FULL PINTS By Ray Turpie
I
old part called Poultney, contains the harbour which was designed by well known civil engineer, Thomas Telford. Overlooking the harbour is what I believe to be the most northerly Wetherspoon’s, the Alexander Bain, named after a local clock and instrument maker. There is a wonderful floral clock tribute to him in the garden of the BBC studio on the main street. I managed a visit before I left and enjoyed a pint of Deuchars, although I was a bit disappointed that they did not have any local beers on tap. There were beers on tap aplenty, however, at our 13th Beer Festival in Troon, which proved very successful again this year. Approximately 2,500 customers enjoyed almost 12,000 pints. The first cask to empty was Cromarty Happy Chappy on Thursday night, which bodes well for the future of the recently opened brewery. My favourite was Trawlerboys BB from Green Jack, but the Beer of The Festival (BOTF) was voted as Traquair Bear Ale from Innerleithen. If
n the last issue, I mentioned my bucket list and a trip to Orkney in the autumn. I am glad to report that I had the pleasure of enjoying a pint of Scapa Special from Highland Brewing Company in the Albert Hotel’s Bothy Bar, Kirkwall. Our day trip from John O’Groats included an hour in the island’s capital before heading back to the ferry. I found the pub with just fifteen minutes to spare but what a memorable visit. Historically, Orkney is fascinating with Scara Brae settlement still recognisable as a village and the Ring of Brodgar predating Stonehenge by almost one thousand years. In more modern times, the importance of Scapa Flow to the Second World War effort cannot be underestimated and the Italian Chapel for the prisoners who built the Churchill barriers for the British fleet protection is a remarkable work of art and enterprise. On our visit to the north, we took in Thurso and Wick, both interesting places with Viking influences. We stayed in McKay’s Hotel in the latter; a real ale outlet which boasts the gable end is the shortest street in the world, Ebenezer Place, at only 6ft 9in long. Wick itself is a very interesting place. The The Alexander Bain, Wick 12