The Castle Tavern, Inverness

Sited a few yards from the castle after which it is named, The Castle Tavern is an appealing building althought the crwod of smokers immediately outside the door is a little off-putting. Once inside, you find a small, friendly pub on two levels both of which have a bar. Traditional Scottish food and five real ales are on offer. I had a pint each of Cairgorm Trade Winds and Skye Red Cuillin, both perfectly kept and enjoyable. The food was good too. The current tenants took over about two years ago and have transformed a fairly poor pub into one of Inverness's best. Well worth a visit and a definite for including in a crawl.

Official site of the Castle Tavern, contains menus - www.castletavern.net

Official site of the Castle Tavern, contains menus - www.castletavern.net

Small pub opposite the castle with an ornate cast iron canopy in the front smoking/drinking area. Mixed décor inside with modern styling and lots of cast iron work in a balustrade of a raised area, in brackets and in pillars holding up the bar canopy. Laminate flooring with a cream and brown colour scheme and a mix of local sports team pictures, maps and old photos of Inverness. There is a fine collection of old Inverness pub signs on the staircase leading down to the basement toilets. Seating on a mix of chairs and pews at cast iron tables of various types. Five handpumps serving well kept beers from smaller Scottish breweries and there is a whisky menu and of course a wine list. A mix of drinkers and diners, the food is good value and appears locally sourced in the main. Service from the pneumatic barmaid was a bit vague but it was busy, actually it's so small inside it gets busy quite easily. Listed in the 2010 GBG.