The Puffer Bar, Easdale Island, Oban

Official site of The Puffer Bar and Restaurant - www.pufferbar.com

Official site of The Puffer Bar and Restaurant - www.pufferbar.com

This is the only pub and/or restaurant on the tiny, car-free island of Easdale, which has a permanent population of less than 100. Numbers increase during the summer tourist season and especially during the World Stone Skimming Championships which are held in one of the flooded slate quarries every September. It is likely to be quiet during the winter months, although it is now open all year round. The Puffer is very attractively housed in two former slate workers' cottages, linked by a more modern corridor containing the toilets. You enter the bar via the restaurant or vice versa, depending on which door you go in. There is also an outside patio with wonderful views around Easdale and across to neighbouring Seil Island. The bar is cosy and compact with padded seating around the walls and stools at the counter, although it manages to fit two dart boards into the limited space available. Music was playing at a low level but there was no TV. A pint of Tennent's lager cost me £3.30 and Belhaven Best, Belhaven Black stout and McEwan's 80 Shilling are also on tap, as are Stowell's wines. In addition, there is a good selection of bottled beers from local micro-breweries. With the island's population being so low, the Puffer is heavily reliant on tourist trade and visitors are made to feel very welcome. It was the winner of the 2010 Best Community Pub award from the Scottish Licensed Trade News and is not to be missed if you ever find yourself in this rather out of the way location.