Ship Inn, Dundee

This is a very pleasant pub with a nicely fitted traditional interior, boasting fine views out across the River Tay. You enter into a carpeted front room with tongue and groove panelling and lots of nautical themed decor. Over to the left, there is a sizable curved servery with a dark wood counter, fronted with several ships’ figureheads, and a smart mirrored bar back. The whole room has a series of gold friezes running around beneath the ceiling and lintels. Bench and low stool seating under the front windows offer the best viewing position from which to watch the river and perhaps catch a glimpse of the castle too. Elsewhere, seating is a little limited, with high stools and drinking ledges opposite the bar before a long rear room emerges beyond the end of the servery. This area redresses the seating imbalance somewhat, thanks to long rows of tables and benches in a half panelled space that felt a little bit like an overspill area from the more pleasant main bar space. Elsewhere, I noted a small collection of paperback books on a shelf opposite the bar, some old lamps, a collection of gin bottles and a couple of TV screens showing muted Sky Sports News. Music was playing, but lost under the general chatter and I realised that the vast majority of people were eating, with just a small handful of us around the bar area enjoying drinks only. There were three ales on the bar – Orkney Northern Lights, Atlas Blizzard and Taylor Landlord. I gave the Northern Lights a try and was served a lovely drop by the busy but friendly barmaid. I didn’t get a look at the menu, but the food that I saw coming past me looked very appetising. Despite being so dominated by food trade on my lunchtime visit, I found this a really nice spot to enjoy a drink and the fine views its location affords. The pub has a warm feel, enhanced by the cheery welcome and I enjoyed my brief stop off here.

This was the Daily Record pub of the year 1997.One of my pubs of the year 2016.Great wee pub with 3 cask beers on.Upstairs restaurant. Mostly brown wood panelled with 2 ships masthead figures attached to each end of the bar. Friendly barmaid.I tried Eden Mill -st Andrews blond and the superb Kelburn -jaguar.

Like the Royal Arch this is a tiny pub that was dominated by the crass TV screens which it transpired were just showing pre-season friendlies. There is a small bar at the front with a back room and both had TV screens blaring out that nobody seemed to be taking much interest in. The bar has only three hand pumps which had Taylor's Landlord, Orkney Puffin and Speyside Bow Fiddle Blonde. I went for the Puffin (£3.35) which was in good nick but unmemorable. Like the Royal Arch this one is also GBG 2016 listed and I marginally preferred it but wouldn't return unless I found the TV screens turned off.

Boasting a fine array of single malts,the Ship also has an upstairs restaurant,with plush seating,dark wood and structured into a ships format,with an extensive menu serving excellent food.