Day 2 of the Great Mini Scotland Adventure, and a chance to make an impression on “Argyll & The Isles”, a completely fictional Guide chapter invented by CAMRA to ensure Glasgow only had easy pubs to tick. Watch me turn that page (largely) pink. Just watch me. After that Greggs breakfast in Girvan, we took… Continue reading A FYNE TIME
Month: June 2021
IT’S COMING HOME
I don’t watch football on telly much, you can’t see the whole pitch and you don’t feel part of it, so tonight I found the pub in Sheffield that wasn’t showing the game; ALL THE PUBS IN SHEFFIELD No. 32 – The Kelham Island Tavern Goodness the Sheffield ring roads were busy tonight, everyone rushing… Continue reading IT’S COMING HOME
THAT VITAL GIRVAN PITSTOP
If you’re reading this you’re not watching football, and you’re alreet with me. This is what we call the “set up” post, as there’s no pubs in it but it provides a vital link to a string of pubs in Argyll. From Newton Stewart we headed to our campervan overnight stop in Kirkcolm, which you’ve… Continue reading THAT VITAL GIRVAN PITSTOP
ANNIE LENNOX FOLLOWS ME TO NEWTON STEWART
Just before the pandemic struck last March I made my first real incursion into Galloway, sadly unable to make logistical arrangements to tick Newton Stewart, the Chatteris of the North. Continuing the Wicker Man theme, that classic 1973 advert for the Scottish hospitality trade had its premier in Newton Stewart, possibly here; But I can’t… Continue reading ANNIE LENNOX FOLLOWS ME TO NEWTON STEWART
THE IRE OF MRS RM BURNS (KIRKCUD)BRIGHT
I don’t like to moan, I really don’t. I’d NEVER lie to you about beer quality, that’s sacrosanct, but I’ll always look for the good in people and pubs. “While not to everyone’s tastes, the high tables and uniformed staff selling out-of-date beer (NBSS 0.5) have certainly found an enthusiastic audience with the Bournemouth pashminas“,… Continue reading THE IRE OF MRS RM BURNS (KIRKCUD)BRIGHT
WICKER MEN, PUB WOMAN
Back home ! 29 Beer Guide ticks up, but sadly none in Orkney (and there’s none to do in Shetland as Bill has drunk all the Doom Bar). So I can return to blogging on the laptop, and bring you proper maps (stops at Greggs at Carlisle services NOT shown). You’ve already seen the mysteries… Continue reading WICKER MEN, PUB WOMAN
It’s 8:13am and there’s no-one in the Spoons.
To put you out of your torment, last night’s mystery copper topped pub was, of course, the Stormont in Blairgowrie. Who ? Where ? Turn south at the Cairngorms, right at Balmoral (micropub, limited hours), and if you end up in the sea you’ve gone too far. Breakfast in Blairgowrie is 2 choices. Pecan biscuits… Continue reading It’s 8:13am and there’s no-one in the Spoons.
ANOTHER MYSTERY PUB
I’ve given up the proper blogging from the van. You try loading Bing maps on a phone. But I’m legally obliged to bring you a post a day so here’s a real corker with an Irish Government feel. The beer is flat, but fresh, and tasty. The copper tables are perfect, though the perspex obscures… Continue reading ANOTHER MYSTERY PUB
AIR PRESSURE FONTS IN CASTLE DOUGLAS
Better start doing some posts on this Scottish trip or my blog views will fall off a cliff. The start of a great adventure into the largely unticked west of Scotland began with a Greggs bacon roll at Carlisle services and continued with a closed pub at Haugh of Urr, which is easy for you… Continue reading AIR PRESSURE FONTS IN CASTLE DOUGLAS
PERSISTENCE PAYS OFF
Yes. I’m in Scotland, campervanning my way round Argyll. Whatever that is. Just been bitten by a midge (not Ure) so definitely Scotland. The original plans for Orkneys and Shetland were scrapped after Bill forgot to order more Doom Bar. But Oban and whatever you call the bits west of Lomond will do. 15 pubs… Continue reading PERSISTENCE PAYS OFF
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