Back in the days before the internet, local drinkers over a certain age would consult their trusty Edinburgh pub guide to find the best watering holes in the city.
These bar bibles would give you the lowdown on pubs the length and breadth of the capital, detailing everything from the quality of their ale to the cosiness of the décor and vibe of the regulars.
But in one controversial description, taken from an early 1970s Edinburgh pub guide, we really get a taste of just how far much society has changed.
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Published in 1971, The Complete Edinburgh Pub Guide by Allan Peden of the University of Edinburgh contains entries on 492 pubs that were active in the capital at the time.
Describing the Ferniehill Inn, the guide notes that the South Edinburgh establishment is situated in a "nice old house", before going on to suggest that its anti-women stance helps ensure a good quality of pint.
According to the guide, the public bar "does not tolerate women - often a sign of good beer". Mr Peden goes to say that the pub has a good atmosphere and gives it a score of three out of five.
In another entry, this time on The Elizabeth bar in Tollcross, the guide states that "the pink roof and plastic flowers make this the sort of bar you could almost take a maiden aunt to". The listing for the Argyle pub, meanwhile, makes mention of "dolly birds in the alcoves".
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While the descriptions would have likely raised few eyebrows back in 1971, when many pubs had a separate lounge for women, while others, such as the Athletic Arms (the Diggers) on Ardmillan Terrace, were strictly men only, or featured half-naked, gyrating go-go dancers, the sexism is blatant to modern eyes.
A copy of the pub guide recently appeared on the Lost Edinburgh group on Facebook, where some members had a few choice words for its dated descriptions.
One local said: "Some of the comments are a bit errr 'inappropriate', as even these educated gentlemen held the same views about women in pubs (unless they're taking their kit off)."
Another fumed: "It's true back then the bar was for the men while the women stayed in the lounge. I'm so glad things have moved on from those cavemen times."
Others were not too perturbed by the description, however, with one person writing: "I might be an 'auld dinosaur', but I liked the days when you went to the bar (all men) with your mates but took your wife/girlfriend to the lounge."
Clearly a product of its time, the 1971 Complete Edinburgh Pub Guide occasionally makes for awkward reading in 2023, but it does have its fair share of humorous moments and is fascinating from a historical point of view, with many of the pubs now lost to the sands of time.
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