For 135 years this building was one of Scotland's best-known auction houses. Paintings, pearls, royal relics and the odd coffin all went under the hammer here. The bidding was loud, the auctioneers were theatrical, and the room was always full of characters. We’ve tried to keep it that way. Here’s the story of the room you’re drinking in.
c.1775
c.1775
Built in the New Town
Built in the New Town
1864
1864
Lyon & Turnbull move in
Lyon & Turnbull move in
135
135
Years as a saleroom
Years as a saleroom
2026
2026
The Lyon Pulic HOUSe opens
The Lyon Pulic HOUSe opens
Part I · c.1775 – 1863
c.1775
c.1775
No. 51 starts life as part of a classical tenement in Edinburgh’s brand-new New Town, built in cream sandstone along what would become the city’s grandest street.
No. 51 starts life as part of a classical tenement in Edinburgh’s brand-new New Town, built in cream sandstone along what would become the city’s grandest street.
1820s
1820s
Miniature painter William Nicholson, soon to be the first secretary of the Scottish Academy, opens a top-lit picture gallery at the rear with Dr Hay, probably designed by architect Thomas Hamilton. Its boarded walls and picture rail still survive.
Miniature painter William Nicholson, soon to be the first secretary of the Scottish Academy, opens a top-lit picture gallery at the rear with Dr Hay, probably designed by architect Thomas Hamilton. Its boarded walls and picture rail still survive.
1826
1826
On 18 October 1826, Jonathan Lyon, a spirit merchant whose Market Street shop doubled as a pub, places his first advert as an auctioneer. It’s the 1826 on our crest.
On 18 October 1826, Jonathan Lyon, a spirit merchant whose Market Street shop doubled as a pub, places his first advert as an auctioneer. It’s the 1826 on our crest.
Part II · 1864 – 1999
1864
1864
A year after Jonathan’s son William goes into partnership with William Elliot Turnbull, the new firm leases George Street Hall at No. 51 as its saleroom. Property, wine, fine art and the frankly unusual all go under the hammer here for the next 135 years.
A year after Jonathan’s son William goes into partnership with William Elliot Turnbull, the new firm leases George Street Hall at No. 51 as its saleroom. Property, wine, fine art and the frankly unusual all go under the hammer here for the next 135 years.
1877
1877
George Beattie & Sons reface No. 51 and bring it slightly forward, adding the Renaissance-style frontage, with its pedimented doorway and arched windows, that still faces George Street today.
George Beattie & Sons reface No. 51 and bring it slightly forward, adding the Renaissance-style frontage, with its pedimented doorway and arched windows, that still faces George Street today.
1887
1887
Business is booming. The firm buys warehouses and a second saleroom on Thistle Street and links them to No. 51 with a bridge over the lane behind. It’s still there.
Business is booming. The firm buys warehouses and a second saleroom on Thistle Street and links them to No. 51 with a bridge over the lane behind. It’s still there.
1888
1888
A gold cross pendant set with pearls and rubies, said to have belonged to Mary, Queen of Scots, comes up for sale. It goes to wine broker Francis Gibson for £55.
A gold cross pendant set with pearls and rubies, said to have belonged to Mary, Queen of Scots, comes up for sale. It goes to wine broker Francis Gibson for £55.
1926
1926
Paintings by Scottish Colourists F.C.B. Cadell (13 March 1926) and S.J. Peploe (2 July 1927) are offered in the saleroom. By now the firm’s weekly adverts in The Scotsman list twenty or more upcoming sales.
Paintings by Scottish Colourists F.C.B. Cadell (13 March 1926) and S.J. Peploe (2 July 1927) are offered in the saleroom. By now the firm’s weekly adverts in The Scotsman list twenty or more upcoming sales.
1935
1935
William Plews joins as a fourteen-year-old office boy on ten shillings a week. He and Ord Kennedy Reid become the saleroom’s best-loved auctioneers, known for their wit, and the lots only get stranger: an Egyptian mummy, stuffed fish and, once, a set of coffins, with bidders invited to “try them out for size”.
William Plews joins as a fourteen-year-old office boy on ten shillings a week. He and Ord Kennedy Reid become the saleroom’s best-loved auctioneers, known for their wit, and the lots only get stranger: an Egyptian mummy, stuffed fish and, once, a set of coffins, with bidders invited to “try them out for size”.
Post-war
Post-war
Thistle Street Lane, right behind us, becomes an open-air saleroom. Furniture, household goods and bric-a-brac are laid out on the cobbles for the weekly Lane Sales. The crowd runs from “the peer of the realm to the local dustman”, and visitors are said to come from overseas.
Thistle Street Lane, right behind us, becomes an open-air saleroom. Furniture, household goods and bric-a-brac are laid out on the cobbles for the weekly Lane Sales. The crowd runs from “the peer of the realm to the local dustman”, and visitors are said to come from overseas.
1966
1966
On 13 January 1966 the building is Category B listed as part of the New Town’s George Street terrace. The listing singles out the top-lit auction room at the back as being of considerable historic interest.
On 13 January 1966 the building is Category B listed as part of the New Town’s George Street terrace. The listing singles out the top-lit auction room at the back as being of considerable historic interest.
1999
1999
In 1998 The Scotsman reports “Auction room going… going… after 173 years”, and what was believed to be the final sale is held on 5 December. New owners revive the firm in 1999 and move it to a converted church on Broughton Place, leaving behind a saleroom that had barely changed in over a century.
In 1998 The Scotsman reports “Auction room going… going… after 173 years”, and what was believed to be the final sale is held on 5 December. New owners revive the firm in 1999 and move it to a converted church on Broughton Place, leaving behind a saleroom that had barely changed in over a century.
Part III · 2026 –
2026
2026
After a six-month redevelopment, the old saleroom opens as The Lyon Public House. The rooms are named after the trade, the walls are full of curios from auction houses across the UK, and the crowd is still a big part of the show.
After a six-month redevelopment, the old saleroom opens as The Lyon Public House. The rooms are named after the trade, the walls are full of curios from auction houses across the UK, and the crowd is still a big part of the show.
Pull up a stool and stay a while.
With thanks to Lyon & Turnbull, still selling at Broughton Place nearly 200 years on. Archive images courtesy of Historic Environment Scotland.