Perhaps uniquely in the English-speaking (as opposed to Scots-speaking) world, I know where Linlithgow is. Quite a stately town, the Cirencester of the north. I know it’s got an ancient Palace; we’d dragged the boys round it on the way to see the Falkirk horses (much more exciting). The most interesting thing about the walk… Continue reading GO, GO TO LINLITHGOW
Tag: Scottish pubs
BELHAVEN ON THE ROCKS
Contrary to popular belief, I don’t do this blog just to keep Russ out of trouble, keeping him indoors drafting “witty” responses. Writing this rubbish is therapeutic, apparently, and trying to match photos to scruffy notes and construct a narrative invigorating. Next up, Dunbar. Yes, the Dunbar just visited by Duncan. A short day trip… Continue reading BELHAVEN ON THE ROCKS
GOTHENBURGS – NEW GLORIES IN NEWTONGRANGE
Phew. I thought I’d lost my photos of the Dean Tavern in Newtongrange, yet another highlight of my Borders Bonanza (as history will record it). Not that it would matter, as the Pubmeister did a sterling job of capturing its glories last month. Duncan’s piece tells you all you need to know about… Continue reading GOTHENBURGS – NEW GLORIES IN NEWTONGRANGE
DUMBFOUNDED BY DUNFERMLINE
It’s unforgivable, I know, but I still get Dumbarton and Dunfermline mixed up. The former is the west coast mecca of real ale that Tandleman writes about, the latter the only thing between you and the east coast joys of Glenrothes, of which more too soon. Anyway, I started at Edinburgh Waverley, where I failed… Continue reading DUMBFOUNDED BY DUNFERMLINE
A ROAR HEARD FROM BUDAPEST TO HAWICK
Scotland doesn’t do average. For every dull dining pub or vinegar tasting experience, there seems to be a classic boozer that would hold its head high in Sedgley or Stockport or Woolwich. Onwards to Hawick. It’s a pretty place, very atmospheric at dusk last Tuesday. And a proper Scottish town, with a Spoons so… Continue reading A ROAR HEARD FROM BUDAPEST TO HAWICK
YOU CAN’T HURRY KELSO
You left us in Rutherfords, contemplating whether to start a game of skittles and just work through the beers/gins. But drinking on an empty stomach remains a daft notion, even in Scotland, and we set off over the cobbles for Cobbles. Or “Cobbles Freehouse & Dining“, just to emphasise that we were going to get… Continue reading YOU CAN’T HURRY KELSO
A SENSIBLE NIGHT IN KELSO ALWAYS AVOIDS TREPANNING AFTER GIN
Don’t oversell your blog posts, folks. Last 3 things said by @christinet50 "More gin""The spoons won't reach""Phil Collins"Going to be a good blog from #Kelso pic.twitter.com/Q6PwFQqK2K — Martin Taylor (@NHS_Martin) February 18, 2018 Unless you’ve got something really important to say like the availability of flat Bass in a proper pub, anyway. One night… Continue reading A SENSIBLE NIGHT IN KELSO ALWAYS AVOIDS TREPANNING AFTER GIN
JARL, AND THE SEARCH FOR A THIRD HEART IN COLDSTREAM
I could have lumped The Castle in with the Besom on the previous post but I find writing more than 500 words tiring as I reach extreme old age. Even BRAPA is cutting back on those “Moby Dick” length posts these days. Onto the Castle Hotel. Looking at the Google extract now, it’s evident there’s… Continue reading JARL, AND THE SEARCH FOR A THIRD HEART IN COLDSTREAM
DISDAIN FOR HARRY KANE IN THE BESOM
I’m not sure Mrs RM is enjoying her contract in the Borders as much as I am; I hope the tired Greene King IPA and deep fried haggis at our hotel are compensation for being shouted at because Scots can’t find the “On” button. Only one day ’till Kelso, which I hope you’ll find… Continue reading DISDAIN FOR HARRY KANE IN THE BESOM
THE SUNNYSIDE OF COATBRIDGE
An emotional trip to Coatbridge, which as a child I thought was called Albion. In the late ’70s I collected football programmes, largely from the legendary Steve Earl of Bungay. On my 13th birthday I was allowed to visit Steve’s stockroom on the way back from Southwold; I’m not sure Steve was that pleased by an unannounced personal visit,… Continue reading THE SUNNYSIDE OF COATBRIDGE
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