The Robert Hamilton, Airdrie

As a Wetherspoons it probably has the best ale selection in Airdrie, but that isn’t saying much and it might just be the only place in Airdrie that sells real ale. And the selection wasn’t brilliant on my visit with Butcombe Blond being the pick of the bunch, with Deuchars IPA and one or two others being on offer. The pub itself is rather an odd shape, with a fairly standard bar area on the ground floor as you enter. This leads to a large raised area at the back with normal tables and chairs, and from this area stairs lead up to a balcony area with more standard seating. It’s obviously a high street conversion from something, but from what I couldn’t make out. The main bar area is well lit, with the area at the back being particularly gloomy. If it was anywhere else I wouldn’t give this pub much trade, but the dearth of real ale in Airdrie possibly makes it the best pub in town. Sparklers are a standard feature on the ale dispensers.