The Boat Inn, Aboyne

This country pub.is situated in a picturesque spot on the bank of the River Dee and has a very good local reputation as well as being a regular in the Good Beer Guide. The single extended room interior is quite open and has quite modern feel despite the solid exposed stone walls and wonderful fireplace with its old stove. There are several pictures and drawings of the pub and of the local area adorning the walls and a grandfather clock ticks away at one end. The most charming features is a model steam engine that careers around the perimeter of the bar at head height although there must have been engineering works on my visit as it remained stationary above the bar for the duration of my stay. Unfortunately, as someone merely looking for a couple of pints as we passed through, the emphasis was very much on dining with virtually every table on my visit set out with plate mats and cutlery although there weren’t actually many diners present. The pub (for want of a better word) does have an above average selection of ales with 3 local offerings available – Deeside Lulach and 2 from Inveralmond, Ossien and Independence. Prices were very reasonable for the area and the quality was befitting the pub’s reputation. In front of the bar, a spiral staircase leads up to a function room housed under a vaulted roof. There is also some outdoor seating on a patio to one side of the pub although the pub is on the wrong side of the road to benefit from the proximity of the river. Whilst there is no doubt that this is a well run establishment with a good reputation, I was a bit disappointed due to the overemphasis on the dining element and I felt a bit awkward just sitting there for a couple of pints and having the admittedly attentive staff asking if we wished to eat every now and again. Had I wanted a decent meal I would have been quite happy to dine here and incorporate a few ales with it but for a drinking only session, it just didn’t feel comfortable. That said, it is certainly one of better options in the area for some decent local ales and is worthy of a visit.

The Boat Inn official site, contains menus - theboatinnaboyne.co.uk

The Boat Inn official site, contains menus - theboatinnaboyne.co.uk