News

If you have any news relating to real ale, pubs, clubs etc. please share it with us. contact@ayr.camra.org.uk

Scottish CAMRA Pub of the Year - Area Results (1 June 2025)

AreaBranchPubScorePosition
1Aberdeen, Grampian & Northern IslesCraft Bar, Pitmedden366.04
1Edinburgh & SE ScotlandVolunteer Arms (Staggs), Musselburgh372.51
1Highlands & Western IslesBandstand, Nairn369.02
1Kingdom of FifeBetty Nicols368.03
1TaysideEricht Alehouse, Blaitgowrie348.05
2Ayrshire & WigtownshireVillage Inn, Fairlie365.03
2Dumfries & StewartryFarmer’s Arms, Thornhill375.52
2Forth ValleyFour Marys, Linlithgow411.01
2Glasgow & West of ScotlandMacs Bar, Rothesay351.55
2RenfrewshireBull Inn, Paisley353.04
The maximum score possible was 480.
 
Volunteer Arms (Staggs), Bandstand, Farmer’s Arms and Four Marys now progress to the Final 4 round of the competition.  Deadline for completion of judging is Sunday, 27 July.

Scottish Pubs Code Implemented (March 2025)

Commenting on the introduction of the new statutory Scottish Pubs Code today (31 March), Director of CAMRA Scotland Stuart McMahon said:

“Pubgoers are welcoming the news that the Scottish Pubs Code is finally coming into force today, after long delays and tedious failed legal challenges by pub companies and global brewers.

“Under the Code, tied pub tenants will be able to sell guest beer free-of-tie, increasing choice at the bar for customers of tasty and distinctive products from small, local and independent breweries across the country – particularly for cask beer.

“The protections offered by the new Pubs Code for tied tenants running pubs make sure big pub companies treat them fairly and that they can earn a decent living. It should also help to make their businesses more sustainable, as well as supporting more pubs to thrive at the heart of their communities.

“We would like to thank Neil Bibby MSP who introduced the legislation to create a Scottish Pubs Code, and to the Scottish Government for giving the idea their backing.”

Branch Pub of the Year 2025

A panel of independent judges visited the four Area Pubs of the Year during January and February. Each pub was assessed using the same criteria. The scores were counted, and the overall winner and Ayrshire & Wigtownshire Pub of the Year is The Village Inn, Fairlie. Congratulations to the pub, and well done to the other three contenders. The award presentation will take place in the near future.

Branch Beer of the Year 2025

At the AGM on Saturday, 22 March, the members present voted Dark Storm Stout, brewed by Five Kingdoms, as the Branch Beer of the Year. The presentation of the award will be arranged in due course.

Branch Brewery of the Year 2025

At the AGM on Saturday, 22 March, the members present voted Cairngorm Brewery as the Branch Brewery of the Year. The presentation of the award takes place at the brewery on Friday, 16 May at 14:30.

Recognition at Holyrood

The following motion was lodged by Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, on 16 May,
 
“That the Parliament congratulates Fairlie’s Village Inn on being named the Ayrshire and Wigtownshire Pub of the Year by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA); notes that the award recognises the pub’s outstanding selection of real ales, welcoming atmosphere, and high-quality home-cooked meals; understands that the Village Inn was selected following a rigorous judging process involving nominations from local CAMRA members and assessments by anonymous judges across North, South, and East Ayrshire, as well as Wigtownshire; recognises CAMRA’s ongoing efforts to promote real ale and community pubs through regular social events and campaigns; notes that the Village Inn will now represent the region in the Scottish finals, competing against nine other top pubs from across the country for the title of Scottish CAMRA Pub of the Year, with the winner to be announced at the end of July; acknowledges the contribution of owner Brian Flanagan and his team in achieving this recognition, and wishes them the very best as they go forward to the national stage.”

Outlets

Brass & Granite – Kilmarnock
Ayrshire-based businessman James Griffiths has bought the pub. The premises are currently undergoing refurbishment. It is not known if cask ale will be available when it reopens.

Wellingtons Bar – Ayr (August 2025)
The pub has been given a significant makeover and now boasts a “speakeasy vibe”. Two cask ales are generally on offer.

McKays – Troon (August 2025)
The pub reopened on Thursday, 1 May. Two cask ales were initially on offer but have been discontinued.

Wigtown Ploughman – Wigtown (August 2025)
The Wigtown Ploughman is planning to host a beer festival in October.

Ayrshire & Galloway Hotel – Ayr (February 2025)
Although three hand pulls remain in situ, ale is no longer being served. 

Portland – Troon (2024)
The Portland, formerly Bruce’s Well, has installed two hand pulls and serves ale from Fyne.

Harbour Bar – Troon (2024)
A second hand pull has been installed. Timothy Taylor’s Landlord plus one guest are available.

Brewery News

Arran
The brewery was without power for several days following storm Éowyn but survived with only a few scrapes, bumps and lost tiles! Production is focused on getting most beers back in stock, and that now includes new batches of Fireside, Red Squirrel and Clyde Puffer – the latter’s recipe has been tweaked to substitute roasted barley for chocolate malt, giving this batch a well-rounded chocolatey-ness whilst maintaining the sweetness provided by using oats.

Arran Botanical Drinks
Under the supervision of Steven Sparshott from Seagate Brewery, they trained a new brewer and developed their first beer, Chiad 1. At 5.5%, it’s influenced by Czech lagers, with a bitter taste and a hoppy finish. It is now available in beautiful cans engraved by a local artist and on tap in the beach bar whilst the limited small batch lasts.

Ayrshire Riviera Cider
There is nothing to report.

Blackshaw Brewery
The events venue is gearing up to host their first wedding, and the brewery has produced some trial batches of four beers that will be available to guests.

Five Kingdoms
The brewery continues to go from strength to strength, gaining national recognition. Dark Storm Stout (6.9%) is the Champion Bottled Beer of Britain. In addition, McGregor’s Mild won the bronze award in the Milds category.

Five Kingdoms continues to attend local markets, including Kirkcudbright, Portpatrick and Dumfries and to supply Ayrshire customers with delivery runs.

Seagate
There is nothing to report.

Wigtown
There is nothing to report.