retiredmartin

I always thought Aberfoyle (pop. 790) was in Wales, so the August trip to Tick the Lomond/Trossachs chapter was educational as well as triumphant, though I still have no idea who Mr(s) Trossach is/was.

These “gateway” villages to the hills are pretty much one long street with a garage, Co-op, two hotels (one with cask) and a wool shop called “Ewe’bd Been Fleeced” (honest).

You’ll end up with the rest of the tourists at the Forth Inn,

wondering what those opening times mean.

A busy family hotel with impressive floral displays, dog friendly approach (though the dogs were notably NOT friendly to each other) and lots of local charity boxes (always a good sign).

Busy inside and out, despite an eyewatering £14.95 for the signature Scottish dish of Macaroni and Cheese. You could buy that old Middlesbrough player of that name for that.

Yet another lone pump pub, despite a million pump clips on the ceiling and a website boasting of umpteen local beers, but I admire that singular approach to quality, and the Schiehallion was a cool and crisp NBSS 3+. In fact, none of the beer I had in Scotland was noticeably warm.

Even if the beer was rubbish, pubs always give the little joy of life drama played out for your entertainment. A family group were perusing the cheaper food options.

“What’s…..Ceeabatter ?”

“Cheebatter, Brian, is an Italian bread. You wouldn’t like it” mansplained the wife/

OK, it’s hardly worth driving from Sheffield to the Trossachs for, but it’s still better than anything on BBC tonight.