Balavil Hotel, Newtonmore

This 51 room hotel dates from the 1880s and was rebuilt in the 1900s as Newtonmore became a busy holiday resort. The public bar is called the "Shinty Bar," reflecting the hotel's and the village's long association with the ancient game of the Highlanders. The walls are decorated with photos of shinty teams and shinty sticks and a glass display cabinet contains several trophies. These were, presumably, won by the local team, Newtonmore Camanachd, who are one of Scotland's (and therefore the world's) top shinty teams. The bar is long and narrow, with the serving area at one end and a pool table at the other. A very welcome real fire is at the end where the bar staff are and, despite the shinty theme, the TV was showing football. A pint of Guinness cost me £3.50 and Tennent's and Innes and Gunn lagers, Caledonia Best and Magner's cider are also on draught.

Official site of Balavil Hotel - www.balavilhotel.com

Official site of Balavil Hotel - www.balavilhotel.com