While Scotland has many historic public houses, some have unique features that make a visit to them extra special. These are a few of the more unusual Scottish pubs.
Although modern bars and chain pubs seem to be everywhere in Scotland, with a little searching it is possible to find rather more interesting drinking establishments. The pubs detailed here all have something unique to offer.
Hawes Inn – South Queensferry
Standing in the shadows of the Forth Rail Bridge – considered one of the engineering wonders of the world – the Hawes Inn, on Newhalls Road, is a delightful pub with accommodation and a selection of real ales. It is best known for its literary connections with the celebrated Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson. His novel, ‘Kidnapped’, features a passage about the inn and it is rumoured that it was while staying there that he found inspiration for the story.
The Arctic Bar – Dundee
Whaling was once an important industry in Dundee and The Arctic Bar, situated on New Entry, contains solemn reminders of the dangers the whalers faced. There are six doors in the pub,all of which feature coffin-shaped windows, to commemorate whalers lost at sea.
Halfway House – Edinburgh
This curious little pub is situated on steep, narrow steps behind Waverley train station. The steps lead up to Cockburn Street and the Royal Mile, while the pub itself has an unusual architectural feature. It actually has another, larger pub constructed on top of it. The pub is renowned for its friendliness and good food.
Johnny Foxes – Inverness
For those visitors who value their privacy this Irish bar on Bank Street is probably not the place to go. The pub has its own website which features a webcam, beaming images of the pub and its patrons around the world.
This pub is split into two rooms. The first is a conventional bar, while the room at the back of the pub operates as a cinema. Visitors can enjoy a film with their drinks while relaxing on a selection of soft furnishings, or even a bed. The Brass Monkey can be found on Drummond Street.
The Clachan Inn – Drymen
The Clachan Inn, on Drymen's picturesque Main Street, is recognised as the oldest licensed public house in Scotland, dating back to 1734. It is situated near to the West Highland Way, ensuring a steady flow of thirsty walkers, and was once owned by the sister of the Scottish hero Rob Roy. The inn has a public bar (with guest ale), restaurant and two rooms available for accommodation.
The Puff Inn - St Kilda
Situated on the sparsely populated island of St Kilda, The Puff Inn is recognised as being the most remote pub in the British Isles. The local community consists mainly of army personnel, carrying out research and acting as wardens. For several months of the year the pub is unreachable, except by helicopter.
These pubs cover the length and breadth of Scotland. A visit to any of them will be rewarded with a unique experience.
The copyright of the article Strange and Unusual Scottish Pubs in Scotland Travel is owned by Kevin Guthrie. Permission to republish Strange and Unusual Scottish Pubs in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Sadly members of the public are no longer allowed to visit the 'Puff Inn'
on St Kilda due to humourless M.o.d. restrictions . I went there in 2001
for several days and the 'Inn' was a great meeting place for exhausted
walkers and birders. I think it is a great pity and a very poor bit of
public relations on the part of the M.O.D. whose very noisy generator
rather spoiled the atmosphere and who might be looking for ways to make
amends for this ? We are tax payers, ie we pay your wages!
Sep 6, 2009 1:25 PM
Guest :
A very unusual pub can be found on the seashore at Port Bannatyne, a
fishing and yacht village on The Isle of Bute. The ancient inn "Port
Royal Hotel" was bought 10 years ago by a Russian family and the
gloomy old pub was transformed into a Russian Tavern of Tsarist Times. The
decor is spendid, the views acoss the yacht bay spectacular and the range
of Russian beers, wines and vodkas impressive. Even more startling is the
utterley professional reproduction of fine High Cuisine that once was
served to the Russian Court. This restaurant outstrips Russian places I
have tried in London and Paris, and I discovered that apart from utilising
the local fishermen and smokehouse, Babushka daily roams the island seeking
out the wild fungi, salads, herbs, seaweeds, shellfish and berries. They
also pour local Real Ales direct from the cask and have 4 inexpensive
guestrooms. Just 50 yards from Port Bannatyne Marina. A very unusual
pub in Scotland...and not a bit Scottish! They were CAMRA Scottish Pub of
the Year in 2005 but are ignored entirely now as the local CAMRA guy made a
special trip to review them one November when they were closed for annual
holiday...and like many obsessional CAMRA buffs decided to exclude them!
Check it out: http://www.butehotel.com Reviews and articles on
http://delicious.com/RogerMortimer Jan Steyvesant, Utrecht, Nederland
Sep 6, 2009 1:46 PM
Jan Steyvesant :
A very unusual pub in Scotland is to be found in the little yacht village
of Port Bannatyne on the Isle of Bute. The ancient seashore inn, The Port
Royal Hotel was bought over 10 years ago by a family from St. Petersburg,
who converted the gloomy old pub into a recreation of a Russian Tavern of
Imperial Times. There is an impressive collection of Russian beers, wines
and vodkas, and local Real Ales poured from casks up on the bar. But most
suprising is the wholly professional reproduction of High Cuisine once
served to the Court of The Tsar. To accomplish this they utilise the local
fishermen and smokehouse, hunters, and Babusha herself roams the wild
seeking out the fungi, shellfish, salads, herbs, berries and seaweeds. The
result is spectacular, and I have experienced Russian cuisine in Paris,
Moscow and London,but this quite something else! And on a Scottish Isle
with views of sea and highlands! Apparently CAMRA made them Scottish
Pub of The Year in 2005 but latterly deleted them from their book as not
Scottish enough!! Check them out on http://www.butehotel.com Jan
Steyvesant on board the yacht Kjaerejan
