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Daily Record
01-07-2025
- Daily Record
The underrated Scottish coastal village home to country's 'best pub'
It is also just a short walk from a fabulous beach. As we enter July, there will be many Scots looking for places to head for a day out. If there is one thing that Scotland has in spades, it is variety—from quiet fishing villages to bustling metropolises. For those who are struggling to choose where to head for an afternoon or staycation, Belhaven in East Lothian is an underrated destination that is well worth a visit. The small village, which is next to the larger settlement of Dunbar, is known for its stunning scenery and is also home to an award-winning inn. As previously reported by the Daily Record, the Scottish Hospitality Awards 2025 were held last week. The Brig & Barrel in Belhaven was named 'Pub/Inn Of The Year' at the prestigious awards. The dog and family-friendly pub serves a varied selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, such as beer, wine, and spirits. It offers both indoor and outdoor seating, with its beer garden including booths that have heaters. Visitors to The Brig & Barrel can also enjoy a wide variety of food. Starters include tomato bruschetta and salmon salad, while among the mains on offer are beef or veg chilli and scampi and chips. The pub has received positive feedback from customers, with an average rating of 4.7 out of five on Google. Recent visitors have described it as "lovely" and "fantastic". Just a short walk from The Brig & Barrel is Belhaven Bay. One of the top beauty spots in the region, the beach is located in the picturesque John Muir Country Park. Belhaven Bay is a popular destination amongst walkers, picnickers, and sunbathers. It benefits from magnificent vistas across the Forth Estuary. In addition to The Brig & Barrel, there are a number of other popular food spots dotted around Belhaven and the nearby settlements. These include the Dukes of West Barns Café in West Barns and Parkers Dunbar—both of which offer a range of tasty food and coffees. Meanwhile, one of the top attractions in the village is Belhaven Brewery. Scotland's oldest working brewery, dating back to 1719, it offers tours where visitors can learn more about how its ales and stouts are made—and even taste a few. Belhaven Brewery has received rave reviews from visitors. On Google, the brewery has an overall score of 4.9 out of five based on 267 reviews. One traveller shared: "What a great tour of the brewery and its buildings, well worth the visit. Amazing to see and hear the history of how the brewery started. "The smells of how beer is made, wow. Our tour guide Chris was amazing, our group was full of laughs. The tasting was brilliant especially the new lager was yummy. Will definitely be back for another tour." Another popular attraction in the area is East Links Family Park, which is a family-friendly park that features train rides, go-karts, and more. It is also home to a farm where visitors can meet animals including Highland cows, goats, pigs, donkeys, and llamas. In terms of accommodation, a popular choice in Belhaven is Belhaven Bay Caravan Park. The park offers touring and camping pitches, holiday homes, wigwams, and a cottage, and includes amenities such as play areas, internet and Wi-Fi, and a small shop.
Daily Record
25-06-2025
- Daily Record
The Scottish coastal pub with beer garden that was crowned 'best in Scotland'
The pub is only a short walk away from the beach. Scotland features countless pubs across its many cities, towns, and villages. From cosy inns to trendy bars, there are watering holes to suit every taste. Everyone will have their own preferences when it comes to choosing a place for a drink. However, one venue was recently named the best in the country. As reported by the Daily Record, the Scottish Hospitality Awards 2025 were held last week in Glasgow. Among the winners was The Brig & Barrel in Belhaven, which was named 'Pub/Inn Of The Year'. The freehouse pub is family and dog-friendly, and features a cosy interior with a fireplace. It serves up a wide selection of beer and wine, as well as a variety of other alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. The Brig & Barrel also offers food, including daily fish and vegan specials. Among the dishes customers can enjoy are beer battered fish and chips, smoked haddock, and a range of burgers. The pub benefits from a beer garden to enjoy drinks outside over the summer. It features covered booths with heaters so that customers can have a pint even amidst Scotland's famously unpredictable weather. The Brig & Barrel is only a short walk from Belhaven Bay, which is a scenic beach situated within the John Muir Country Park. The bay is ideal for walking, picnics, and sunbathing, and offers spectacular views out over the Forth Estuary. Posting on Facebook in response to the Scottish Hospitality Awards 2025 win, The Brig & Barrel wrote: "Wow, my team did amazing and they all deserve this massively. Well done guys, we love ya to bits. "I've had a few wee health issues this year and not been able to do my usual graft. But they have totally stepped upto the task and have done me proud. "The award will sit very nicely on the fireplace with a few of the other ones! Reading all the comments, seeing the support from our locals and Dunbar visitors alike is what makes me smile. Unbelievable." In addition to being named the Pub/Inn Of The Year, The Brig & Barrel has also received very positive feedback from customers. It currently has an average rating of 4.7 out of five on Google based on 511 reviews. One happy visitor wrote: "Had dinner here one night and drinks a second night. Loved this wee pub. Sat in garden area both times. Even when raining as it's covered. "Dog friendly. Great service. Great food. Thoroughly recommend. Hope to be back next time visiting the area." A second echoed: "Sunshine outdoors but lovely cool interior with cozy wood pub style. "Food was ace. Philly cheese steak was the best I have ever had. Service was ace. Will return." Elsewhere, The Keys Bar in St Andrews was named 'Best Bar' at the Scottish Hospitality Awards. The independent-run venue features more than 300 whiskies and 150 gins to choose from, and also benefits from outdoor seating. For more information, visit The Brig & Barrel website. The full list of winners at the Scottish Hospitality Awards 2025 can be found on the Oceanic Awards website.
