Bandstand Bar (Braeval Hotel), Nairn

Bar and restaurant operation with an unlikely (given the location) specialism on ales, ciders, gin and (more obviously) whisky. The front of the pub facing the water with great views is - sadly for the imbibers - a restaurant area. The main bar area is large and looks to have been three areas in times past. Bar area is fairly plain but improves as you move back towards the restaurant with tartan carpet, large high back bench seating, a couple of booths and a wood burning stove in the central ‘middle’ area. Drinks stats: 150+ whisky, 22 gins, 7 ales, 5 real ciders. Ales majored from Scotland (alongside a fellow Celtic interloper from Tiny Rebel) and my John O' Groats Hopscotch was pretty good, if somewhat cold. Overall it doesn't quite hang together as a pub to merit a top mark but the ale selection and care thereof demands a visit in an otherwise barren part of the country. According to WhatPub there is a 10% discount on accommodation for CAMRA members.

Official site of the Braeval Hotel - www.braevalhotel.co.uk

Official site of the Braeval Hotel - www.braevalhotel.co.uk