The Tigh an Truish Inn, Oban

The Gaelic Tigh-an-Truish translates into English as "The House of the Trousers," which must make it one of the most unusual pub names in Scotland. The explanation, however, lies in history. When the wearing of kilts was prohibited following the 1745 Jacobite rebellion, Seil Islanders would stop at the Inn to change into trousers before travelling onto the mainland, so it became known as the Tigh-an-Truish. There is an alternative, less romantic, explanation that, before it became a pub, the building was once home to a family of trouser makers. The pub is appropriately old fashioned and traditional looking, inside and out. There is an L-shaped saloon with a side room which might be classed as the lounge. Meals are available and there was a nice, relaxed pub atmosphere with music playing at a low level, but not a TV in sight. The bar has a dart board and a piano, although neither was in use at the time of my visit. A pint of Tennent's lager cost me £3.10 and Tartan Special, McEwan's 80 Shilling and Guinness were also on draught. In addition, there were two hand pumps dispensing Loch Fyne Breweries' Avalanche and Jarl real ales. A positively antique Younger's Alloa Ale sign, the like of which I hadn't seen for decades, hangs above the entrance door. There is a very attractive beer garden at one side and bench seating at the front. From there, you can see the slightly famous "Bridge Over The Atlantic." Officially just called Clachan Bridge, it was built in 1782 and links Seil Island with the mainland. The narrow channel which it crosses is called Seil Sound, which is an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean, hence its more ambitious name.

Official site of the Tigh an Truish, contains menu - www.tighantruish.co.uk

Official site of the Tigh an Truish, contains menu - www.tighantruish.co.uk