Anderson, Fortrose

Restaurant with Hotel facilities

Originally from USA, Jim Anderson has a near-encyclopedic knowledge of ales and regularly writes about them for magazines and newspapers world-wide. He has been at the helm since 2003, when it fast became a Mecca for discerning drinkers and food lovers.

Listed in the GBG every year since 2005, it has been a deserved entry and is welcoming to families; the Anderson also prides itself on being "dog friendly" with doggie treats available behind the bar.

Parts of the building date back to the 1840s. The cellar under the bar is over 200 years old, maintaining a steady temperature throughout the year and must have seen more than a thousand different beers, as the array of pump clips fixed to the ceiling of the bar can attest.

As a free house, the two hand pumps in the bar offer a rolling selection of well-kept ales mostly from breweries in Scotland, with occasional 'tap take-overs'. Beers from the multi-award winning Cromarty Brewery, just 7 miles away, feature regularly and an occasional 'collaborative' brew with Jim working with Cromarty. A third hand pump in the Whisky Bar offers a locally produced cider.

The discerning drinker might also be tempted by the interesting selection of artisan beers from the fonts, or maybe a bottle (or tin) from the shelf or fridge, which includes an excellent selection of Belgian beers. Gluten free beers are also available.

In the whisky bar, you can select from more than 200 whiskys, possibly one of the biggest collections in the Highlands, include some very rare and expensive expressions, or alternatively one of Jim's well-picked 'flights' of three complimentary whiskys to compare and contrast.

Describing itself as an "hotel, smokehouse, whisky bar and pub", the Anderson has been a "go to" destination not just for beer aficionados, but also for 'foodies' over the years; it has won many awards and deserved plaudits from UK press and travel writers, which can be seen proudly displayed in the entrance lobby.

There is a separate dining area where bigger family groups can be accommodated, but food is served in both bars. Due to its popularity, booking is strongly recommended!

The ever-changing specials menu, compliments a standard menu offering a range of pub fare, all made with locally-sourced Black Isle ingredients, including some from Jim's own cottage garden.

There is also an on-line takeaway menu, where food can be pre-ordered for collection, with an option of a two pint carry out. This.service started during quarantine, with 'themed' food from different countries. This was very popular then with locals and now attracts many staying in holiday lets and those using the Rosemarkie and Fortrose caravan sites.

For those wanting to stay the night, there are nine tastefully refurbished letting rooms available, including one with a four poster bed. Between September and May, over the last weekend of the month, you can stay for half price and take part in their (beer and food) 'Geek-ends'.

With its white frontage, doors and windows picked out in black painted stonework, The Anderson is easily located on the High Street in Fortrose, with ample free parking in the adjacent Cathedral Square, or take the bus (service 26) journey from Inverness, just over 30 minutes away.

The 'beer garden' in the gravelled courtyard has a small 'wee snug' and a separate generous awning, Not so warm outside? - both bars and restaurant have stoves for those cooler days.

The bar opens from 4pm to "late", with food from 5pm, Thursday (Wednesday during the Summer) to Sunday.

There are regular Scottish traditional music nights, normally on a Sunday.

Locally, dolphin watching at Chanonry Point is very popular all year round (at its best two hours after low tide), golf on the local links and other award winning courses, and for the whisky aficionado, touring the local distilleries, or maybe just sample some of the extensive collection in the whisky bar?

Pleas note that the Anderson closes for about a month mid-November for family holidays, re-opening just before Christmas.

As ever, check out the website, social media or phone to check for opening times.