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Guess who I met today? with Mobyduck
on the Pub Forum
Image posted by Alastair Barter
Submitted on Saturday, 7th March 2026
With picture contributions to 1958 other pubs
View all this pub's pictures (15 more images)
Detail Pages
The Winking Owl, Aviemore
Aviemore
PH22 1RH
Served areas
Reviews of The Winking Owl (Average Rating: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Soup Dragon left this review about The Winking Owl
As per the last review, although the upstairs seemed it was for dining. The ground floor has a U-shaped bar room, with TVs and a dartboard. Service was good and the clientele mixed. Three real ales on with a decent Cairngorm Wildcat. Popped in a few times for the dartboard, has music nights and it was rammed at the weekend.
On 13th June 2026
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3142 recommendations about 3137 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
David Ross left this review about The Winking Owl
The "Winky, as it is apparently known for short locally, is now managed by the Aviemore based Cairngorm Brewery. Unsurprisingly, therefore, it stocks several of the Brewery's beers. Cairngorm Black Gold, Trade Winds, Stag, Wildcat and Autumn Nuts are all on hand pump, but as I had sampled them in other town pubs, I opted for a pint of Theakston's Black Bull instead. Theakston's Old Peculier and Best Bitter, plus Fosters, Heineken and Birra Moretti lagers and Strongbow cider are also on draught.
Architecturally, the pub is oddly designed, with the modern, lounge style bar on the upper floor and, as far as I could see, only the toilets on the ground floor. There is also a beer garden at the front. The atmosphere was fairly sedate on the Saturday night I visited, with the majority of customers dining, music playing at a moderate level and no TVs in sight. Food is served all day, until 9.30 p.m. and it stays open until 1.00 a.m. at the weekends.
A historical footnote is that the pub is built on the site of the former Aviemore Inn (not to be confused with the bar of that name in the nearby Holiday Park), where Robert Burns was served breakfast in 1787.
On 28th September 2016
- rating: 7
[User has posted 769 recommendations about 683 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tam Galloway left this review about The Winking Owl
To all the staff in the Winking Owl,
Thank you for yet another year of awesome hospitality.
I sampled your fine hospitality over the Thunder wknd as I have over many before.
It needs to be said though.....quality step up to the plate this year...wow.
The bar as usual fantastic, the staff very considerate and patient, the entertainment to yet another level this year,,, well done...right up there with the very best... awesome bands, and famous stars (Captain Jack) how crazy was that guy.
For those reading the blog deciding if this is the pub for them, you will not be disappointed.
To the staff, namely the owner....
Next year will see a rather famous shirt to add to your roof... hope your good to your word.
Take easy, and to the owner and all who sample this fine establishment in the future ride safe.
Tam.
On 1st September 2010
- rating: 10
[User has posted 1 recommendations about 1 pubs]
View more reviews of The Winking Owl (4)
No known official website for this pub.
- Facebook - The Winking Owl, Aviemore
- Twitter - The Winking Owl
- CAMRA WhatPub :: The Winking Owl - whatpub.com
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Accommodation : No last updated 15 February 2017 by ROB Camra
- Beer Festivals : No last updated 15 February 2017 by ROB Camra
- Beer Garden : Yes last updated 15 February 2017 by ROB Camra
- CAMRA Discount : Yes - 20p per pint - last updated 15 February 2017 by ROB Camra
- Car Park : Yes last updated 15 February 2017 by ROB Camra
- Child Friendly : Yes - Until 10 p.m. only if eating - last updated 15 February 2017 by ROB Camra
- Hot Food : Yes last updated 15 February 2017 by ROB Camra
- Live Music : Yes - Occasional - last updated 15 February 2017 by ROB Camra
- Live TV Sports : No last updated 15 February 2017 by ROB Camra
- Micropub : No last updated 15 February 2017 by ROB Camra
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 15 February 2017 by ROB Camra
- Real Cider : No last updated 15 February 2017 by ROB Camra
- WiFi : Yes last updated 15 February 2017 by ROB Camra
