On Saturday 9th May 2026 an arrangement had been made with the Craft Bar in Pitmedden to present them with the certificate for Shire/Country Pub of the Year 2026. This was the second consecutive year that the Craft had won this award.
But why visit only one pub when you can visit 3? Five branch members found their way to Aberdeen Bus Station at 11am and soon afterwards were joined on the Elgin-bound Stagecoach #35 by another 2 members. Arriving at the Redgarth in Oldmeldrum just after opening time, our numbers swelled to 9. What fine company in which to enjoy pints of Hurricane Jack (Fyne Ales )and a rather fresh West Highland Way (Loch Lomond). The sun came out and we drained our pints outside under the cheery blossom.
2pm arrived and brought with it the Watermill Coaches bus, which whisked us over to Pitmedden in 15 minutes. We were met by Paul and Roseanne Johnston, some more branch members, and a full complement of local residents who had turned out to support the pub. There were two beers from Six Degrees North beers on Cask, the Ascent IPA and Motion Honey Stout. as well as Harviestoun Natural Blonde. We filled our glasses, sampled the wonderful pies and proceeded to make the presentation, followed by a talk from the Six Degrees North brewer about the beers on the bar and available in the on-site shop today.
Time flies, and the Watermill coach reappeared with the same driver, to take us over to Ellon in just ten minutes, where we rounded the day of with lovely pints of Jarl (Fyne Ales) in the Tolbooth, before getting the Stagecoach bus back to Aberdeen.
