31st May 2022, 09:57
Review submitted by
Old Bootsmore
ReviewRegarded by many as one of the best pubs in Scotland and a long term GBG entry. An hotel and bar opposite the cathedral ruins, the public bar at the front is a dark and cosy room of exposed stone and functional floor, the walls copiously decorated with pump clips and European brewery signs. There’s music possibly from a juke box and there’s what looks like an old PacMan machine, sadly switched off so no reliving of my misspent youth. A much older bagatelle machine sits atop the jukebox and there’s the odd bit of free form decor lurking. There are two pulls, only one in use on my visit with a well kept AIPA from local brewers Cromarty. There is also a wide choice of seven crafts, a cider and and outstanding range of Belgian bottles and crafty cans. There’s a second “Whisky Bar” at the back with the range of about 250 malts plus the beers on in the public bar, this bar seems to be reserved mainly for guests at the hotel and passing diners for the “Smokehouse Restaurant” complete with smoking sign!
26th Oct 2011, 16:48
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24th Aug 2010, 06:47
Review submitted by
E TAmore
ReviewWithout doubt, my favourite pub in Scotland and one I wish I could visit more often. The Anderson has a neo-Gothic feel to it on entering, but this is quickly replaced by a homely atmosphere and a warm welcome from Jim and Anne. Although the restaurant is a little shabby, thsi adds to the feeling of elegant decline. Another atmospheric feature is the jukebox - the only exclusively classical jukebox I've seen in a pub. The food is excellent (Anne is a renowned international chef who produces an original and delicious menu). Jim is passionate about his beer (he decribes himself as a beer geek)and stocks over 80 bottled beers from Europe as well as 4 - 5 ales and ciders on draft (he never keeps a barrel on for more than 4 days) which change weekly. I was only able to enjopy a perfectly kept Island Hopping and a pint of Addlestone's Cloudy due to time pressure. There is also a good range of wines, but again time didn't allow me to enjoy them fully. The pub is popular with CAMRA, winning local branch awards including POTY a couple of times, and providing a weekend venue for branches travelling up from England.
The Anderson's location make it difficult to include in a crawl as the only other decent pub nearby is the Plough in Rosemarkie, but I would highly recommend making the effort to get here for lunch or dinner, and I suspect it would be a great place to stay over if time allows.
23rd Nov 2009, 17:35
Review submitted by
Old Bootsmore
ReviewAn excellent bar cum restaurant cum hotel next to Fortrose Abbey. Run by Jim Anderson, a knowledgable American beer writer and his wife, Anne, an internationally reknowned chef. The small cosy rear bar sells a range of english and scottish cask beers, a huge range of malts and an unrivalled selection of Belgian bottled beers. Matched trays, “flights” of three whiskys are available for comparison purposes. At the front is a large dining room where the menu is seldom the same two days running curtesy of the estimable Mrs Anderson. Too many awards to list in a short review, just go to the Black Isle and try this great place for yourselves.
