A MULTI-AWARD-WINNING Musselburgh pub has been praised in a Scottish Parliament motion after winning a top accolade.

Staggs Bar, which is situated behind the Brunton Hall, pulled the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) Scotland and Northern Ireland Pub of the Year Award 2016.

Jeremy Balfour, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, lodged a motion congratulating the pub, which is also known as the Volunteer Arms.

He urged Parliament to note that this traditional Scottish pub, run by the same family since 1858, was “a friendly local”, famous for its many guest ales, rums, whiskies and gins.

He asked Parliament to consider that pubs were often the centre of community life in towns and cities as well as villages and played a huge role in “social cohesion”.

Mr Balfour believed that the British pub was “a uniquely wonderful institution”, and called on Parliament to wish Staggs success.

His motion was supported by: Margaret Mitchell, Miles Briggs, Alex Johnstone, Alexander Stewart, Peter Chapman, Donald Cameron, Oliver Mundell, John Lamont, Liz Smith, Colin Beattie, David Torrance, Murdo Fraser, Kenneth Gibson, Douglas Ross, Richard Lyle, Alexander Burnett, Alison Harris, Ross Thomson, Maurice Corry and Neil Bibby.

Staggs won the the CAMRA Pub of the Year for Edinburgh and South East Scotland title the first time CAMRA ran the competition in 1997. The following year, the pub received the same award, followed by the Pub of the Year for Scotland and Pub of the Year for the UK.

Staggs has won the Pub of the Year 18 times – three times for the local Lothians branch and 15 times for Edinburgh and South East Scotland.

Manager Katie McKenzie said: “We are delighted to be in this position and believe it’s down to a combination of sourcing great beers, and keeping them in the best condition, great staff who are always ready for a banter and of course the best customers in Scotland. The pub has been in our family since 1858.”

She added: “CAMRA have been very good to us over the years, hosting at least one annual general meeting at Staggs, and we are incredibly grateful for all the awards they have presented us with.”