The Highlander Hotel, Scarborough

This is effectively a hotel bar, but with a load of regulars from the surrounding flats. Used to be a top place when it had it's own brewery several years ago. It's still OK, with pleasant decor and a fair range of real ales, although not as inventive as previously. They now tend to stick with larger breweries beers. I had Hobgoblin last time I called which was pretty good. Still probably the best pub on the South Cliff.

Positioned high up on the Esplanade, this pub has a "Scottish" theme. Tartan carpet and a collection of whiskeys second to none. (Well worth a visit to look at these alone.) The real ale was well kept and the food we tasted was good. The downside for my wife and myself was that, in spite of visiting six or seven times while on holiday, we felt very much "strangers". No one ever chatted to us or even said "hello". The regulars seemed to keep in their own little "cliques". Because of this I have reduced what would have been an otherwise "good" rating.

Flowers, Tetley's, Hancock's and guests. Patio overlooking South Bay, food available lunchtimes.