
Ayrshire pub claims regional pub of the year award
The Village Inn in Fairlie has been chosen as the Ayrshire and Wigtownshire CAMRA Pub of the Year.
An Ayrshire pub has been named as regional pub of the year for 2025 by CAMRA - the Campaign for Real Ale.
Fairlie's Village Inn was selected following a rigorous judging process to be named the Ayrshire and Wigtownshire Pub of the Year.
The popular pub will no go onto the national finals where it will represent Ayrshire and could be named Scottish CAMRA Pub of the Year.
After a close-run competition, the Village Inn came out as the overall winner, with judges commending it for the quality of the real ales, friendly atmosphere and tasty home-cooked meals.
Last week, Thursday, May 22, the pub was presented with its award by Lindsay Grant, Ayrshire and Wigtownshire CAMRA branch chair.
A total of 26 CAMRA members from across the region turned out to celebrate the achievement and they were treated to a number of fine real ales.
Currently, the Village Inn offers four ales including Jack Back and Stewart's 80/- from Stewart Brewing as well as Caledonian Brewery's Deuchars IPA and McGregor's by Five Kingdoms.
Cunninghame North MSP Kenneth Gibson has also celebrated the achievement by submitting a motion to the Scottish Parliament which congratulates the pub and highlights "the contribution of owner Brian Flanagan and his team in achieving this recognition".
A spokesperson for Ayrshire and Wigtownshire CAMRA said: "The Village Inn, Fairlie has been judged as Ayrshire and Wigtownshire CAMRA Branch Pub of the Year 2025.
"A presentation was held recently on Thursday, May 22, to give licensee Brian Flanagan his award.
"The Village Inn now goes forward to be judged against the other Scottish branch winners in this year's competition, with the overall Scottish Pub of the Year winner being announced at the end of July.
"Thanks also to local MSP Kenneth Gibson for lodging a motion to the Scottish Parliament to congratulate the Village Inn, Fairlie for winning the Branch Pub of the Year 2025."
The Ayrshire and Wigtownshire CAMRA branch holds regular socials every month to which anyone is welcome to attend and have a chat about anything whilst enjoying a pint of real ale.
Recent socials have seen the enthusiasts enjoy the ales over in Fraser's Bar, Millport; the Weston Tavern, Kilmaurs; and the Harbour Bar, Troon.
Full details of forthcoming events can be found online at ayr.camra.org.uk.
The next North Ayrshire and Branch social will be held at the Glasgow Real Ale Festival held in the Briggait, Glasgow on Friday 20 June from 12pm.
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