Top 5 Pubs in the Scottish Highlands – Remote Inns & Highland Hospitality

Exploring the Scottish Highlands often means encountering wild landscapes and ever-changing weather – and at the end of a long day, nothing beats a warm pub to rest and refresh. As one writer notes, “nothing beats a trip to a good pub afterwards.” The Highlands are dotted with famed inns and taverns that combine old-world charm with genuine Highland hospitality. From loch-side taprooms to village favourites, here are five standouts where great pints and hearty food await amid spectacular scenery.

The Old Forge, Inverie (Knoydart)

Britain’s most remote pub, The Old Forge (Inverie) sits at the end of a single-track road on the Knoydart peninsula. Surrounded by mountains and the sea, it’s only reachable on foot or by boat. The modest whitewashed building has changed little over the years, and its simple interior feels timeless. Wooden beams, a turf fire and walls hung with pub memorabilia create a cosy refuge for walkers and wild-swimmers alike. Since a community buyout reopened it in 2022, the pub has been staffed and supplied by locals who poured their own funds into saving it.

Food at The Old Forge matches its rugged setting. The kitchen serves up classic pub fare: fresh grilled salmon or trout from nearby waters, root vegetable stews, steak pie and even simple sandwiches. It’s not a gourmet menu, but everything is honest and filling. Beer lovers will find a couple of real ales on cask and a stout or lager from Scottish breweries, while the whisky list features regional malts. Earning that first pint here – after a long hike – really does feel like a badge of honour, but it’s worth it for the warm welcome that greets every guest. While the selection is limited, the ale is always properly kept and the whiskies are poured neat, so you know you’re getting quality.

The Applecross Inn, Applecross Peninsula

Tucked at the tip of a remote peninsula, the Applecross Inn offers dramatic Highland flair. Accessed via the hair-raising Bealach na Bà road, this whitewashed pub sits on a bay with sweeping views to the Isle of Skye and Raasay. It’s “legendary for its food, craic and location”. Bikers, campers and North Coast 500 road-trippers make the pilgrimage here, lured by the panorama and friendly village pub vibe. Inside, it’s delightfully old-school: bright red carpets and orange pine panelling, picnic benches outside, and a roaring wood-burner to take the chill off. Conversations flow easily between locals and visitors. One guide even praises Applecross for having “a beer garden with the most spectacular views in Scotland”.

The menu showcases the bounty of the sea. Locals fish for langoustines, crab and scallops which often appear on the specials board. Staff proudly describe their giant langoustine (prawn) dishes and fresh-skewered scallops. A traveller noted that the menu “naturally showcases local seafood” with butter-poached prawns and plump hand-dived scallops. Portions are generous and hearty: favourites include fish and chips, steak-and-stilton pie, and a classic fish pie. Applecross also stocks over 50 malt whiskies and serves its own ale from the Applecross Brewery just down the road. On a fine summer evening the few picnic tables outside are the place to be, beer in hand under the long sunset sky.

The Stein Inn, Waternish (Isle of Skye)

Perched on the windswept Waternish Peninsula, the Stein Inn is the oldest pub on Skye. Its simple whitewashed façade stands out at the end of a single-track road, almost inviting passers-by to stop in. Inside, you’ll find low ceilings, thick stone walls, and a hearth that’s kept burning at all hours – the setting is warm and intimate. The Stein is famous among spirits enthusiasts: “the ale is real, the fire is roaring and there are over 99 single malt whiskies to sample”. Nearly every shelf behind the bar glows with bottles of rare Scotch, and regulars will happily pour you a taster as a mini tasting session. Evenings at the Stein may include impromptu music or storytelling by candlelight, adding to the timeless island feel.

When it comes to food, The Stein keeps things hearty and local. The kitchen offers Scottish pub classics and island-inspired fare: think langoustine linguine (with seafood caught by Skye fishermen), hearty fish stews, and steaks from local farms. Evenings often find the bar filled with hikers and Scorran ferry passengers swapping stories over a dram or two. The Stein even offers a handful of rooms upstairs, blending its historic charm with modern comfort. Many visitors say a quiet afternoon beside the hearth, sampling whiskies and local ale, is the perfect way to slow down and soak in Skye’s magic.

The Clachaig Inn, Glencoe

Nestled at the base of Scotland’s most dramatic mountain valley, The Clachaig Inn feels “like a refuge carved out of the mountains themselves”. Climbers and hillwalkers gravitate here to swap tales over pints of well-kept ale. Inside, the air is smoky with peat from the long-burning fireplace, and traditional Scottish folk music often drifts from the snug corner. The inn’s thick stone walls, dark beams and taxidermy trophies give it a rugged Highland character – it’s the kind of place where strangers quickly become friends. On stormy nights the warm fires and camaraderie make even howling winds feel unimportant.

Food and drink at Clachaig match the setting. The menu is all about hearty comfort: plates of rich venison stew or lamb hotpot, haggis with neeps and tatties, and giant steak pies keep the chill out. Legendary recipes have been perfected here over the years. The bar’s whisky collection is immense – “hundreds of whiskies gleam like jewels”, from smoky Islays to smooth Lowland malts – and a few well-chosen Scottish cask ales are always on tap. Service stays friendly even when busy: staff will cheerfully recommend a local dram or pour a sampler if you’re undecided. If live music’s on the schedule (folk nights are common), the room buzzes with foot-tapping and song. The Clachaig Inn captures the very essence of a Highland climbers’ pub: rugged, warm and welcoming.

The Moulin Inn, Pitlochry (Cairngorms)

At the opposite end of the Highlands, the Moulin Inn stands in Highland Perthshire at the foot of Ben Vrackie. Dating from 1695, this white-walled pub exudes history. Wander inside and you’ll find original low ceilings, wide-armed fireplaces and sturdy oak beams. True to tradition, the Moulin avoids modern distractions: there is no jukebox or TV, just the crackle of embers and the contented murmur of conversation. One visitor notes you won’t find a pool table – instead you’ll find “a huge stone hearth” for warmth. The family who run the inn even set up a brewery across the street, so you can relax by the fire with a pint of their home-brewed Braveheart ale. Regulars will tell you there’s no better reward after a hike in Glen Lyon than a stein of that hearty ale.

The Moulin’s menu is straightforward but satisfying. It highlights fresh local ingredients: the seafood crêpe is often cited as a must-try, and the fish and chips come with line-caught haddock. On weekends the pub is famous for its Sunday lunches – roast beef (or a nut roast for vegetarians) with all the trimmings often sells out. Prices are fair for the quality and location (pints around £5, mains in the low-to-mid teens). Portions are generous – a burger or fish supper here feels like good value. Service is efficient and warm; the staff remember faces and pour your second round as soon as the first mug is empty. All in all, the Moulin Inn feels like the archetype of Highland pub tradition – a cosy place to end a day in the Cairngorms.

Each of these Highland pubs has a unique character, but they share a few things: warm service, a strong sense of place, and a genuine invitation to linger over good drink. From the remoteness of The Old Forge to the great Highland peaks around Clachaig, you’ll find Scotland’s best pubs are as memorable as the landscapes that surround them. As one guide recommends, soak in the company of locals and travellers alike over a fine local ale – you might even swap your own tale of the mountains you just conquered. Do remember that many Highland pubs close for a break between lunch and dinner (especially outside summer), so it’s wise to check opening times before you go. But whether you’re seated by a peat fire or outside watching the sun dip behind the hills, you’ll find hearty fare, friendly banter, and a well-pulled pint to match. Ultimately, stepping into any one of these Highlands pubs feels like joining a conversation among old friends – even if it's your first visit.