And the pub's applications – for planning permission and listed building consent – would have been rejected by the planning department without councillors' input had they not been called off the scheme of delegation list by Musselburgh ward councillors Shona McIntosh and Andrew Forrest.

The meeting of the council’s planning committee on Tuesday heard from Mr Finlay’s daughter, Katherine McKenzie, that without the change, the pub could find itself struggling with hefty electricity bills.

And she said that the pub was listed more for its internal decor, which has been retained since Victorian times, than for its exterior.

She told the meeting: “The Volunteer Arms, known as Staggs, has been in our family for 150 years and we recognise the importance of preserving its historic character, but we also have to protect its future.”

Mrs McKenzie said that the solar panels would be embedded onto the roof, with the Scottish slate removed to make room kept by the family for future repairs in a sustainable measure.

And she added that the solar panels were expected to generate enough power to run the pub at a time when electricity bills were soaring.

Planning officers had recommended refusing permission for the panels to be introduced.

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However, councillors took a different view after hearing Mrs McKenzie’s appeal to be allowed to make the change.

Mr Forrest said that he had enjoyed having a drink in the pub, which attracted visitors from “around the world”, and wanted to ensure that future generations could drink there as well.

He said: “The listed building special interest of Staggs is mainly its interior and down to it being in the same family, and cared for, over generations.

“It is a well-respected, well-run and well-loved pub, and I want to ensure its future.”

Ms McIntosh added: “I would rather have a functioning pub at the heart of the community than an empty building.

"I don’t think if it was closed and boarded up people would pass and remark: 'Look at its traditional slate roof.'”

And Councillor Norman Hampshire, council leader, said: “This is a pub which attracts visitors from around the world and probably one of a few left in Scotland which has remained in the same family’s ownership.”

The committee unanimously agreed to go against officers' recommendation and grant planning permission and listed building consent for the solar panels.