Whey Pat Tavern, St. Andrews

The Whey Pat Tavern is situated on a busy junction, just outside St Andrews City centre. Speaking to the barman, apparently the reason children aren't allowed here is because the local council won't grant them a license due to the busy road outside. So having navigated the road to find this out with said child and wife, they were forced to cross back over to kill time elsewhere. This rather defeated the object of the council's rationale and according to the barman, they are losing out on quite a bit of trade as a result of this lack of common sense. As a Belhaven/Greene King pub, this one had a much more prominent range of English beers than I'd found everywhere else in Scotland. Greene King IPA is a regular beer, whilst they also had Greene King Abbot & Black Sheep Best Bitter. I opted for the only Scottish beer, which was Harviestoun Bitter & Twisted. A number of locals were glued to the Arsenal v Watford game on the TV. But the pub was otherwise quiet. It's a carpeted place that stretches back a fair way from the front bar. Not the best or worst pub in St Andrews. But I wouldn't rule out a return visit here next time I'm in the city.

Popular local, located just outside the main city gate, and doing very good business early on a Saturday evening. Opened out at some stage to leave a 'L'-shaped layout with a slightly inconvenient narrow strip in front of the counter. Also has a separate lounge further back and a rear patio area. Refurbished with a mix of traditional and modern elements. Five real ales on handpump: Belhaven 1719 and Black, Greene King IPA and Abbot, and Karl from Fyne Ales (£3.80).

Official site of The Whey Pat Tavern - www.wheypat-standrews.co.uk

Official site of The Whey Pat Tavern - www.wheypat-standrews.co.uk