Best & Cool Bars in West Calder

"Learn more about Scotland’s tastiest export with a tour and tasting session. There is also a bar and restaurant if you need a few more drams to help decide which is your favourite.354 Castlehill, 220 0441, scotchwhiskyexperience.co.uk. Daily 10am–6pm; entry is as part of a tour."

"Although technically not a bar, it does have the largest range of whisky in Scotland, with more than 3,500 bottles. Book a tasting tour to kick off your stag do and grab a wee dram or four to road-test some of the best whisky in the world.."

"For this reason, you may want to visit the Scotch Whisky Experience. Here you’ll find the largest private collection of whisky in the world, all in one room!. How about this as a top Edinburgh Instagram spot?"

"Offering a vast menu of vegan dishes, Harmonium is a haven for plant-based eaters. Come for brunch, when simple decision-making abilities will be thrown out the window as you're faced with choosing between dairy-free grilled cheese and "bacon" sourdough sandwiches and Belgian waffles topped with whipped cream, fresh berries, maple syrup and powdered sugar. Wash it all down with coffee from local Edinburgh-based roasters Williams and Johnson Coffee Co.."

"Following on the success of their Hanover Street restaurant and the wonderful cafe in the values of St John's, comes a fully vegan restaurant situated in Thistle Street. This is Edinburgh's first fully vegan restaurant, and it looks to be a great success. The menu is brimming with luxurious flavourful dishes and there is certainly no sense that by eschewing meat and dairy diners are missing out."

"Harmonium has got to be the hippest, coolest vegan restaurant in Edinburgh. Located in Leith, it’s well worth the walk [or bus] from the city centre. Their menu is fairly laid back and consists of stone baked pizzas, quarter pounders and delectable desserts."

"Located near The University of Edinburgh, Brew Lab is the brainchild of coffee aficionados Dave Law and Tom Hyde, who—as the shop's name suggests—take a scientific approach to brewing. A variety of pulled, brewed, and filtered phenomena prevail here, all highlighting methods and single-origin coffees from partner roaster Union-Hand Roasting. Each type of bean is selected to complement different milks or straight-up black espressos."

"Brew Lab is the first choice of many a coffee connoisseur in Edinburgh, focusing on single-origin speciality-grade coffee provided by Union Hand-Roasted – those in the know appreciate this brand for its ethical sourcing and heritage in the UK coffee community. The shop itself is as trendy as they come with bare-brick walls, modern tunes and a happily drip-fed clientele of hipsters, university students and remote workers."

"Haggis and whiskey should be on everyone’s ‘to eat and drink’ list when they visit Scotland, and Whiski Rooms has the best of both. Their haggis spring rolls with plum sauce are a great way to ease yourself in to the delicacy and while there make sure you try one of their 300 whiskies."

"Give your next date night a sophisticated edge by heading to Whiski Rooms for an evening of tasting tipples and nibbling on cheese. Try out a selection of drams from all over Scotland, with paired bites for each drink."

"What: Roseleaf may be best known for its ‘pot-tails’ (cocktails served in teapots), but we’d also recommend stopping by here in the morning. To kick start your day, tuck into one of Roseleaf’s range of eggs Benedicts, which can be paired with everything from black pudding to spinach. Roseleaf is also good for anyone looking to enjoy breakfast in a venue with a difference, thanks to its Instagram-friendly interiors which include a collection of vintage furniture and lots of other random knick-knacks."

"This family-run café is renowned for their Pot-Tails – cocktails in teapots. Open from 10am to 10pm every day, they offer everything from brunch to dinner and Sunday roasts. A visual delight, the café is decorated with antique furniture and the walls are covered with artworks from aspiring artists trying to sell their wares."

"I skipped this since I’m a veg and went with the Roseleafer, which consists of vegetarian haggis, beans, tomatoes, mushroom, egg, spinach, and toast. Talk about major deliciousness!"

"The Ox on London Street is a stylish and cosy gastropub that can be found at the bottom of Broughton Street, just a short walk from the centre of town. The pub has a quieter seated area that makes it perfect for families who can enjoy a pub setting and still get away from the hustle and bustle of the bar area with the little ones. Their delicious menu has all the pub classics and they even do a special deal on burgers on Tuesdays between 6-9pm, as well as a special roast offering on Sunday."

"Located at the bottom of Broughton Street, The Ox is a lively and vibrant place serving fantastic fresh local and seasonal produce specialising in Ox related items such as Ox cheek, Oxtail soup as well as lots of other great dishes and specials. They also do a fantastic Sunday roast with all the trimmings which proves very popular as well. The Ox is a great addition to Broughton Street."

"Established way back in 1962, this affordable veggie restaurant sits pretty on a sloping New Town terrace, a stroll away from Princes Street. Diners queue to have their plates piled high with salads, quiche, vegetarian haggis, crepes and more, followed by surprisingly indulgent puddings. Hendersons runs a deli upstairs from the basement restaurant, as well as a couple of vegan offshoots elsewhere in town, but – especially when there’s live jazz on a Friday night – the homey cosy vibe makes the Salad Table in particular an Edinburgh stand-out."

