Tiree Scarinish Hotel, Scarinish

This hotel bar serves as the village local of the eponymous main settlement on the Isle of Tiree. It is, like the rest of the Hotel, somewhat rundown looking, but popular and lively, at least some of the time. I spent three consecutive evenings here in summer 2011. On the Tuesday night, I found myself in the middle of an impromptu jam session, with young islanders playing bagpipes, accordions and fiddles. It was very busy and very loud. Wednesday was a total contrast, with only two other customers present. When they departed around 9.45 p.m. I was the only one left and the barmaid decided to call last orders at 10.00. On Thursday, it was crowded again, as there was live football on TV. Fairly expensive, at £3.15 for a pint of lager, but that’s the norm for the Hebrides, due to transportation costs and lack of competition. Under 18s are permitted in the bar until 9.00 p.m. Only crisps and nuts are available for eating, but the “Old Harbour Restaurant” is also part of the Hotel and has a good reputation for local Tiree beef, lamb and shellfish. It is beautifully located beside a sandy beach and the island’s original harbour, although the building itself seems to have been cobbled together in a rather haphazard manner.