retiredmartin

Ah, Ayrshire, home of “honest” men (though notably Pubmeister Duncan lives just across the Strathclyde border),

and a rather lopsided GBG map.

If you’ve ever wondered what’s below Ayr, which you haven’t, it’s Girvan.

I live in hope that Girvan’s Art Deco cinema will be revived by Brew Dog Twa Dugs.

My exploration of the Ayrshire coast was aided in no small part by the afore-mentioned Duncan, driving me round some entertaining Guide entries in 2019 and pausing at picturesque wee stops.

So he’s probably well-placed to add a sixth Ayrshire pub to my First Five.

As you’d expect, our tour starts in Kilmarnock.

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Kilmarnock – Wheatsheaf

Odd place, more rain than Macclesfield, heads sticking out of the pavement,

beloved childhood home of the great Eddi Reader,

a sister pub to that Fanny’s in Saltaire,

and with one reliable Guide entry.

Obviously, a Spoons, but a wild, manic, Spoons, captured here before arcane Scottish licencing law allows Scots to rush to the bar and shout “Tennents !“.

I had a great pint of Abbot. ON MY BIRTHDAY !

—–

Ayr – The Wellington

I have to include Ayr, home of Burns, the Carlisle of the North, a scruffy but interesting town,

but it’s safe to say that the first CAMRA page of pubs isn’t encouraging.

I’m not sure if that advert in the middle says more about CAMRA or me.

Such a shame that Geordie’s Byre closed, so here’s one of two (2) cellar bars in Wellington Square. this one picked because of the Wellington boot,

good beer, and the bargain lunch.

And the helpful definition of “urinal”.

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Arran -Pier Head Tavern

I feel a fraud picking the Pier Head, it’s a diner with beer,

but you’ve got to visit Arran (visit one of the 3 days it’s not raining) and I can’t remember the Ormidale,

and this soup and sandwich combo was sensational, as was the A Flock of Seagulls soundtrack.

See, it’s all about food, really.

—–

Largs – JG Sharps

As it is in Largs, the Bexhill of the North, where gentlefolk debate the relative draw of Nardini’s,

and Il Cardo. Have both.

Recent GBG entries have been dull, so stick to JG Sharps,

a symphony in brown,

even the bloke at the bar dancing to the Bee Gees.

—–

Wst Kilbride – Twa Dugs

Not to be confused with its eastern namesake of Jesus and Mary Chain fame, this is a small, smart village with one of Scotland’s only two (2) craft bars.

Honest ! Those skulls are so craft it hurts.

What better way to start the day than with a 6.9% Dark Kingdom Stout.

Anyway, struggling now. You supply the sixth. Must be one I missed in Troon ?