"Henderson's is a well-known and very popular vegetarian restaurant on Hanover Street but they also have a presence in the west end under St. John's church on the corner of Lothian Road and Princes Street. This fantastic location caters for up to 80 people in an atmospheric, barrel-vaulted dining room. Whether you want a light snack and a coffee, soup and a sandwich, or a tasty veggie lunch with a glass of wine, you can find it here."

"Linlithgow Palace: Used as a royal residence throughout the ages, Linlithgow Palace is located in a town of the same name and was one of the most important seats of the monarchy during the 15th and 16th-centuries. In fact, it was even the birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots!"

"The plans to construct an iconic city hall in Edinburgh were sparked in 1896 by Andrew Usher, renowned whisky distiller, who promised to fund the project. In 1914, Usher Hall was built by architects Stockdale Harrison and Howard H Thomson, a magnificent and classical beaux-arts-style concert hall which stood in defiance against the Victorian Gothic architecture so commonly found within the city of Edinburgh. Situated on Lothian Road in the west of the capital, Usher Hall is instantly recognizable with its curved walls, geometric precision and intriguing exterior design, featuring famous Scots such as Sir Walter Scott and Robert Burns."

"Usher Hall is Edinburgh’s premier concert venue and a must-visit for fans of entertainment and culture. The hall was built in 1914 and features beautiful architecture, including a curved exterior decorated with panels of famous figures such as Sir Walter Scott and Mozart. The hall has historically been used for a variety of events, including concerts, political events, and sporting events."

"In the city centre, seek out the Heart of Midlothian for a uniquely Scottish piece of history. The Heart of Midlothian is set in the pavement on the Royal Mile, constructed from coloured granite blocks that form the shape of a heart and cross. This landmark records the position of the 15th century ‘heart’ of the town, the Old Tolbooth."

"It’s hard to imagine a more picturesque market setting than this – Edinburgh Farmers’ Market looks right up at the city’s medieval castle. Every Saturday (9am–2pm) the blue and white striped awnings on Castle Terrace shade an excellent range of products: meat, seasonal fruits and vegetables, jams, chutneys, crusty bread, handmade chocolates and pies. Tasting samples are commonplace, so try before you buy from some esteemed suppliers including Puddledub Pork, natural organic producers Caurnie Soap and – for some famously good Scottish soft fruit – Tay Valley Fruits."

"More than 55 producers sell meat, fish, eggs, honey, seasonal fruit and vegetables, cheeses, breads, plants, and a whole range of specialties here. Pull up a bench and have some creamy porridge with whisky or a hot hog roast roll while you gaze up at the forbidding walls of the castle. The adjacent NCP Castle Terrace car park offers a discounted rate during market hours – validate your ticket at the market information stall."

"TV chef Lloyd Grossman once described this as "one of the world's best farmers' markets". It is now in its 18th year and features a range of fresh goods from more than 35 specialist producers – with the majority growing or rearing what they sell themselves. Some of the speciality produce includes heart-warming soups, gourmet crisps and Shetland knitwear."

"Not quite as busy as its big sisters, Stockbridge and Grassmarket markets, but well worth a visit nonetheless. The market consists mostly of food traders, bringing you locally produced and sourced products as well as sizzling hot street food that you can enjoy sitting down at one of the tables. On the first Saturday of the month the market also hosts the Vegan Quarter with a variety of vegan treats to choose from."

"One of the smaller markets on the list, Leith Market has around 20 stalls and a friendly, laid back atmosphere. Here there’s an abundance of locally grown, fresh produce, including organic fruit and vegetables, artisan breads, smoked fish and much more. On the first Saturday of every month, the market also hosts a special Vegan Quarter where shoppers can buy a variety of vegan treats, from cupcakes to faux meat."

"A charming mixture of bread, cheese and soap, this bustling market has a large number or vegetarian and vegan friendly vendors. On a sunny day, it’s a fun and busy place to be. It’s positioned between Commercial Quay and the shore, perfectly situated between two areas of cafés and restaurants."

"For a small fee, you can go up the Scott Monument and get a gorgeous view of the Old Town from the other side. However, it was sadly closed for renovations when I was there, so I didn’t get a chance to go up."

"Climb to the top of Scotts Monument. This is a monument to the Scottish author Sir Walter Scott and is the largest monument to a writer in the world."

"The Nelson Monument is a commemorative tower in honor of Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson, located in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is included in the list of 15 places in Edinburgh because it is situated on top of Calton Hill and provides a dramatic termination to the vista along Princes Street from the west. The Royal Navy’s White Ensign and signal flags spelling out Nelson’s famous message “England expects that every man will do his duty” are flown from the Monument on Trafalgar Day each year."

"Another architecturally inspired monument which sits on Calton Hill is the Nelson Monument. Built in 1807, this commemorative tower is an ode to Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson and is frankly unmissable against Edinburgh's skyline. It is situated at the highest point of Calton Hill and stands at 106 ft. tall, contributing to the towers' epic and majestic quality."

"Take note of the time ball on the monument which serves the same purpose as the Edinburgh Castle One O’Clock Gun."