The Strathcarron Hotel, Strathcarron

A change or two since my last visit, the entrance is now round the back into something called the bothy bar. Different parts of the hotel seem to open at different times of day which is a pain. A pool table dominates the Bothy Bar and there’s basic seating around, decor is largely Scottish based; pictures, posters and framed extracts from the Broons and Oor Wullie. A couple of bicycles are stuck to the ceiling. Service is from a hatch in the corner, available (theoretically) beers are listed on a blackboard to one side. I enjoyed a Strathcarron Golden Cow, the only cask on on this occasion. Cash is preferred

Former railway hotel beside Strathcarron station, for drinks there are two bars but the larger of the two was closed off, it has a counter but seems used as a restaurant. The smaller one is decidedly compact and bijou, painted brick to one side, green painted wallpaper the other, two walls are well covered in photos, paintings, ads, signs and stuff. Another wall has a TV screen and a framed collection of pages of The Broons, Oor Wullie is in the unisex toilets. The dividing wall between the bars is devoted to photos of a local shinty team and includes their sticks in a frame. Beerwise only one handpump of the local brewery’s beer, although bottles were available, the keg choice was just San Mig’ and McEwans Export. There are handpumps and a horseshoe in the larger bar but I couldn’t see the details. Pizzas are advertised, including the very Scottish haggis and black pudding “Highlander”.

We'd passed by the Strathcarron Hotel earlier in the afternoon on the way from Lochcarron to Plockton. Unfortunately, the pub has recently changed its opening hours for the winter and now only opens from 4pm on just 2 days of the week (Fridays and Saturdays). We returned under cover of darkness, nearly ploughing into an unlit wheelbarrow near the entrance. The pub car park sits alongside the platform of the local station and after leaving the pub, we did see what was presumably the last train of the night from Kyle of Lochalsh chugging along the loch in the direction of Strathcarron. Just the single small room was open for drinkers, of which there were 4 others on our visit. Two appeared to be locals, with another couple also visiting. The local Strathcarron brewery supplies the real ale here. The solitary ale was their Red Cow. A quiet place. It's a shame that winter opening hours are so restrictive.

Official site of The Strathcarron Hotel - www.strathcarronhotel.co.uk