Traditional pub is great value.. but needs to tap into customers’ needs

The Ferry Tap is all tradition.

With its oak gantry, it has traditional decor.

The selection of 52 malt whiskies give it a traditional Scottish drinks selection.

The pub grub is simple but ef fective too, with a tasty selection of toasties, pies, wraps, baked potatoes and burgers.

Even the old sign outside with just the words “Ale House” speaks to simpler times.

As the name suggests, this South Queensferry favourite is a former ferrymen’s pub.

The dog- friendly bar is situated in the town’s High Street in the shadow of the new £1.4billion bridge replacement, the Queensferry Crossing. Before the first Forth Road bridge was built in 1964, the only way to cross the Firth was by ferry.

The Ferry Tap is the type of place where you can imagine ferry crews stopping off for an ale or two in the old days.

Where the pub falls down against the best traditions of Scottish hospitality, though, is in its service from the bar. Despite it being a busy sunny bank holiday Monday on our visit, there was only one member of staff on duty, who was taking both meal and drinks orders.

A trip to the bar was necessary to order a second round of drinks with none of the staff following up after excellent value- for- money meals of steak pie and chips and fish and chips had been finished.

This pub was well worth a visit but a pity about the service.