Ship inn is named AA’s Scottish pub of the year

Owners have won title before with the Ship’s sister pub, the Bridge Inn at Ratho

Elie’s Ship Inn is riding the crest of a wave after being named as the AA’s Scottish Pub of the Year.

The Fife public house and hotel received the top industry gong at a star-studded ceremony in London on Monday night.

Graham Bucknall, who runs the venue with wife Rachel, said: “We are thrilled that this beautiful pub has been recognised with this award.

“We have loved the Ship Inn for many years as customers, and for the last two years as owners, and we have always known it could be a world-class venue.

“To receive the AA accolade is testament to the tremendous hard work done by so many people in an incredibly short period of time.”

The Ship Inn has long been regarded as one of Scotland’s most iconic venues and is famous for being the only pub in the world to have a cricket team with a pitch on the beach.

Purchased by the Bucknalls in 2014, the venue has undergone extensive renovations in the past year, including the addition of a new restaurant and overnight accommodation.

It marks the second time in three years that the owners have won the Scottish Pub of the Year award, having taken the title with the Ship’s sister premises, the Bridge Inn at Ratho, in 2014.

Keeping his eyes on further accolades, Mr Bucknall added: “I guess we must be doing something right.

“We’re often asked if we’d take on another pub, and the answer is that we always have our eyes out for the next opportunity.

“But it would have to be the right property – one good enough to enable us to win three AA awards with three different venues.” jowatson@thecourier.co.uk

I guess we must be doing something right.

GRAHAM BUCKNALL

Pictures: Steven Brown Photography. Above, centre: staff members, from left, Sean Brown, Stephanie Guild, Sarah Salvesen, Jordan Dignan, Sian Linton and Tristan Riechel. Above, right: Colinsburgh man Ronnie Duncan, 89, enjoying a beer and a dram.