Tam o'Shanter Inn, Dumfries

Scruffy exterior but a better maintained interior which although tidy has succumbed to the ubiquitous grey paintbrush (I didn’t realise there was another room further back which may have been better). Three pumps with two bags o' nothin in GK OSH and Caledonian Deuchars IPA, luckily the Five Kingdoms Olicana was on and easily the best choice and was in great shape (NBSS 4). Radio 1, a down-at-the-mouth barmaid and a local oddball for company which made for an awkward atmosphere, I’d hazard a guess that a lot of its trade had decamped to the Fleshers that afternoon. Didn't do much for me as a pub but worth its GBG place; I’d give it another go for the beer quality and see what I got next time.

Obviously quite an old building, but this apparently small pub has a surprisingly modern appearance inside - just three tables and a few barstools, and light paintwork giving an airy feel. However, on further inspection, there is a much more traditional snug and pool room further back, plus an upstairs room too. Five of six handpumps in operation, with four from Broughton (Dark Dunter and three IPAs - Clipper, No 5 Proper and the 6.2 and the more local Sulwath Criffel (£3.10).