Several special events have been organised to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of CAMRA in Scotland and we’ve love to see you at some, or all, of them.

The first special event is to celebrate the three oldest active breweries in Scotland, namely Belhaven, Broughton and Traquair House. This event will take place on Saturday 7th September, in the Athletic Arms (Diggers), 1-3 Angle Park Terrace, Edinburgh EH11 2JX from 1pm. There are normally 6 real ale ales available and we hope to have beer available from all three breweries. https://whatpub.com/pubs/EDN/638/athletic-arms-diggers-edinburgh

On Saturday 12th October from 1pm, we will be celebrating the formation of the first Scottish CAMRA branch fifty years ago, in the Bon Accord, 153 North Street, Charing Cross, Glasgow G3 7DA. The Bon Accord was one of the original pubs at the forefront of real ale in Glasgow and the founding nearby of the first branch in Scotland. It remains an important part of Scotland’s real ale history. There will be a small finger buffet and some celebration cake available. There are normally 8 real ales available. It would be great to see some long-standing original CAMRA members from across the country at this event. https://whatpub.com/pubs/GLA/0114/bon-accord-glasgow

The presentation of this year’s Scottish Pub of the Year Award to the Hillend Tavern will take place on Friday 13th September at 4pm. Note that the pub opens at 3pm on a Friday afternoon. There’s a train that leaves Haymarket at 1508, arriving at Dalgety Bay at 1530. If coming from the Kirkcaldy side there’s a train leaving Perth at 1427, Kirkcaldy 1510 and arriving in Dalgety Bay at 1529. There’s a bus stop beside the station with varous buses serving it including the Stagecoach 7 or 87. For anyone who’s never been to the Hillend Tavern, come out of the station, turn to your right and walk for about 5 minutes (be careful with traffic on the bad bend) and the pub sits on your right at 37 Main Street, Hillend. There should be 4 real ales available. Francesca and her team will give you a warm welcome. https://whatpub.com/pubs/FIF/50/hillend-tavern-hillend

Other forthcoming Scottish CAMRA events to note in your diaries are:

27-29 Sept: Forth Valley CAMRA - Dark Ale Trail by Rail. Visit a selection of pubs between Dunblane, Larbert and Linlithgow for a weekend of dark ales. More info at: https://forthvalley.camra.org.uk/viewnode.php?id=226089

3-5 October: Ayrshire Real Ale Festival, Troon Concert Hall. Organised by Ayrshire & Wigtownshire CAMRA, Scotland’s largest real ale festival features over 140 cask ales and 20 real ciders and perries. Only 10 mins walk from Troon station. https://www.ayrshirebeerfestival.co.uk/

8-9 November: Forth Valley CAMRA - Alloa Real Ale and Cider Festival, Alloa Town Hall. Featuring over 50 real ales and 20 ciders. https://forthvalley.camra.org.uk/viewnode.php?id=223590