The Barn @ Cologin
Lerags Glen
Oban
What is it: Situated a couple of miles outside Oban, the Barn pub and restaurant are run by Mary and Donnie Macleod. This mother and son team hails from Harris in the Outer Hebrides and Mary has been head chef at the Barn for several years. The original slate cattle stalls are intact and the décor is everything you would expect of a Highland pub.
Interesting fact: The pub served as a wrap party location for Mick Jagger's film production company, after scenes from his film Enigma, starring Kate Winslet and Dougray Scott, had been shot just a bit further down the glen. Apparently Mick had a great time, joining in with a Strip The Willow dance.
Verdict: I love finding wee places like this, it makes me want to give up the big city and get my own isolated pub, where everything seems so much simpler, the decor is rustic and homely but it's the owners and staff who make the bar. Unpretentious with a good food and drink offering: you should definitely make the effort to pop into the Barn.
Drink: The Barn has won several awards over the years including Camra, Scotland's Best Kept Secrets, Scotland The Best, the Herald Newspaper Good Pub Grub guide and the 'Good Beer Guide. The Barn Bar is the 2014 Scottish Pub of the Year for the northwest region. A strong selection of whisky and real ale is on offer. I very much enjoyed a pint of Belhaven Best.
Food: The Macleods take great pride in supporting local suppliers and using local produce, serving homemade, wholesome lunches and evening meals with local sea fish and shellfish specials (Oban is, after all, the seafood capital of Scotland). I enjoyed the beef and ale pie, made with Argyll beef and Fyne Ale's Highlander gravy, served with potatoes and vegetables for £10.95.
Price: All-round good prices.
Alfresco: Great beer garden for the summer months.
Children: Kids are welcome until 8pm and there is a great wooden play park to keep them entertained.
Avoid if: The great outdoors just isn't your thing
Perfect for: Popping in after a big walk and seeing what the night brings. You may even bump into Mick Jagger.
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