Black Bull, Mid Calder

18th-century pub where the small public bar on the right is barely altered in 60 years. The counter is of a just post-war style (pot shelf is modern). The back gantry, which could be of a similar age or even older, consists of two separate fittings – the left one set back a foot or more further back from the right hand one. They are of identical design – three bays with mirrored top sections but the left one with a couple of drawers being narrower than the one on the right. The tongue-and-groove wall panelling and panelled ceiling are from Victorian times as is the tiled and cast fireplace with good mirrored mantelpiece. New seating and floor.

Behind the servery is what was the snug (now used as the office) with old dado panelling and which still has some old fixed seating. In recent times it was very popular with the occupants of the nearby Linburn Centre for the Scottish War Blinded who were served via the stable door to the back of the servery which has a ledge on it. The passageway near the snug has full height panelled walls and at the end is a door leading to the gents’ with two old frosted glass panels advertising ‘Murray's Oatmeal Stout’ and ‘Murray’s Famous Ales’ and old 'Urinal' enamel plate above. Tongue and groove panelling continues beyond the door.

There was a lounge bar situated above the public bar with access via a staircase where the door to the ladies toilets are on the right. It held about 20 people and had a tiny quarter circle counter but is now used as living accommodation. About 50 years ago the present lounge on the left was created from a former house. The lounge and the function room at the rear are completely modernised. Access to the new lounge is via a passage to the left of the public bar. The public bar is open Mon to Thu 5-11; Fri 3-1am; Sat 11-1am; Sun 12.30-12.