A pub in Edinburgh has renamed itself The JK Rowling, after the renowned Harry Potter author and (unofficial) queen of the literary world.
The pub was originally named The Conan Doyle, after iconic Sherlock Holmes author SIr Arthur Conan Doyle, The Huffington Post reported.
No more Conan Doyle pub?! What hath Hogworts wrought? #OTemporeOMores https://t.co/uLg4ZQcuk6 pic.twitter.com/hOnkI65jm6
— Baker Street Journal (@BakerStJournal) January 2, 2018
The owners of the pub originally gave no explanation for the exterior design change, Metro reported. It was like the new name and image of JK Rowling had magically painted themselves.
Some locals were not impressed with the surprise rebranding, with one person demanding for the pub to #ChangeItBack.
And the ghost of Conan Doyle is thinking: “What am I, chopped liver?” https://t.co/SmPFnryZ4R
— Duncan MacMaster ? The Internet’s Sweetheart (@FuriousDShow) January 1, 2018
‘The JK Rowling’, famous for being close to the birthplace of…erm… Sir Arthur Conan Doyle!!! Bad move people! #ChangeItBack
— Lord Wobbly (@LordWobbly) December 31, 2017
Thats it boycotted for my family then
— Caledonia ??????? (@_caledonia) December 31, 2017
Sad to see the good old Edinburgh traditional pubs becoming soulless corporate products
— A.D’Angelo (@dangeloalex) January 1, 2018
The Edinburgh News later revealed that the name change is part of Message From the Skies, a visual art installation that celebrates Edinburgh’s literary history. A short story written by Val McDermid, which features The JK Rowling, will be projected onto buildings and landmarks in the city.
The city is known for inspiring writers including Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Robert Louis Stevenson and Ian Rankin. Rowling herself could often be found cozied up in The Elephant House, a coffee shop in Edinburgh, writing a story about a certain boy with round glasses and a lightening bolt scar (cue Hedwig’s theme).
Before you buy a plane ticket to Scotland to raise a glass to Queen Rowling, you should know that the name change is only temporary. Message From the Skies will wrap up on January 25 and the pub will (sadly) return to its original look. But if you’re still looking for a magical drinking experience, you could always try Harry Potter themed bars like The Lockhart, The Horcrux Emporium and Perilous Potions.