A historic Glasgow bar will this weekend host a series of celebrations to mark a milestone anniversary.
Stockwell Street's Scotia Bar - now officially named as The Belhaven Scotia Bar - is considered Glasgow's oldest surviving pub and will soon turn 230 years young.
Established in 1792, when the Clyde was a thriving waterway on one of the city's four original streets, many of the pub's regulars back then were sailors and merchants.
READ MORE: Glasgow's Barrowland Ballroom to host roller skating party as part of short film premiere
However more recently, the Scotia became known for its arts scene, and was the hub of Glasgow's 60's & 70's folk revival.
While hosting many poets, writers and actors during this time, its punters including illustrious local names such as Billy Connolly and Gerry Rafferty.
This weekend, the Scotia will be celebrating its big birthday, starting on Friday 26th August and with live music on Saturday 27th, beginning at 2pm. A charity raffle will also take place on Saturday night, with proceeds going to Macmillan Cancer Support, with prizes including guitars, overnight hotel stays, restaurant vouchers and much more.
The Scotia Bar has also teamed up with Scottish whisky distillery Glen Scotia for a sampling session at 3pm on Saturday 27th. Guests will have the opportunity to try drams from the Campbeltown-based distillery, which currently holds the title of Whisky Distillery of the Year from the Scottish Whisky Awards.
A selection of Belhaven beers will also be available for guests to enjoy.
Speaking to Glasgow Live in The Scotia - just as Canadian bagpipers asked if they could play in the pub - about what makes it so special, Ryan, who has worked behind the bar for three years, said: "I grew up watch Billy Connolly's stand-up, he prefixes half his stories by saying 'this happened in The Scotia'. All the stories seemed so fanciful but they're all true!
"It's always full of characters and people playing guitar. They tell you these stories and they remember them.
"The first time I came in, there was a guitar thrust upon me, there was a jam happening. Right now there's a large group of Canadians playing the bagpipes - they just wandered in and asked if they could play. There's always something weird and wonderful happening in here.
"There's pubs you can go in, have a drink and its nice. But in here it's always stood for something, in terms of its music and writers have been coming here for years, poets and its very heavily-related with political activism as well."
And asked why Glaswegians and tourists have kept coming back to the pub for so many years, Ryan said: "We actually call it The Scotia family, the broader circle of regulars who come in, because it's the same faces. It's like that kind of Cheers thing of 'everybody knows your name'.
"If you're not striking up conversation with the person sitting next you, the bar staff will strike up conversation with you. It's one of those places."
Ahead of the weekend, Vicky Clark, the General Manager at the Scotia Bar, added: "We are so excited to be celebrating the Scotia Bar’s 230th birthday this month and we are thrilled to be able to work in such an important piece of history. The team are looking forward to welcoming our regular guests and new ones who want to celebrate the pub’s birthday with us."
Iain McAlister, Master Distiller at Glen Scotia, said: "Like Glen Scotia, the Scotia bar has a remarkable history to be very proud of, so we’re delighted to be joining up for this special occasion. Congratulations to all who have made the bar such a great success over the years, we’re looking forward to celebrating – with the finest drams and beers."
To find out more about The Scotia's celebrations you can visit their website here.
READ NEXT:
Glasgow Cocktail Week unveils programme of events with disco brunch and cantina truck
Popular Glasgow roll shop launches new night offering with burgers and fries
Popular Glasgow west end bar and restaurant introduces new outdoor dining domes
Glasgow's best fish and chip shops according to Food Awards Scotland 2022
Glasgow rooftop bar named one of world's best as it lands top 50 spot
