Never noticed this before but the close next to Iceland in Dumfries High Street is called Royal Oak Close - a check of the 1907 business property guide reveals that it led to a hotel of that name. Further along the High Street another two closes contained
no less than 6 pubs- the Bay Horse, Hammerman's Arms, Plough Inn, Threee Fishes, Weary Sportsman and the Workington Inn.