back to sample the inn‘s award-winning high teas. weekends from 4-6.30pm. At £7.25. high tea includes a main meal. tea. scones. toast and heaps and heaps of cakes. An ordinary pint of lager comes in at £1.50 or select from the real ales on offer: Greenmantle’s a regular. but the guest beers from local breweries change weekly. Look out for the village‘s Denholtn Folk Club. members of which meet at the Cross Keys every second Thursday. Guest folk artists are invited on alternate Thursdays.
I The Four Marys 67 High Street. Linlithgow (off M8. twelve miles west of Edinburgh). 01506 842171. Mon—Fri noon—2.30pm. 5—1 lpm; Sat
noon—l 1.45pm; Sun 12.30—2.30pm.
7—1 lpm. Last orders for food 2pm/8pm; drink 10.45pm (11.35pm Sat).
Situated in the town centre. The Four Marys dates back to the 1700s and has an ‘olde worlde’ feel. with wood-panelled walls covered with paraphernalia featuring Mary Queen of Scots. A selection of real ales is offered. and a pint of lager costs around £1.70. The bar menu features dishes like chicken pie. spaghetti bolognese and smoked salmon platter. at an average price of £4.50. Children are welcome. Linlithgow Palace is just up the hill (01506 842896) and the pub is a popular stop-off point for local ghost walks — in fact it has its own ghost too! Also making its way through the town centre is the Marches Day annual gala procession which this year takes place on 18 June.
I The Goblin Ha’ Hotel Main Street. Gifford. East Lothian (beneath the Lammermuir Hills). 01620 810244. Mon—Thurs l lam—2.30pm. 5—1 lpm; Fri and Sat Ham—2.30pm. 5pm-midnight; Sun llam—l lpm. Last orders for food Sun-Thurs 2pm/9pm. Fri and Sat 9.30pm; drink Sun-Thurs 10.45pm. Fri and Sat 11.45pm.
The Goblin Ha’ takes its name from part of the nearby 11th century Yester Castle. When the castle was demolished, an entire floor disappeared underground. and still exists today (the castle itself was rebuilt). The bar offers a range of cask-conditioned ales which changes regularly; expect to pay around £1.60 for a pint of lager. The bar menu features fish dishes. and the herbs and vegetables are home-grown. Popular specials include Nomegian redfish and the Goblinburger; and sweets are home-made (average price for a meal is £6—£8). Afternoon teas are also served. A pool room adjoins the bar. and there is also a pétanque court in the hotel. The three acres of land outside include a beer garden. a play area and a pet comer with rabbits, lambs and a horse. The area is a haven for golfers (eighteen courses within a twelve-mile radius) and is rich in nature walks. The town of Haddington is also nearby.
um loo South Queensferry (on A90. eight miles from Edinburgh centre), 013!
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331 1990. Mon—Thurs llam—l lpm; Fri and Sat Ham—midnight; Sun noon—11pm. Last orders for food 9.45pm; dn'nk Sun—Thurs 10.45pm. Fri and Sat 11.45pm. Cowering beneath the imposing presence of the Forth Rail Bridge. the view from the bar of the Hawes Inn has to be one of the most recognised in the world. But the inn has a history of its own: from the 16th century onwards. the great and good have stayed here. from Sir Walter Scott to Robert Louis Stevenson. Indeed it said that while RLS resided here he wrote Kidnapped. Because of its location. the inn tends to be overrun by tourists in the summer. but it shrugs on its casual clothes more in the off-season months. when all sorts tramp through the bar. from waterskiiers in their wetsuits from the nearby club on Port Edgar to families with children and punters in their kilts and jackets. There's plenty of bracing walks to be had along the Forth coast. The bar food features steak pie. lasagne or fish and chips for around £5-£6. and a pint of lager is £1.70.
I Th8 loadhum Inn West Linton. Peeblesshire (near Penicuik. nine miles from Peebles), 01968 672952. Mon—Sun Ham—midnight. Last orders for food Mon—Thurs 2.30pm/9pm. Fri and Sat 10pm; drink 11.45pm.
One of the oldest pubs in Scotland. the Leadbum has been in business since 1777. It’s probably most renowned nowadays for its train carriage: a 1970s British Rail dining car which has been refurbished to accommodate sixteen tables. The carriage is only open at weekends; during the week diners can eat in the lounge area or in the glass-fronted conservatory. The menu is wide-ranging: staples like lasagne. scampi and steak pie are joined by daily specials such as lamb cutlets and chicken supreme (average price £5). A children‘s menu is also available. Expect to pay £1.70 for a pint; the bar also offers a selection of real ales. ln sunny weather. customers can drink outside on the patio; there is also a grassy area with wooden tables and benches. in poor weather, you can still settle for a panoramic view of the hills from inside the bar. Entertainments include a fortnightly quiz night. and there is live music every month.
I The Old Mill Blyth Bridge. West Linton. Tweeddale (21 miles south of Edinburgh on main A701 Moffat Road). 01721 752220. Mon—Sun 10am-2.30pm/6pm—midnight. Last orders for food 2pm/9.30pm; drink 11.45pm. This is a great stopping point for many walkers to wet their whistles in the quaint. circular. spacious bar of what was once a working corn mill. Nearby Baddinsgill Reservoir is a favourite for birdwatchers. and there's an old Roman road not far away - you can get directions from behind the bar. The Old Mill is situated in one acre of gardens sloping down to a river, and while children explore, adults can sit out and enjoy the summer sun. In
Need Valley Hotel otters remarkable vim
COUNTRY PUB GUIDE FEATURE
winter. gleaming brasses reflect flames from open hearths. tnill masonry is muted by lamplight. and a warm glow soon spreads. The standard three course lunch is £9.10. and sample dishes include prawn salad or garlic mushrooms. choice of beef. venison or salmon. and a selection from the sweet trolley.
