FIGHT your way to the bar for an over-priced pint during the Festival and you may struggle to believe that the country's pub trade is not enjoying the rudest of health.
But with pubs in Scotland closing at the rate of six a week, calls are growing for action to be taken to protect licensed traders before it's too late.
The economic hangover of the smoking ban and the effects of the recession have both been blame
d for fewer people going to pubs, but it is clear the supermarkets and a growing culture of drinking at home are the real cause for the decline.
Pub landlords say their livelihoods are coming under increasing threat from the supermarkets chains, who not only stock cheap booze, but are also beginning to market drink and meal deals as a cheap night in.
So worried are the nations publicans that the Scottish Licensed Traders' Association is calling for minimum pricing for alcohol in the hope of preventing supermarkets using drink as a loss-leader.
Colin Wilkinson, secretary of the SLTA, says thousands of jobs could be lost across the industry in the coming years unless something is done to halt the decline.
"Cheap drink in supermarkets is killing the trade off," he says. "What we're pushing for is a minimum price on alcohol. At the moment, 45 per cent of all alcohol is sold through the supermarkets and that's part of the reason why six pubs a week are closing in Scotland, 54 across the UK.
"People are turning to supermarkets, and the supermarkets are now promoting these have a meal and a drink for a tenner deals, which are encouraging people to stay at home."
Midlothian MP David Hamilton is among those calling for beer duty to be reformed to help support pubs and clubs.
At present, the duty is charged at a flat rate regardless of how or where the beer is sold.
Mr Hamilton is calling on the government to press for a change in European law that would see draught beer taxed at a different level from that which is sold in shops.
"Pubs up and down the country are struggling with the recession and the unfair competition from supermarkets who often sell beers as a loss-leader," he says.
"If pubs were charged a lower rate of duty then the playing field would be levelled. I believe that we must do more to support pubs and clubs which make such an important contribution to our communities.
"The tariffs on beer are exactly the same whether it be pre-packed or draught beer. It is European legislation that is stopping us from recognising the difference. Surely as a government we can go to our Labour MEPs and, indeed, to governments across Europe to get rid of that tariff, because that is what is closing a number of pubs at the present time."
Moves to reduce the level of tax charged on draught beer are being backed by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), which says around 90p of every pint goes in beer duty, VAT and employment tax.
Mike Benner, CAMRA's chief executive, says: "A lower rate of duty on draught beer sold in pubs would represent a golden opportunity for the government to address the disparity between supermarket and pub prices, a problem directly associated with pub closures.
"This proposal would encourage a shift in alcohol consumption back to the regulated environment offered by well-run community pubs. This proposal would also stem the loss of community pubs and thereby reverse the decline of community life."
He adds: "CAMRA first raised the need for a lower rate of duty in pubs in a submission to the Parliamentary Beer Group's Community Pub Inquiry back in 2006, and we are delighted that this novel idea has the full backing of the influential Parliamentary Beer Group.
"An average pint of beer sold in the pub causes the consumer to swallow around 90 pence per pint in beer duty, VAT and employment tax revenue, and if community pubs are to survive, then the excessive tax burden they face must be reduced."
But while taxes play their part, the role of the recession cannot be underestimated. Bars and restaurants are usually the first to suffer in any economic downturn and Edinburgh has not been immune from the slowdown.
There is also evidence that the smoking ban has had a negative effect on the number of people going to the pub, even though the important health benefits surely outweigh any financial damage done to publicans.
What is clear is that like independent retailers before them, pubs face being squeezed out by the all-too-powerful hand of the big four supermarket chains.
Perhaps taking action now will prevent many more bars calling last orders for the final time in the months to come.
