INVERNESS

There are TWO trails in Inverness. One going along the river side and the other is in the town centre.

Both start at the Inverness Town House found on the corner where the High St becomes pedestrianised as the main road does a right turn becoming Castle St.

1. Along the riverside - green icons

Takes you up to the Castle and down to the river, along the river bank in front of the castle then across the Bridge. This is the most attractive and relaxing of the trails with a wide variety of pubs.

2. City Centre (blue icons)

These 14 pubs reflect what you would expect to find in a city centre with a mixture of music venues, one roomed pubs, cocktail bars and food places - some try to fit more than one description.

Starting at the Inverness Town House found on the corner where the High St becomes pedestrianised at this point there is The Caledonian. Now walk down towards the river and turn right into the narrow Church St. On the next corner is Lauders.

Walk on and turn right walking up to Maccallum’s and then The Gunsmiths. Return to Church St and continue along it to The Auctioneers, then R & Bs (previously The Room) then diagonally opposite it Hootenany. Further along is The Kings Highway.

At the end of Church St (Friar’s Lane) turn right and right again to Blackfriars. It is now a walk down Academy St.

You can take on the challenge of crossing over to visit pubs on the other side or continue past the station to Bar One. Turn down the lane here and there is The Tooth and Claw (previously The Eagle) and then The Keg. Turn left at the end of the lane and walk through to return to the High St starting point.

The Caledonian is a Smiths & Jones pub. It has a better feel than most chain outlets. Lots of booths opposite the long bar. Lots of lager but possibility of real ale. Family dining at rear.

Have one here

real ale (3)  : all pump clips reversed but Deuchers was on!

heavy        : John Smith

lager         : Stella; Tennent's;   San Miguel; Peroni;

                    Fosters; Carling

cider         : Aspall         Guinness

Lauders is bigger than it looks. It has a long thin bar area with a back room.

real ale    : one pump - off

heavy        : John Smiths

lager         : Carling; Tennent's

cider          : Strongbow

           Guinness

MacCallums is a dark one roomed bar with performance area at front and bar at back. Music at weekends. Advertises The Galliens.

Friendly staff.

Have one here

heavy       : John Smiths

lager         :Stella , Tennent's, Fosters

cider         : Strongbow

                                               Guinness

The Gunsmiths Bar is a Karaoke and music bar. Gunsmith's’ karaoke has now located to R & Bs (formerly The Room.

Long and thin with a few steps leading down at the end and some steps leading up to seating and balcony area overlooking bar. Music memorabilia on walls. DJ area. Evening venue.

Have half here

heavy        :?

lager         : 1664; Tennent's; Fosters;

cider         : Strongbow                                                  Guinness

The Auctioneers believes it offers something for everyone. It is large enough to try. The front area is for dining. Then move through to long bar and large area with tables and a performance/dancing area. Booths on far side each with on TV set.  At back is a raised area up a few steps with more seating. Large TV. Friendly staff. Windows covered in posters offering meal deals.

Have one here

heavy        : Belhaven Best;

lager         : Peroni; Tennent's; Carling; Fosters;  Stella

cider:         :Strongbow       Guinness

R and B formerly The Room is now a restaurant and karaoke bar. Claims to be the only Karaoke bar in the highlands.

Have pint here

Real ale   : Lia fail.

heavy       : John Smith; McEwan's Export

lager         :St Mungos; Fosters; Tennent's; Stella;    Peroni

cider         : Strongbow              

                                  Guinness

Hootananny has three music rooms and two bars. In the main room the bar is in the right-hand corner. Lots of seating and slightly raised area at windows. Friendly staff

Have one here

Good Beer Guide 2021

real ale     : Black isle beers - Red Kite; Porter     and Heather Honey beer

heavy        : McEwan's 80/-;

lager         : Fosters; Black Isle Blonde

cider         : Strongbow                                      Guinness

The King's Highway is a large Wetherspoons. Basically, one big room with pillars and a long bar. Part of an Hotel.

Good Beer Guide (CAMRA) … 2021, 2024, 2025

Have one here

real ale    : Abott; Highland PA (Cairngorm);      Sunseeker and Deuchers (both        Caledonian); Bob (Wickwar)

heavy       : Belhaven Best; John Smith

lager         :Fosters; Tennent's; Carlsberg;    Heineken; 1664; Amstel

cider         : Thatchers Gold             Guinness

Blackfriars is now is a large wooden floored pub. The left-hand side is set out for performers while the right-hand side houses the bar serving area. Regular music nights. Also, ceilidh and quizzes.

Closed for two years and has now re-opened after a major refit.

Good Beer Guide (CAMRA) - not been in recently

visited in the book The Auldest Boozers in Toon

Have one here

real ale     :Caille Golden XPA; Light Ness; Sunseeker (Caledonian) Elixer (Everards)beers - Red Kite; Porter

heavy        : Caledonian 80/-;

lager         : Heineken; Fosters; 1664

cider         : Thistly Cider ; Strongbow                                                 Guinness

The Eagle is now called The Tooth and Claw is a small bar with 5 booths at front and bar at back right with some stools. Now a music venue.

Have half here

Heavy       :Belhaven Best

lager         :Tennent's; Carlsberg; Stella, carling

cider         : Strongbow       Guinness

Drink and Music

The Keg is a one roomed bar with brick wall decor. Mixture of tables sizes. Busy with locals

Have a half here

heavy        : Belhaven Best, John Smith

lager         : Tennent's; 1664; Carlsberg

cider         : Strongbow       Guinness