A COUNTY pub has made it through to the final four of a nationwide competition to find Scotland's best bar and pub.

The Goblin Ha', on Gifford's Main Street, will battle it out with The Anchor, in Broughty Ferry; Angels, in Uddingston; and The Leadburn, near Penicuik, to be crowned the Pub of the Year at the Scottish Bar and Pub Awards.

A winner is crowned tomorrow (Tuesday) at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow and Rob Reeley, owner of the Gifford business, was hoping it could be The Goblin Ha'.

He said: “It would be a great reward for the staff.

“They are the ones doing it day in and day out.”

Customers across the country nominated their top bar or pub, with the competition then whittled down to a dozen.

Since then, it has been narrowed down to just a final four, with mystery diners popping into each of the finalists ahead of the final decision in Glasgow. 

A team from The Goblin Ha', which employs almost 20 people, will make the journey through and Mr Reeley felt it would prove a great night, even if they did not pick up the award.

Mr Reeley, who has been at the business for almost a decade, told the Courier there was no one secret to running a successful pub or bar.

He said: “I think everyone has got their own way of doing it but you want a consistency every time you come in.

“You get the same levels of service and the same standard of food.

“For us, customer service has always been number one.

“We have a well trained, welcoming and friendly team and you balance that with serving good products, good beer and good wine, nice environment and good food.

“We try to get everything to click at the same time.”