9/2/2014: Many people will know that I enjoy a glass of real ale. I am a member of CAMRA in the Glasgow & West Scotland Branch. I used to enjoy a lot more than a glass but following a life changing experience I am a lot more abstemious. I often only drink halves. It is easy to go on a crawl in Glasgow, there are a few jewels and several other very good pubs. I will name them at a later date but what I really like to do is get out into Argyll. This is not so easy, the distances are large, public transport is reliable but infrequent, the only way is to find a designated driver and recently a group of us had a very good day.
The weather was wet and cold, this was early February and we needed to visit a number of pubs, gathering data for potential entry into the GBG but also to update WhatPub. Our first stop was the Argyll Arms in Lochgilphead, it was a pleasure find a pub selling two ales in good condition, perhaps a little disappointing that the beers were brewed in Cornwall and Suffolk! The next stop, The Horseshoe Inn in Kilmichael Glassary, we were the only drinkers but a pleasant Deuchars IPA was had. The landlady has a pair of Yorkies (dogs!) which were very well behaved. Our next stop was a favourite of mine, the Kilmartin Hotel. I have stayed here several times, it is amazing to think that a village of just 120 souls can support a pub supplying three ales in tip_top condition. I had a half of Orkney Corncrake, very pleasant. We also had a bowl of chips, it's important to keep the solids up.
The next stop was the Galley of Lorne in Ardfern, I always enjoy coming here as you get a good view of some fine yachts in the marina. The pub is very popular, especially in summer with yachtsmen, they have a reputation for good food, there are rooms available and these are often fully booked in the winter. The bar provides up to four ales in summer, the winter is quieter but they have been running three pumps. I had a half of Butcombe Mendip Spring which was good. We headed further North and had a quick stop at the Cuil Fail Hotel in Kilmelford, a half of Loch Lomond Kessog was in fine condition and Red McGregor was also available. It should be noted that Kilmelford has an interesting letter box as well. For our next visit we had to cross the Atlantic, not so difficult when you use Thomas Telford's bridge to get to Sil Island and the world famous Tigh an Truish Inn, I had my first Fyne Ales of the day here, a half of Highlander.
Time was pressing on, darkness had fallen and we still had two pubs to visit. The Barn in Lerags was next, this is well of the main road but it was busy when we arrived. A roaring fire and a group of musicians were playing and we were stimulated by Vital Spark from Fyne Ales. Our last stop was also a first for all of us. We cruised into Oban and stopped at the new Wetherspoons called the Corryvreckan, it is an inpressive building situated on the pier, cheek by Jowl with the fishing boats. The pub was busy, it has only been open for a couple of weeks so it is still in the honeymoon period. I had a very good pint of Caledonian Auld Acquaintance.
We headed for home but we decided on a final stop at the George in Inverary, a favourite of many a drinker, I enjoyed a half of Arcturus, from the smallest brewery that I know, the Thorn Dhu, which is run from a shed in the brewer's back garden. The trip included nine pubs and 233 miles in 11 hours; great stuff!
15/2/2014: Another day, another trip into the hinterland. This time it is Cowal, a chunk of land between Loch Long and Loch Fyne. A mixture of mountains and glens and never far from some water. The weather has been inclement recently, nothing like as bad as the floods and storms in England but it is cold and there has been snow. Various checks were made on the internet, well we looked at the Rest and Be Thankful webcam, the road was clear so of we headed.
First stop is the Shore House Inn at the head of Loch Goil, to be honest it would be easier to get here by boat, after all that was the only mode of transport in Victorian times but there is now a road good enough for a small bus. This pub is located on the shore and has fantastic views. We enjoyed a pleasant pint of Fyne Ales Highlander and made our exit so as not to disturb a local man and his MBE party!
We sped off through Hell's Glen up a tight single track road, not as bad as it sounds, indeed a bus service uses this road, we had a quick look at Moses Well and zeroed in the GPS for the Whistlefield Inn. An atmospheric place in an elevated position and also the only bar not on the waterfront on today's trip. Houston Killellan awaited us. Time marched on and we headed to the Coylet Inn, a long time favourite. The barmaid (can I still use that term?) was a lady we had met at the George (Inverary) last Sunday. I had a pint of Fyne Ales Nebula, which was in good condition but to my mind too similar to several other of their beers. Also in top condition was Thorn Dhu Skirl, which is brewed in garden shed, albeit built for the purpose behind a house in Loch Gair.
Next stop were the Kyles of Bute. A regular race track for yachts from the Clyde Cruising Club and a really picturesque area. The Royal in Tighnabruich surprised us with a good pint of Hurricane Jack, on all my previous visits the ale had been Highlander. We had a good chat with the Manager and then moved on to the Kames Hotel. Which was busy due to the Tighnabruich Table Tennis Tournament, which was raising money for a table for the local school. I sampled the Fyne Ales Jarl and was not disappointed. Both the Royal and the Kames have moorings and are very popular with yachtsmen.
Time was marching on, it was nearly 5pm and the Oystercatcher awaited. Again a boat in the summer would be the best way to approach this pub, I think there is one bus a week on a Thursday. This is a lovely location, on the waterfront with moorings. Again Jarl was available and in good condition.
Our lost stop was the Creggans Inn at Strachur . Surprise, surprise our friend from the Coylet was there, plus there was a choice of Fyne Ales. I had Vital Spark, a favourite and I was not disappointed.
This had been a great trip, all but one of the pubs was on the water, they were all supplying acceptable to very good beer, like last week in Argyll, the real ale scene is looking good.