The Lorne, Lochgilphead

The first thing that struck me here was the shortage of seats and tables. Apart from five stools at the bar, there is only one small table with chairs around it. A line of banquette seating along one wall provides more places to park your posterior, but without tables to park your pint on. There is, however, plenty of standing room. The second thing that struck me was how cold it was. Having just returned from a wet day in the Ardrishaig hills, the last thing I needed was a cold pub. But even the barmaid was heavily jacketed, as was the only other customer. The single radiator was, she claimed, on full, but with minimal effect in the medium sized bar. Alcohol shouldn’t be the third issue which comes to your attention in a pub, but it was here. My perfect pint of Belhaven Best cost £2.80 and Belhaven Black Stout, Tennent’s and Carling lagers and Strongbow cider are also on draught. There is a pool table, a dart board and two TV screens. Acoustic guitars on the shelves suggest musical events take place. I was only here for half an hour, so this is only a snapshot opinion, but this has the potential to be a much better pub than it appeared to me, starting with more heating and seating.