I know BRAPA has done a bit of Aberdeen, this a typically #PubMan comment in one of hisearly posts; “The barman was a friendly chap who really knew his stuff, offering me tasters but I said I believed in committing yourself to a beer so I went for a “Deaf Mermaid”, at 5.4% one of… Continue reading DRIZZLE OVER BALLATER – “Mustn’t grumble”
LIGHTS ON AT THE BLUE LAMP
I can’t believe I forgot the Blue Lamp when I told you I had three (3) new GBG ticks in Aberdeen. Four (4) new (to me, anyway) Guide entries in an evening are riches indeed, only pipped by Kirkwall; I may yet do that ferry to Kirkwall (see the map) one way or the other.… Continue reading LIGHTS ON AT THE BLUE LAMP
TIME FOR A NETTLE PORTER & PORK SCRATCHINGS IN FIERCE
Aberdeen is one of the top 10 great pub cities in the UK. No, really. I had four (not three) new GBG entries to visit since my pre Covid trip, and other Temptations (not those ones) lay on every corner. The Grampians are home to one of the UK’s top craft breweries, and I interrupted… Continue reading TIME FOR A NETTLE PORTER & PORK SCRATCHINGS IN FIERCE
THE GRANITE CITY
A third new GBG pub in Aberdeen in an hour (and I’ve just remembered there was a fourth so I’ve already lied to you), as I reach the network of bars around Golden Square. Aberdeen was looking splendid early evening, if a bit quieter than pre-Covid. Back to the craft trail (I wasn’t collecting stickers,… Continue reading THE GRANITE CITY
UPMARKET ABERDEEN
A night in Aberdeen, or possibly Bridge of Dee, for £35 at Holburn Guest House. Tonight, you’ll struggle to get a double room anywhere in Scotland for less than £150, but the cheapest Travelodge in Aberdeen is half the price (£45.99) it is anywhere else. Historically the Granite City was one of the most expensive… Continue reading UPMARKET ABERDEEN
THE UNEXPECTED THRILL OF NEWTONHILL
Onto Aberdeenshire, home to long-distance Blackpool fans and one of my most rabid commentators. I’m sure Karen and Scott are both thrilled that Aberdeen is now the world centre of craft. I did three of those that day, just the new GBG ticks, starting in Newtonhill. A gorgeous dormitory town with a bay full of… Continue reading THE UNEXPECTED THRILL OF NEWTONHILL
JOHNNIE MONTROSE
One more slice of small town Angus for you before I hit the Big City. The GBG takes me to all the best places, and I was THRILLED to be hitting the port of Montrose for the first time. You’ll know the name from Ronnie Montrose’s band of the early 1970s. Which came first, the… Continue reading JOHNNIE MONTROSE
BRECHIN WELCOMES THE PUB TICKERS
My late June raid on Angus was a basically a tick list of Proper Scottish Football Teams. Forfar, Montrose, and Brechin, whose fortunes had plummeted when I stopped by in late 2019. “The City” had plummeted from Championship to League 2 in successive seasons, and after a year’s respite due to Covid they fell into… Continue reading BRECHIN WELCOMES THE PUB TICKERS
THE OSNABURG
You left me with a short wait for Forfar’s Osnaburg to welcome me with open arms, enough time to admire Doig’s furniture store, the bridie shop, and, er, the candle store. All Proper towns have dedicated candle shops. It’s a pretty, bustling town crying out for a Wetherspoons and Greggs. Joking. The Osnaburg duly opened… Continue reading THE OSNABURG
A FORFAR FAFF
I’ve no idea why Angus isn’t a chapter in the Guide, when Loch Lomond gets one and it isn’t even a place, but I guess the same applies to “Mid Wales”. The towns between Dundee and Aberdeen are all worth your time, though only Arbroath has smokies. Most English tickers only know places like Brechin… Continue reading A FORFAR FAFF
retiredmartin 