Bannockburn Inn, Helmsdale

This is one of only two pubs in Helmsdale which are just about opposite each other. There are two rooms the smaller lounge being used for eating and the main public bar consisting of a small room with darts, a pool table, a jukebox and a television. There were a few locals in on my Wednesday evening visit. The bar has just one hand pump which had Cairngorm Sheepshaggers Gold (£3.00). I found this very sweet, the beer equivalent of a cup of tea with five sugars in it. This is very much a local for the village but it does also do self catering accommodation. With the single real ale it's not really my sort of place but it was OK.