Scots toast first pint in pubs since March

Pubs and bars across Scotland have opened indoor areas for the first time since March.

Lockdown restrictions on licensed premises were eased on Wednesday, allowing them to start operating inside once again as long as social distancing and hygiene measures are in place.

Bill Day, 70, described his first drink inside the Piper's Rest in Edinburgh, four months since last being in a pub, as fandabbydozey''.

The retired trade union official told the PA news agency: It's my life, it's my social life being in the pub - I've had no social life for four months.

If I wasn't such a cheery chappy I'd be... totally depressed. March 15 was my last day in a pub.

The wine tastes fandabbydozey - I've got loads of wine in the house, I must have at least 200 bottles of wine and several dozen bottles of spirits but I haven't touched a drop because I don't drink in my house on my own.''

Barman Dejah Hajdukovic said it was great to see regular faces such as Mr Day back in the bar, and he told staff had been monitoring attendances in beer gardens to judge whether it was right to open.

The 38-year-old added: I walked into work and thought 'I haven't been here in (four months)'

It's a nice feeling, there's a lot of good memories working behind a bar and having people in.

Those are the kinds of things you love - it's easy, it's nice.''

The Scotsman's Lounge, in the capital's Cockburn Street, opened its doors at 11am with a queue of eager drinkers outside.

Punters poured into the pub, which had hand sanitiser on entry and a one-way system around the premises.

George Macdonald was the first in line to buy two pints of Tennent's, a feeling he described as alright''.

Ivor Birnie was another who had been queuing outside and entered the building to the sound of the 11am bells.

The 64-year-old barman said: After four months it's quite pleasant to sit and relax for a change.

I went for a Belhaven Best - it tastes like a pint.''

Despite the lifting of lockdown measures, some premises have decided against reopening for various reasons.

Captain's Bar in Edinburgh, known for its daily live music performances in a snug environment, has remained shut over financial and safety concerns.

Landlady Pamela Macgregor has called on Edinburgh City Council to provide some leeway'' in letting her use the outdoor space for seating customers and music lovers.

A spokeswoman for the local authority said it is making outdoor space available for businesses where possible through its Spaces for People programme.

Brewhemia, on the city's Market Street, is a large premises with ample opportunity for social distancing but it will also not yet be reopening.

Daniel Wylie, general manager of the bar, said: While we have great space and plenty of room, the reality is there's no-one in the city centre - there's just zero confidence.''