Grand Hotel, Lerwick

Not grand anymore! Up a neglected staircase to find the bars here. The lounge is the first one you see, with a more public bar to the left. The lounge has a faded grandeur of a mid 80’s ‘plush’ refit. Almost deserted on my visit save two people watching the football, I got chatting to the friendly Glaswegian barman. Bottles of Lerwick Brewery available but I unwisely had a rather tinny-tasting half of Tennants. Real ale from Lerwick is apparently available in the summer months. Little here to entice me back, should I ever reappear on these remote and windswept islands.

Not unexpectedly, given the name and the ornate turreted building it’s located in, the bar here is up-market and expensive. If you’re just looking for a drink in the company of local Shetlanders, it’s much better to head for one of the numerous pubs that line “Da Street” instead.