Kirkwall Hotel, Kirkwall

The traditional 70s-era furnished bar of the hotel (Skipper’s bar is a separate entity to the hotel’s side). It's a comfy and relaxed place mainly set for eating but imbibing is not a problem. Unusual green diamond carpet with inlaid motif, fake mahogany box panel ceiling, curtains around the mirrors (!) and some plush gold fabric padded perimeter seating. Surprised to find an ale on - Swannay Scarpa Special - which was (maybe surprisingly) very good. Also a couple of Orkney bottles in the fridge as well. Friendly service from the black-clad lassies, I guess a new face in the place helped as the other customers appeared (at a guess) to be regular oilmen who were booked in and using the bar for dinner and a pint before bed. In the context of Kirkwall, I thought it was pretty decent. 6.5