The Lock Inn — Restaurant in Great Britain

We visited this establishment last week and, whilst it looks nice and cosy, the attitude of the older barman (Graeme, I believe) is anything but. He honestly couldn't have cared less about being welcoming to two older women keen to eat there. The place was very crowded (a good sign, or so we thought), with no obviously spare seats. A staircase seemed to indicate the possibility of a seating area upstairs, but it was impossible to tell and I wasn't keen for my companion to attempt it, given her injured knee. It was tempting to try elsewhere, but as we were very tired and very hungry, I asked the barman, 'Is there seating upstairs at all, please?' He heaved a sigh, gave me a bored look and totally unhelpfully said, 'I couldn't say'. I tried again, still not sure if upstairs seating actually existed. 'OK, then in theory, is there any more seating upstairs?' His next response wasn't any better. Another sigh and, 'It's possible.' What a total jerk. All he had to do was smile and say, 'Yep, there's seats upstairs but whether any are free, I'm not sure.' I gave up trying to converse with someone unfamiliar with courtesy and went upstairs to look. My companion told me later that as I did so, the barman looked at the next patron, sniggered and made a face as if to say, 'What a pain in the arse SHE was!' So, dear reader, did we find those elusive seats? Yes, we did. Did we have an enjoyable meal after all that effort? No, we did not. Disappointing food at top prices sums it up. The soup was so loaded with pepper it was impossible to identify it as the advertised mushroom variety; the garlic bread had clearly come out of a packet and had spent but a few brief seconds somewhere near a microwave; and the flat white coffee was so far removed from being either hot or tasting of actual coffee that it should have incurred a hefty fine. Almost all of our meal was left on the table. A total waste of money and a dreadful experience all round. Honestly, it doesn't take much effort to be welcoming and friendly to tourists wanting to spend time and money in your establishment. So, if you're not willing to make the effort, then perhaps it's time to consider if working behind a bar is the right job for you. We just wish we'd read the many other negative reviews also referencing the surly service and poor attitude others had experienced at the Lock Inn - then we would have saved ourselves from one of the worst lunches we've had...

Let me start with the positive, the fish and chips were some of the best I have had anywhere. Seriously great!

Now for everything else... This is a place where everyone at lunch is here on a tour and we all have limited time. We sat upstairs, when we went up, no one else was sitting upstairs. I went and ordered at the bar, nothing complicated two burgers and the fish and chips. After I ordered, I then went and sat upstair at this point everything seems good.

Others people arrive and the upstairs starts filling up. Other tables order, all seems fine. The whole upstairs fills up. Other tables start to recieve their food. We do not. I think ok a ton of fish and chips just came out, maybe the burgers take extra time. I see burgers come out and now I am getting worried.

I go downstairs to find out the details from the bar tender (who I ordered with,) He see me coming, tells me our food is on its way (spoiler, it wasn't) and to head back upstairs. 100% just dismissed me. What can I do? I head back upstairs.

People keep getting their food, to the point that people that arrived after us are now heading out and we need to get back to our tour.

I hunt down the server and mention that we still have not received our order. She runs away panicked. 10 minutes later our food arrives with a quick apology from the server. The burgers were hockey pucks. The fish was great. We wolfed down our food and ran to the tour.

40+ minutes from order to when it arrived and I am positive that if I didn't hunt down the server it would never...

On a crisp afternoon in Scotland, I found myself in a cozy pub nestled in a quaint village. The warm, inviting atmosphere was filled with the sounds of clinking glasses and lively chatter. The wooden beams and tartan decor added to the charm, making it a perfect spot for a traditional meal.

When the waiter brought out my plate, I was immediately struck by the golden, crispy batter enveloping the flaky white fish. The fish was perfectly cooked—moist and tender inside, with a satisfying crunch on the outside. Accompanying the fish were thick-cut chips, also golden and crisp, seasoned just right. A side of tartar sauce and a wedge of lemon completed the plate, offering a zesty contrast to the richness of the fish.

Each bite was a delightful blend of flavors and textures. The batter was light yet hearty, while the chips were fluffy and comforting. It was easy to see why this dish is a beloved staple in Scottish cuisine.

This dining experience was not just about the food and drink; it was about enjoying a slice of Scottish culture. The combination of fish and chips with a well-crafted beer made for an unforgettable lunch. As I savored the last bites, I felt a deep appreciation for the simple yet profound joys of good food and drink in a...