Douglas Arms Hotel, Banchory

This is certainly my pick of the pubs in Banchory. Dating from the mid 19th Century, this Hotel / Pub stands on the main road of this sizeable village. There are 2 entrances, the main one being for the Hotel and the smaller right hand entrance for the pub. The main bar is a relatively unspoilt Victorian bar that is listed in the CAMRA Scottish True Heritage Pubs guide. The décor is quite plain although the addition of several flags for various World Cup nations (including a rare outing for the St George’s Cross) added a splash of colour. The floors are bare and the furnishings simple with 3 alcoves of seating set against the wall opposite the long bar and a row of stools at the bar itself. 2 large vintage mirrors from long defunct local breweries bookend the room and the pub name is patterned into the partly frosted windows. A dart board is neatly housed at the far end and twin flat screens are positioned behind the bar although partly obscured from some angles by a pair of thin pillars in front of the bar. Behind the main bar is a spacious pool room with a further dart board and a selection of sporting memorabilia including signed Manchester City & Aston Villa shirts and a 2003 US Masters flag signed by local golfing hero Paul Laurie. Nearer the main entrance is a smaller cosy snug bar with exposed stone walls, an open fire and another flat screen TV. I paid a couple of visits whilst staying a week in the village and there were 3 Ales available both times; Caledonian Deuchers, Houston Peters Well and Deeside Lullach (was replaced by Arran Red Squirrel on my 2nd visit). There is a display of pump clips behind the bar which suggests a good rotating guest beer policy. They are frequently mentione din the Good Beer Guide and the quality of all the ales I treid was fine apart from the Red Squirrel which for some reason was almost undrinkable. I would like to think this was just a rogue beer and that I was just unlucky with this one ale as I have read no other reports of any problems quality wise. The pub also has a good reputation for food although we didn’t eat here on either of our visits. The staff and customers were friendly enough although we did witness one idiot being served who could barely stand but he was soon ushered out of the pub by his slightly more sober mate and he did seem to be an isolated case. On the whole, a pleasant enough place with and certainly worthy of a stopping by if you are in the area.