Look at the photo above. Not only do you see what looks like a micropub, you’ll also notice a complete absence of moving traffic.
In fact, in half an hour walking the mean streets of Newcastleton I saw less cars pass me than I saw pints pulled in the whole of my trip to the Scottish Borders i.e. not many.
I’m sure all of you can place Newcastleton on the map, but if not;
You really have to want to come here, or (if you’re a Londoner) get hopelessly lost looking for your yurt in lovely Kielder Water.
There’s two sorts of settlements as you move across the Scottish Borders; the unexpectedly attractive large village like St Boswells (or Bellingham), and the single main road settlements that looks like a suburb of Carlisle. Like this one.
Here’s the tourist highlights;
The Copshaw Kitchen Café seems to have enough alcohol to cope with being cut off by snow drift for months, though custom comes from coffee and (ambitiously priced) homemade scones.
Duncan will correct me, but I don’t think there’s ever been a Beer Guide pub here, and my WhatPub extract reveals a bit of a beer desert forest for miles around.
The Grapes looks like the boozer of the two, but that solitary red marker is the Liddesdale Hotel, which takes the Scottish predilection for “Occasional real ale availability” to its limits.
WARNING: REAL ALE ONLY DURING COPSHAW FESTIVAL
Yes, for three days at the end of June you get real ale. And folk in Manchester complain about choice.
Wouldn’t it be sad if the Liddesdale got in the Guide and BRAPA could never make it at the end of June ? It only takes 5hrs19 by train and bus.
By the way, that Trap micro at the top doesn’t even register on WhatPub, but offers micro pub opening hours (i.e. erratic) and a Tattie competition. It may be a classic. I may never know.
retiredmartin 
Yes, Newcastleton really is the back of beyond. Hermitage Castle just up the road (from which it presumably takes its name) is well worth a visit, though. You’re unlikely to be troubled by the crowds there.
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Is the Trap actually a micro? Didn’t know about it. Grapes was in GBG 1997 and 1999; Liddlesdale Hotel in 2001 and 2003-2006. A minor source of regret is not attending a match there when Hearts of Liddlesdale did a programme to mark an anniversary of their founding, v Hearts I think. I was in Iceland at the time (no, not the shop).
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I vaguely remember it appearing now you say. What is a micro anyway ? If it’s small and simple is it any less a micro for serving Carling rather than cask ? (he asks philosophically !).The absence on WhatPub shows what a job Edinburgh & Borders CAMRA have on their hands !
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Very true. WhatPub does have keg only pubs so that and the Station Yard Dunbar should be added
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I’ll let them know. No doubt there’ll be a coach party down there from Morningside or Melrose next week.
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Perhaps you could try and compete by launching Cambridge’s first Neep competition?
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Sunday hours of 12pm to 11am?! Seems like a Sunday/Monday would be your best bet…
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“Proper hills”
Nice footpath.
“WhatPub extract reveals a bit of a beer desert forest for miles around.”
Crikey.
“and a Tattie competition.”
And here I thought that was showing off your tattoos. 🙂
Cheers
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