of the day hence it's name. With the advent of the stage coach came the opening of new routes and an increase in travel. As a result lairds established inns on their estates the size of which reflected their wealth and importance. Competition between coaching inns was intense and there are tales of link-armed men forcibly directing coaches to a particular hostelry. The Author tells of inns which have entertained such diverse guests as Robert Burns and Sean Connery. William and Dorothy Wordsworth stayed at a great number of these establishments Robert Louis Stevenson wrote in one and James Barrie etched his initials on a window in another