The Ettrick Bar, Glasgow

Odd, chalet-style, façade housing the bar in a high square room with a 'U'-shaped counter. Fairly sparse decor, with just some unusual light fittings to look at. Music at slightly more than background level and a silent sports TV. Also has a separate lounge (not visited). My hopes were raised momentarily when I saw a handpump with a Deuchars IPA clip but this turned out to be off. Made do with a pint of keg Schiehallion (£3.10, and served in the right glass), but I didn't feel particularly comfortable here so didn't hang around long.

There have been no significant changes to the structure or appearance of the pub since I was last here, but the real ales seem to have been discontinued, although the two hand pumps are still there. The draught selection is now restricted to McEwan's Export (at £2.85 a pint), Caledonia Best, Guinness, Tennents and Stella Artois lagers and Magners Golden Draught and Blackthorn ciders.

An impressive, Swiss chalet style building containing a separate bar and lounge. Both are roomy, but alcoves and partitions give them a cosy and less barn-like appearance than if they were regularly shaped. The continuous horseshoe bar serving both gives the impression that The Ettrick might once have been one huge bar room, but it is now divided by an internal wall, with connecting doors linking both the service and customer areas. There are TVs and games machines in the bar and a screen in the more subtly lighted lounge too, with music playing in both, but not loudly. Beers on draught are Tennents and Stella Artois lager, McEwan’s Export, Belhaven Best and Guinness. There was also one real ale, Deuchars IPA, which had only recently been introduced and the young barman serving me said it was the first pint of it he’d ever poured! Nevertheless, it was in perfect condition and good value at £2.75. To my mind, this is undoubtedly the best of the three pubs in Old Kilpatrick village and one I’ll be visiting again next time I’ve been walking in the Kilpatrick Hills.