- Edinburgh pub is mysteriously renamed after the billionaire author JK Rowling
- It used to be named after Sherlock Holmes writer, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
- Owners Nicholson’s Pubs are staying tight-lipped on the sudden change of name
An Edinburgh pub named after Sherlock Holmes writer Sir Arthur Conan Doyle has had a mysterious re-brand in honour of another legendary author.
Punters at the Conan Doyle pub were mystified to discover their local had changed — to the ‘JK Rowling’.
And not only has the exterior been emblazoned the new name but there is even a sign outside that depicts the Harry Potter author.
She is pictured sat at a table and appearing to be eating some pub food.
Punters at the Conan Doyle pub were mystified to discover their local had changed — to the ‘JK Rowling’
![The sign before the Conan Doyle pub was renamed](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2018/01/01/15/47ADD69600000578-5226425-image-m-110_1514822128637.jpg)
![The sign after the name change which depicts JK Rowling sat at a table and eating some food](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2018/01/01/15/47ACFD2800000578-5226425-image-m-108_1514822114423.jpg)
And not only has the exterior been emblazoned the new name but there is even a sign outside that depicts the Harry Potter author
![The stunt prompted both speculation and dismay online, with one Twitter user demanding that the name be changed back to the Sherlock Holmes author](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2018/01/01/15/47ADD68C00000578-5226425-image-a-103_1514822083897.jpg)
The stunt prompted both speculation and dismay online, with one Twitter user demanding that the name be changed back to the Sherlock Holmes author
While owners Nicholson’s Pubs were Nicholson’s pubs were today staying tight -lipped on the sudden transformation, it is understood that it was a an elaborate stunt for Hogmanay.
Lucy Barker tweeted: ‘Hello @Nicholsonspubs, why has the Conan Doyle pub been renamed the @jk_rowling?’
A user called Lord Wobby wrote: ‘”The JK Rowling’, famous for being the birthplace of…erm…Sir Arthur Conan Doyle!!! Bad move people! #ChangeItBack.’
![While owners Nicholson's Pubs were Nicholson's pubs were today staying tight -lipped on the sudden transformation, it is understood that it was a an elaborate stunt for Hogmanay](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2018/01/01/15/47ACFD3400000578-5226425-image-a-93_1514820405484.jpg)
While owners Nicholson’s Pubs were Nicholson’s pubs were today staying tight -lipped on the sudden transformation, it is understood that it was a an elaborate stunt for Hogmanay
The pub was named after the great Scots storyteller Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle who was born in nearby Picardy Place in 1859.
A bronze statue to his most famous character Sherlock Holmes overlooks the pub in York Place.
Rowling famously wrote the best-selling Harry Potter books at The Elephant House, a mile away in Edinburgh’s Old Town.
A spokesman for Nicholsons said: ‘I can’t say anything about it but all will be revealed tomorrow.’