Capt Crabbs, Brora

Passing by in the afternoon, I thought this place was closed as it appeared to be in a state of near dereliction. I was pleasantly surprised to discover, later in the evening, that the bar, Captain Crabbs, is still trading, although the rest of the hotel itself is clearly shut. Appropriately for its name and for an old fishing town like Brora, it's a nautically themed bar, furnished with old beer barrels, wooden seats, tables and flooring and eccentically decorated with fishing nets, ships' wheels, ropes, model ships and photographs of sea captains. There are also other outlandish intrusions like a bicycle and a stag's head. There is one TV and a juke box. It was quiet on both the Wednesday and Thursday nights I visited, but I'd imagine it's busier at the weekends, as it's the pub most likely to attract younger people and locals. It's also the cheapest place in town, with Guinness selling at £3.80. Belhaven Best, Foster's and Belhaven Saltire lager and Magner's and Strongbow ciders are also on draught. Beware of the curious male toilet, in which the cubicle is just part of the main toilet area and doesn't have a door(!). Nevertheless, this is the most pub-like of Brora's drinking establishments and worth a visit if you're in the vicinity.

The hotel itself is now closed, but the bar is still open as "Captain Crabb's." I will review it separately under that name.