Blackfriars, Inverness

Long before there was Blackfriars, the building in Academy Street, which was built around 1793, was originally used as a general provisions store and coffee house up until 1867, when it became Frasers Temperance Hotel. It continued to trade as “Frasers“ until about 1930 when it once again changed its name, trading as an Artisans bar named “The Academy Bar” with the Rose Street Foundry across the road now in full production. In 1964 the premises were bought by “Scottish and Newcastle Breweries”, renamed the Abertarff (a reference to the oldest house in Inverness built in 1593) and continued to trade being very popular with patrons and artists visiting “The Empire Theatre” a hundred yards up Academy Street. In 1986 the pub was renamed “The Rose and Thistle”. But this name lasted just two weeks before it was re-named again to “The Foundry”. Unfortunately this was just before the closure of the foundry across the road. Finally it was renamed “Blackfriars Highland Pub" and today after two hundred years it remains a landmark in the city. The place has been recommended by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and listed in the Good Beer Guide 2010; Blackfriars is also holder of the prestigious Cask Marque award. There is a great choice of REAL ALES are available from Scottish breweries such as Scapa Special, Orkney Blast, Ossian and at least 4 more. There is also some from English breweries such as Okell's Dr.Okell IPA, Hook Norton Old Hooky and a few more to sample. There is a snack come lunch menu available and a main meal menu. The prices are similar to Glasgow prices. The place sits just over 100metres from the train station.