Bandstand Bar at the Braeval Hotel in Nairn is the Highland & Western Isles Pub-of-the-Year.

There are eight awards -

Inverness & District North - Benleva Hotel, Drumnadrochit

The sweet chestnut tree outside this 400 year old former manse is a former hanging tree. Inside four handpumps dispense an ever-changing range of mainly Highland & Island beers, including Isle of Skye and an occasional beer from the wood.  Real cider is served from a fifth handpump.  Host to the annual Loch Ness Beer Festival, held in September.

Inverness & District South - Bandstand Bar, Braeval Hotel, Nairn

The Bandstand Bar overlooks Nairn’s famous Victorian Bandstand after which it is named.  A relative new-comer to the local real ale scene, it is has quickly become popular with locals who enjoy the friendly atmosphere and bar food.  Walk up a thirst along the promenade, or admire the traditional Fishertown which sits behind a harbour built by Thomas Telford.

Aviemore & the Cairngorms - Glen Hotel, Newtonmore

In the heart of the BBC’s ‘Monarch of the Glen’ country, and close to the Monadhliath and Cairngorm Mountains, this elegant Edwardian hotel has a busy local trade and is popular with outdoor enthusiasts.  A mixture of English and Scottish beers are served, often from local breweries, plus a real cider.  There is an extensive bar menu.

Wester Ross - Applecross Inn

Family-run inn in a spectacular location on the shoreline of the Applecross Peninsula, with  views to the Isles of Skye and Raasay. It is reached by a single track road over the highest vehicular ascent in Britain, or by a longer scenic route. Two handpumps dispense beer from the Isle of Skye Brewery, bar meals are served all day, and local shellfish is a speciality.

South Skye & Lochalsh - Plockton Hotel

Set amongst a row of traditional waterfront buildings in the heart of the beautiful village of Plockton, with spectacular views over Loch Carron. Locally caught fish and shellfish take pride of place on the award-winning menu. An ideal base for exploring the Isle of Skye and the mountains of Torridon, the village is a regular haunt for outdoor enthusiasts.

North Skye & Hebrides - Stein Inn, Waternish, Isle of Skye

A traditional family-run inn, the oldest on the Isle of Skye, located in a delightful shore-side setting on the beautiful Loch Bay. Three real ales regularly on tap in this Highland bar, an open fire in Winter, and the seafood on the menu will have been freshly landed at the nearby jetty.  Shower facilities are available for seafarers who tie up in the bay.

Fort William & Lochaber - Grog & Gruel,  Fort William

Up to six real ales are on tap in summer at this bare-floored traditional ale house, fewer in winter. Owned by the same family as the Clachaig Inn in Glencoe, it has regular live music and beer festivals. The beers are predominantly Scottish and it is busy with locals, outdoor enthusiasts and tourists. 

Caithness & Sutherland - Scourie Hotel

Converted 17^th century coaching inn, overlooking the white sands of Scourie Bay, popular with anglers (25,000 acres of loch, river and hill loch fishing held for guests), hill-walkers (rooms with views of Ben Stack, Foinaven and Arkle), and bird watchers (Handa Island is nearby). Three real ales, mostly from Scottish breweries, and one real cider.

>> All Selected by Highlands & Western Isles Branch of CAMRA Members <<

 Pubs serving real ale have been listed by Pub-of-the-Year area, please check our Real Ale Pubs & Hotels list

Please follow link or contact the Branch Secretary for further information.       Past Winners

All Branch members are allowed to vote in all eight categories. All votes to be returned to the Secretary by end of February. All entries must serve Real Ale. In the event of a tie the committee will decide the result by consensus. Winning pubs, in each area, will be visited by the committee who will then decide which of the eight winners will represent the Branch in the Scottish Pub of the Year. All nominated pubs must be within the Branch boundary.