As predicted by Stafford Paul, my second Forres tick is the Red Lion, a GBG legend apparently. It’s always the ones with the weird names.
But first, it’s the sporrans in an army surplus store (top) and Fraser Bros award winning haggis you’re really here for. One thing’s for sure, you won’t starve in Scotland (as long as you have a portable microwave).
I warmed to Forres despite the drizzle. You’ve a low risk of bumping into people.
And if I ever decide to tick off all the keg boozers I might very well start here.
If I do come back, hopefully the Red Lion will still be in the Guide, though the “To Let” sign is always a concern.
Now, I may on occasion have suggested that Scotland has more GBG entries than strict beer quality warrants, but frankly I’m rarely disappointed by the pubs.
The Red Lion at midday has only a couple of Old Boys on the Tennents and whisky chasers, but a warmth you’ll rarely get in a Kent micro pub.
At the public bar, no sign of the real ales.
I asked for a coke.
But then I opened my eyes.
“Oooh. Have you got real ale !”
“We do !”
She seemed delighted to go and fetch it for me (If I’d read WhatPub I’d have known that).
Yes, the Lounge gets the cask, the Public gets the marmalade vodka. In 2019, this discrimination still goes on. Bit like the Grill banning women till ’75, I guess.
The Belhaven is officially rarer than the Ossian, so I had that. Another perfectly decent if unexceptional half, cool and fruity (NBSS 3) but the pub was pure magic (see also: The Ship).
But the most astonishing thing was this.
Yes, someone had only gone and taken the piano up the hill from the Mosset and stuck it in the Red Lion while I was admiring the haggis !
What other explanation could there be ?
You’re doing a good job of convincing people not to do what most of us do in Scotland – race for the highlands. Great looking photos again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I guess that’s roughly the idea of the blog, Dave. Something that always strike me, though; what on earth would you do if you didn’t visit the pubs in these towns ? There’s nothing else bar the odd plain cafe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
As someone not from the UK I can’t tell you how the feel of a place like that affects you. Very powerful. I know a place like Southwold is a powerful experience just to sit in. I don’t really have to do anything. Just being.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brilliant comment. “Just being”. Yes.
LikeLike
Only Forres has a ‘Bogton’ just across from the Sewage Works.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s true of many places too (what would you do). Is there a big reveal to the yellow piano mystery?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Some mysteries are best left, er, mysterious, Duncan.
What would Dick and Dave do if there were no pubs. When I met Leon and Charlotte in Cambridge they were headed for Evensong at Kings. Can you do that in Glenrothes?
LikeLiked by 1 person
We’d visit Germany and Belgium.
LikeLike
But would you find any Proper Pubs in Germany or Belgium ?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, yes, definitely. Not France though.
LikeLike
Are they to pianists, what all those yellow bicycles are to cyclists?
LikeLiked by 1 person
https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/moray/1674903/historic-moray-bike-shop-to-get-new-life-as-a-trendy-bar/amp/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hipster bars.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Laura was probably talking about that B***** thing, hence the whisky chasers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha. Only just worked out who Laura was (Palmer, Bush ?) and I made the comment in the first place. Mostly Laura is talking about Laura, I find.
LikeLike
I have to admit the piano is a bit of a conundrum, however the “no bar blockers” poser is much easier, hardly any customers, simples.
LikeLike
Do you ever have trouble deciding whether someone goes into the “Old Boy” category or the “Gentlefolk” category? Or can one belong to both tribes at the same time? 😉
LikeLike
The big issue, that. Generally Old Boys sit on their own or with other Old Boys. Gentlefolk come as a couple and always eat.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“it’s the sporrans in an army surplus store (top)”
I thought that was a wig.
“Bet Russ picks up on the Liver and Onoin Casserole”
It’s Scotland. I just figured it was something weird like Neep or Tatties. 😉
Also, I was trying to figure out why do some of the labels say ‘homemade’ while others don’t.
“and whisky chasersbut ”
Is that a new type of whisky?
“What other explanation could there be ?”
Agreed. It’s like you’re living in your own Truman show. 🙂
Cheers
LikeLiked by 1 person