Paul knows pubs. So, when my pal says to put The Moulin Inn on my brew-inspired bucket list, I’m already angling to find a way to get back to Pitlochry, Scotland.
Travel industry pro Holinaty considers it a travesty that, despite being in the Perthshire village together on trade trip a few years back, we never made it to one of his all-time favourite drinking establishments.
“I love the place,” he says. “I took some friends there, and they didn’t want to leave.”
Historical ambiance, awesome food and an amazing hearth all lend to the atmosphere, he says, adding that guests can also drink in the sunshine on a garden patio. Moreover, they can partake of ales brewed next door at the inn’s own Brewhouse.
Of course, there is also a suitable roster of Scotch whiskies on the bar.
Located just north of Pitlochry (in Moulin village), which itself is about 100 km due north of Edinburgh, the public bar at the inn boasts a plethora of pub-of-the-year awards, including having been ranked the fifth best pub in the world by pubcrawler.com in 1998.
Tradition is paramount at the 325-year-old establishment, with the pub’s website declaring: “Moulin has always resisted the lure of jukeboxes and pool tables. Interestingly they were installed in the ‘80s and early 1990s, but this led to the demise of the pub, and only their removal and a general refurbishment saw the customers return again.”
That now distant refurbishment also included uncovering old fireplaces and stone walls, repurposing ancient wood and beams, adding cozy niches, and removing smoking (cigarettes).
Pretty Pitlochry is a requisite stop on the tourist trail from the south to the Scottish Highlands and about half-way from Glasgow and Edinburgh to Inverness. It’s a great place to spend a night (or two) as a base for nearby hiking trails, distilleries, Victorian-era heritage, and annual festivals and Highland Games. Rooms options (including two cottages) are available at the inn.
Or if only passing through by car, coach or train, it’s just the right spot to stop for a pint!
(“Pub Crawl” is an ongoing series in which we reveal some of our favourite public houses, both at home and abroad – and, in the spirit of the establishment, invite you to share with us yours. Send suggestions to baginski@travelindustrytoday.com. Cheers!)
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