Thistle Inn (1), 19 Celt Street

Image: © P L Chadwick Taken: 3 Oct 2010

This independently owned pub has an interesting history. The original building dated from between 1690 and 1710, and was a coaching inn on the main road north to Beauly. In the 1860's permission was required for public houses to sell alcohol. The Thistle Inn was at first refused but apparently carried on trading, but re-applied a few years later, and was successful. The building looks old but in fact it is a replica. The original had become unstable, and was demolished and replaced by the present building in 2003. The Mayflower lounge bar & function room was demolished in 2006, but the antique wood panels were preserved, and this part of the inn was replaced in 2008. This reconstruction must be a fairly unique event these days, when most pubs which were no longer in a fit state, would be demolished and the land used for other purposes. Image

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