CHRISTIES BAR, PERTH, SCOTLAND - my local!

With a great Host; Tracey MacDonald, you are all welcome into this traditional Scottish pub in Perth, the centre of Scotland. Open every day from 11am till 11pm (or sometimes later) the pub is a “local” of Paul’s and has a great range of beers and spirits, even wine for those of you wishing the grape!

Christies pub, Perth, Scotland. This was taken in late 2007 by Paul and the people in the photo are all from Sweden, they were here with us on a whisky tour, so where better when in Perth to take them than Christies. They all had a ball here (more than once) and as you can see, jokes, drinks, friends, kilts and toasts were all part of the evening, as was Tracey who made 'em feel welcome as usual. Thanks Tracey.

Tracy and her staff are some of the best in Scotland and will have the “craik” with you from the moment you enter. When Scotland play football (soccer to our cousins in the States) against other nations, the pub is totally behind our team, in fact, many of the regulars are members of the Perthshire Tartan Army (including Paul)!  and for the Italian match at the end of 2007, the bar was decorated in our “colours”. The pub also has daytrips to see Scottish games, where, aye you guessed it, kilts and flags and Scottish shirts are everywhere! These photos below are some from those matches, all involved are from Christies. Wee ones also! ASK A LOCAL; "DAVE" I said, "what's your favourite whisky?" looking puzzled (coz he doesnee drink whisky really) "Port!" he says.  Oh well, it was a long night. That port is dangerous stuff, see when you ask for a "Green Portugeese" beware, it is a drink made up by Dave and myself; double Irish whiskey and a port (with ice).

The photo below; Tartan Army start at an early age eh Tracey! Right; at the Scotland v Italy game 2007. Above right; don't ask!

ANOTHER PERTH BAR; THE FOUNDRY

Aye, I also call this my local, as it's in Perth and just three minutes walk from my hoose! Why here? I have been drinking here since it opened a while back, a great bar, as its name suggests, its an old foundry, it is very well worked out inside, great layout in fact, very long bar, longest in Perth? not sure. Many beers, wines and spirits to choose from including many whiskies. Some of the staff there are great - the ones who have been there a while that is, as with every bar, staff come and go but some stay longer, worth a mention; Grant (you owe me a drink big man!), Liz (my young pal from the north), Johnny (knows his whisky and a good lad). Food is good as are the TV screens for big sporting occasions. This is a brewery owned pub and to a degree, cannot do "its own thing" too much, saying that, I like it and drink there all the time, specially Friday night with the grumps! Everyone is welcome here, some when they enter, some when they leave! Must be true, says so in the bar! Oh aye, Grant is a Liverpool fan! OK in my book then. Liz like s the Hoops! Only a joke Liz! she is a great lassie but no that interested in football really, now sheep and cattle, there's another thing! (farmers girl).

ASK A LOCAL; "LIZ" I said, "what's your favourite whisky?" after thinking awhile she says "I like that Coleraine, but I also like lots of others!" How is it we cannot get a simple answer? I will let her off, she's my pal. The pictures above came out quite dark (my fault I suppose) but you will get the idea of their whisky collection, take no notice of the "Welker" man (Grant), he is just sampling from the bottle! The staff here are from all over the place! West coast, northern areas, south and of course, an incomer or two from foreign parts. Ask Grant the same question; he doesn't really drink whisky! he's a bar manager, they don't drink (I am told). The pub has a great selection of beers, wines and spirits too. Oh aye, ask Liz for a green whisky and see what you get!  BELOW; the group from Sweden (the Carmen Curlers) enjoying food and drink at the Foundry 2007 - they are coming back in 2008! Below that; Liz with guests from the Maclean gathering tour in 2007, a whole crew of them came to Perth and we met up for food and drinks with Liz at the Foundry!

Highland Park Distillery A great distillery to visit in Orkney. Our whisky tours and other sightseeing tours go here, so much history on Orkney you should plan for two days there, with a distillery visit of course to the most northerly one in Britain.  This and other distilleries on our tours throughout the year.

My old Pal Billy's Bar on Mull.

Billy and Janice MacGregor are two of the nicest people you could meet, and I urge you to try and meet them on Mull. Janice does all the hard work while Billy serves bar (when he's no playing golf!), tells stories and has you in stitches! Where to find them? Craignure on Mull, right as you step off the ferry; MACGREGORS ROADHOUSE  Below; Paul, Michelle, Liz and Matt behind the bar at the Maclean gathering 2007 on Mull. Once again, tell him we sent you, either you will be thrown out or bought a drink! who knows till you get there. Billy, where is the website?

SOME MORE GREAT PUBS NOT IN SCOTLAND ...

MCLEAN'S BAR, MONTREAL, CANADA

A great bar to get yourself into when in that city, friends of ours, I (Paul) had a fantastic few days there October/November 2007. Great food, live music, staff and atmosphere all brilliant. Try this for size; www.mcleanspub.com Tell them mcleanscotland sent you and there will be a pint in it for me!

Another Canadian bar; The Feathers

They have over 450 whiskies here and we did try a few, the owner is originally from Edinburgh, so as a true Scot, he knows his malts. Great bar, Kenny and myself stayed awhile here in Toronto before I flew home, had some grub, drinks and a good chat with mine host. Recommended when in town.

The two pictures above, left; caught my eye as we do not have this at home, and right; a great play on words for a Scot in Canada drinking a Newkie brown (English beer)