Springer's Bar (Baltasound Hotel), Baltasound, Shetland

The green sign on the outer wall describes this as “The Most Northerly Pub In Britain,” although the Sergeants’ Mess Bar in Saxa Vord Holiday Village, a couple of miles to the north of here, might lay claim to that distinction instead. Springer’s is part of the Baltasound Hotel, which is indisputably the northernmost hotel in Britain, and meals are available in the adjoining hotel bar. Although it’s the only pub in the village, it was quiet on the evening of my visit, with only two locals drinking there in addition to myself. On draught are Tennent’s lager (at £3 a pint), McEwan’s Export, Caledonia Best, Guinness and Magner’s and Woodpecker cider. A redundant real ale tap suggests it was once available, but the locally brewed Valhalla Ale is now sold only in bottles. The L-shaped bar has a cosy and homely feel, with wooden ceiling beams, subdued lighting, a pool table, a TV and a payphone, which comes in handy as mobile phone reception is almost non-existent this far north.