Camphill Vaults, Bothwell

Built c.1900 pub of red sandstone, this pub originally consisted of the public bar, family department, sitting room on the right and lounge on the left. The public bar still has its original, decoratively carved quarter-circle bar counter and a splendid near full-height, two-sided back gantry made of rosewood. It is pleasing to see that the lower shelves of the gantry remain intact and a new fridge has been placed within the servery instead of replacing shelving, as usually happens. Judging from the photograph taken 70 years ago that hangs in the bar, the only change has been the removal of small spirit casks and the replacement of the clock.

Part of the screen that originally separated the family department was removed in the mid 1990s. The high-ceilinged room has a Victorian-tiled fireplace, a good old McEwans mirror, decorative cornice-work and good ceiling roses. Note the unusual resting place for the flap allowing staff access behind the counter. Normally it is lifted up and a catch holds it in place to allow entry but here it drops down and fits into a recess into what looks like a wooden case. On the front right, the small sitting room has some old fixed seating.

The narrow lounge on the left has been refurbished but there is still hatch service. There have been some additions in modern times including a new snug behind the bar and two games rooms at the rear on the right. In c.2009 the small modernised lounge on the left was replaced by an ultra modern Riva Restaurant.