Sutherland Inn, Brora

Although this is the bar of a hotel, it has pretty much a village pub atmosphere, with a mixture of locals, residents and other visitors both eating and drinking. Food is served until 8.30 p.m. The bar room is modern, with light coloured wood on the walls and padded seating around the sides and bar stools at the counter. Music was playing at a low level and the TVs were muted. There was one real ale available: Orkney Brewery's Corncrake Ale, which sold at £3.70 a pint and was in good condition. Also on draught were Guinness, at an expensive £4.25 a pint, McEwan's 80 Shilling, Strongbow cider and Orkney Gold, Fosters and Kronenbourg lagers. From the car park, below street level at the back, I could see in the window of what appeared to be another bar, with a pool table. It was in darkness, however, and clearly not open on either the Wednesday or Thursday night I passed by. Possibly it opens at weekends, however, as it didn't look disused. The Sutherland is probably the best place to go in Brora if you're looking for a normal pub.

Official site of the Sutherland Inn Hotel - www.sutherlandinn.co.uk

Official site of the Sutherland Inn Hotel - www.sutherlandinn.co.uk