Settle Inn, Stirling

slightly stale feeling old pub, no real ale on my visit. Old but quiet, no real atmosphere

Advertised as the “auldest pub in Stirling” it’s down hill from the castle and certainly looks old. Entering at the front the counter is to the right with a sitting area to the left, further back to the right is a barrel vault with more seating. Although there are three pulls at the end of the counter the only beer on was deemed not right by the barmaid so I had to have a keg beer from Williams Brothers, an India Pale Lager (IPL). Otherwise there’s some other Scottish kegs and some UK standards. I visited on a busy Saturday night and apparently someone forget to order the beer! This is a GBG 2025 listed pub BTW. It was pretty busy with punters standing in the narrow space opposite the counter and a line of bar blockers on stools along it. Mostly older folks but a few possibly students in one corner. The low ceiling and old stonework etc give it bags of atmosphere but I’m always put off by a solid wall of arses at the counter.