Lossie Inn, Lossiemouth

Overlooking Lossiemouth’s sandy beach, the Lossie Inn’s greatest asset is probably its location. The pub is split between distinctly different buildings with the original solid stone cottage building now used mainly for dining and the main bar situated in a couple of fairly modern single storey add ons. The main bar is functional without being particularly appealing. The walls have bare expanses with the occasional whisky and brewery mirror largely overshadowed by cheap posters. A few signed photos of Scottish Sports stars (Denis Law, Sandy Lyle and Jock Stein among them) can be found next to the pool table which takes up one corner of the bar. There is also a dart board and 3 decent flat-screen TVs which were showing World Cup football. The dining area has its own section of bar and was more decent café than posh restaurant. Despite being lunchtime, sunny and tourist season, there was no-one actually dining. Outside by the main entrance are a couple of benches under umbrellas overlooking the East Beach although it was more of a wind farm than a sun trap the day we called in. There wasn’t a lot on the beer front with just the usual keg bitters and lagers and no Real Ales. The food was basic pub grub with main meals around £5-8 however we ate from their “credit crunch” menu which was very good value at £4 for the likes of Haggis, Neeps & Tatties and Mrs B’s vegetarian tastes were suitably catered for. We found the staff very friendly and helpful although we were initially wary of the customer base that comprised of a group of young people sharing turns on the pool table although they looked more intimidating than they were, even asking us politely if we minded if they put the jukebox on as the footy on the screens had finished. The pub is a simple and straightforward place and certainly won’t be among the favourites of anyone outside its regular customers but it catered for our requirements at the time.