ONE of Scotland's oldest pubs could soon be closing its doors for the last time after racking up debts of more than £100,000.
The 300-year-old Drovers Inn, north of Loch Lomond, is being pursued by tax authorities who have launched legal action at Glasgow Sheriff Court.
Papers have been lodged calling for the Drovers to be wound up and placed in liquidation.
The court will allow eight days for moves to be made to halt the action. A sheriff has the power to grant an order to close the inn's doors and sell off its assets to appease creditors.
The deadline is expected to fall this Friday, following disruption to the process caused by the Jubilee holiday.
However, last night owner Ernest Strang, 57, denied there were financial difficulties and said that he would be taking the matter up with his financial representatives.
He said: "I wasn't aware of this. All of our correspondence with [Revenue & Customs] goes to our accountants and I'll need to speak to them to find out more about it."
Accounts for the pub filed at Companies House last year, for 2010, showed the firm had total assets of £253,235 and owed creditors £185,459.
The inn, said to be one of the most haunted in Scotland, is a mainstay for walkers, particularly those doing the West Highland Way, which runs nearby.
It has built up a reputation as a traditional Scots pub serving tourists who flock to the loch, and is decorated by an array of stuffed animals and old paintings.
One former customer said that its demise would be keenly felt by the walking community as there "really is nowhere like it". She said: "It's got such character, I would be sad to see it go. It's close to the Munro, Ben Venue, so you get a lot of walkers coming in for a drink on their way back.
"It's always busy and the food is exceptional. They opened a new part a few years ago which had more accommodation."
The pub has also had celebrity attention. Last month Scots film star Gerard Butler surprised drinkers when he turned up and joined in a sing-song.
The Bounty Hunter actor checked in to the inn with a brunette by his side.
At the time, Mr Strang said: "The place was rocking but Gerry just sat back and enjoyed the company. He loved it and even joined in with Flower of Scotland.
"He has stayed here several times so it was just like welcoming an old friend. He had a lady friend with him but we do not know who she was and we would never have asked."
It was also the scene of a tragedy in March when a woman, thought to be a member of staff at the Drovers, died in a fire that broke out in a caravan in its grounds.
Workers raised the alarm, and six crews of firefighters raced to the scene. The woman's body was later recovered.
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