The Robert the Bruce (JD Wetherspoon), Dumfries

Very imposing 'spoons, rebuilt behind the previously disintegrating façade of the former Methodist Church. Very tall main seating area under a decorated cupola in front of the bar, with more tables in a raised area further back and upstairs on the balcony. Two banks of six handpumps, albeit fully duplicated, offering Doom Bar, Abbot, Broadside, Deuchars IPA, Goff's Jouster and Autumn Daze from Three Castles (£2.15).

Official site of The Robert the Bruce (JD Wetherspoon) - www.jdwetherspoon.com

Official site of The Robert the Bruce (JD Wetherspoon) - www.jdwetherspoon.com

At last, a pub with some decent beer on sale. Large main room as you enter with bar at the rear. Many seats before the bar and an upstairs area which was full on my Friday night visit. A reasonable selection of ales, including Marston's Old Empire.

As mentioned below this is a grand old building with a high ceiling and an upstairs gallery. It was busy on my Thursday night visit with largely groups of younger folk. It did strike me that this place was very well run with tables being cleared and the staff coping with the rush when a large group turned up. Although there are twelve hand pumps everything was doubled up. The six beers were the Scottish version of the JDW Trio Of Doom, Sadler's Peaky Blinder and two festival ales. I went for the Brewster's Hop Quest (£2.25 festival price) which was in excellent condition. This is one of the better Spoons.