I The Queen’s Head Inn 28 West Port. Selkirk (on A7 five miles south of Galashiels). 01750 21782. Mon—Sun
l lam-midnight. Last orders for food 2.30pm/9pm; drink 11.45pm.
Boasting the most extensive vegetarian bar menu in town. the Queen‘s Head‘s new summer menu includes baguettes (£2.85). salads. lighter snacks and ploughman's lunch (£4.25) as well as the usual lasagne. haddock. etc. Children are welcome. A pint of lager will set you back £1.65. The cobbles round the back and the wooden beamed low ceiling testify to the inn‘s previous existence as a coaching house. Having sampled its menu and hospitality. what else can you do in the area? Masses. Within a five-minute drive of the inn is Bowhill. the Duke of Buccleuch's residence. which glories in a considerable collection of works of art. Day trippers could also watch glass- blowing in the nearby glassworks in Selkirk (directions from behind the bar). Walter Scott‘s Courthouse in the town is a mini-museum dedicated to the writer. and his residence. Abbotsford. is nearby.
I Hatho Park Brewer’s Fayre 101 Dalmahoy Road (off A71). ()131 333 1242. Mon—Sun llam—l lpm. Last orders for food 9.30pm; drink 10.45pm.
Situated opposite the Dalmahoy Country Club (this year‘s hosts for the Scottish PGA). is this very child-friendly spacious pub. It features a large indoor playzone for under-9s. and in summer adds a bouncy castle to its already impressive array of outdoor children's toys. Other child-friendly features include the provision of a goody bag ofcrayons and other bits and pieces aimed at keeping kids occupied while waiting for their meals; low level children’s toilets and a separate baby changing room are also on Site.
I The Stable Bar Mortonhall Park. Frogston Road. Edinburgh (approx five miles south front centre of Edinburgh). 0131 664 0773. Mon—Sat Ham—midnight; Sun 12.30—1 lpm. Last orders for food 8.30pm; drink 10.45pm.
This welcoming bar is the result of a careful conversion of the 16th century stables of Morton Hall Manor. The interior features stone walls. beams. lamp light and an open hearth. Beyond the cobbled courtyard lies parkland and open countryside. so there's plenty of opportunity to work up an appetite for the menu of homely pub grub such as battered fresh haddock (£4) and bread and butter pudding (£1.50). The fixed price three course menu costs £6.50. 1f the full extent of your walking capacity extends to only a few hundred yards, the Morton Garden
5‘ fl
Centre next door provides inspiration for any budding Alan Titchmarshes out there. I The Steading 1 l8 Biggar Road. Edinburgh (off A702. eight miles south of Edinburgh). 0131 445 “28. Mon—Sat lOam—midnight; Sun 10am—l lpm. Last orders for food 9.30pm; drink 10.45pm. Originally a stables in 1850. this pub has kept many of the original features such as the timbered ceiling. but benefits from the addition of a new conservatory overlooking the Pentland Hills. There are further magnificent views in the beer garden in summer; in inclement weather. the bar is comfy and welcoming to all sorts. including walkers and skiiers from the dry slopes nearby. The bar snack menu includes samples such as steak or veggieburger rolls (£2.95 and £1.60). and the restaurant offers tnore substantial food. There are highchairs for children. and a lager costs £1.75.
I Tweed Valley Hotel and Restaurant Walkerburn. near Peebles (on A72. ten miles from Gallashiels). 01896 870636. Mon—Sun noon-11pm. Bar meals noon—2pm/6—8.30pm. Last orders for food 2pm/8.30pm; drink 10.45pm.
Set halfway up a valley overlooking the River Tweed. this child-friendly hotel offers remarkable views. Sit out and enjoy them in good weather. or in the winter warm yourself by the open fire. The interior is true to its Edwardian origins. and is brimming full with fans. pottery and sundry old artefacts. Much of the produce used in the menu comes fresh from the hotel's own walled kitchen garden. But if you‘re not the type to sit around relaxing when you could be shooting. fishing or walking. then head for the reception. where you'll get all the information you need on the nearby Southern Upland Way and fishing licences for the River Tweed.
I The Waterside Bistro and Restaurant 1/5 Nungate. Haddington (just off Al. twelve miles east of Edinburgh). 01620 825674. Mon—Sat ll.30am-2.30pm. 5—11pm; Sun 12.30—1 lpm. Restaurant hours Mon—Sat noon—2pm. 6.30—10pm; Sat l2.30—2.30pm. 6.30—10pm. Last orders for food 2pm/10pm; drink 11pm. As its name suggests. the Waterside overlooks the River Tyne in Haddington. The bistro has a large menu: starters include mussels and pate. and main courses feature pasta. chicken and fish (fresh daily). Puddings are home-made. Prices average £6. The bar serves a selection of real ales. and a pint of lager costs around £1.65. Upstairs. the restaurant has an a la carte menu (two courses £9.95. three courses £12.95) and also serves Sunday lunch. The place has an old-fashioned feel. with mahogany panelling and candles upstairs. There are tables outside looking onto the water; in good weather you can sit out and watch the swans go by. Children are welcome. St Mary's Abbey is just across the river; otherwise explore the town itself which is steeped in history.
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The List 14:27 Jun 1996 23