Headed to Scotland

THere's not much beerwise in Dufftown. Best bet is to get to Charleston of Aberlour for the Mash Tun or Craigellachie for the Highlander Inn. Both are about 5kn away from Dufftown. And don't tip when drinking beer in the pub. Its an alien concept here. But its the usual 15% if your eating at a restaurant or are eating a meal in the pub (with or without beer).

 

15% ? And I thought the scots were tight ???!!!

 

10% is the norm in these parts. Scots are actually a generous people , just careful
In any case, tipping for a meal in a pub isn't usual or expected, particularly where you pay up front.It is acceptable though to offer the server a drink though it will most often be declined.

 

It is sort of I'm sfraid.

I was going to suggest a tour of BrewDog in Forfar but on reflection its a 2 and a half hour journey even in a car.

Failing that there's always Belvenie Castle and Auchindoun Castle to see. You could also zip up the A941 and then take the A95 North to Keith and check out the competition at Mortlach. Aberlour isn't far away either..

 

Just had a quick peep at a map. Hitch a ride up to Fraserburgh and go troll those Brewdog boys!

 

Thanks for the correction jazzyjeff. Don't know what possessed me to sat Forfar when I meant Fraserburgh. Too much juice still in my veins from the weekend I suspect.

 

If I was free this coming weekend I just might have been up for that trade/share too. Dang it.

 

I've never given a tip in a pub haha even for a meal. I'm a student so not even in the few times i've been to a restaurant muahaha.

 

That'll be that Double Simcoe working through your system!

 

Here's where you need to go and in the appropriate order:

Halfway House 24 Fleshmarket Close
The Bow Bar, 80 West Bow
BrewDog Edinburgh, 143 Cowgate
Cloisters 26 Broughton Street

That should keep you going and pretty central. Also, and on route from the Halfway House to the Bow Bar, be sure to stop in at RoyalMileWhiskies (yep, its on the Royal Mile) at 379 High Street for a small but well selected range of Scottish bottled beers and whisky of course.

Too bad I'm busy over the weekend...

 

Certainly can't disagree with Zimbo's selections. His review of the Bow states "Easily Scotland's holy cathedral of dispension by air pressure this has been one of Edinburgh's best real ale pubs for some twenty years." Not too shabby.
I would add the Guilford Arms in the New Town, if only for it's grand wooden ambiance (and tiled ceiling). Also, I am very fond of the Cumberland, although it is a little out of the way (on Cumberland St near King George V park). And if in town on a Thursday night, check out the live 'traditional' music at The Tass on the Mile across from World's End. We've had a very good time there in the past.

 

Good call on the Guilford Arms but since its close by you'd also have to mention the Abbotsford, 3 Rose Street just a couple minutes down the road. Quite good it is for hard to find beers from small quality Scottish breweries. Tass is fine too. Then there's also the Oxford Bar , 8 Young Street and Thomson's, 182/184 Morrison Street just a short jaunt from Haymarket Station. And I haven't even mentioned Diggers, Kay's Bar, Leslie's Bar or the Starbank Inn yet either. And there are a fair number of others too. Hope the OP is feeling flush and has packed an extra liver or two.

 

Two others come to mind if you are interested in history and atmosphere. First is the Jolly Judge in James Court just off the Mile also. Very cozy.
Farther afield is one that I think doesn't get the attention that its history dictates it should. Reputedly a public house since 1360, the Sheep Heid Inn in Duddingston is a nice place for a sandwich and a pint. You can find it on the far side of Holyrood Park from Edinburgh, a 15 min walk by road or a more adventurous trek if you go up and over Arthur's Seat.

 

Ah, Duddingston - what images that name conjures up. Seven breweries in a village with just two streets. Including the ill-fated Pattison's.

http://barclayperkins.blogspot.de/2012/04/duddingston.html

 

Sadly the Oxford looked nowt like it did on the Rebus tv series.