
The Pitfour Arms Hotel pulling pints again after four-year absence
The doors of the Pitfour Arms Hotel open once more today – with the first pints in four years being pulled.
Behind the historic Mintlaw pub's rebirth are Shaun Forbes and his partner Giselle, who left jobs in Aberdeen to take over the business.
The couple have big plans for the venue, which features a beer garden and a cosy snug area.
There are also four bedrooms, which they hope to start letting out in the near future.
Quiz nights, whisky evenings, cocktail classes and tea parties are all in the pipeline too.
And while they won't be offering food just yet, events with food trucks and tasting nights are already in the works.
For now though, things kick off with a grand reopening today featuring live music.
After being closed since 2021, the local spot will host its grand reopening with live music on Saturday 7 June.
Known to locals as 'The Pit', the business on The Square has been closed since 2021.
The couple only picked up the keys to the pub four weeks ago and a speedy rennovation has since taken place – with the help of Shaun's cousin, Stephen.
'There's been a lot of interest from the community,' Stephen, 35, told The Press and Journal.
'Everyone's been so supportive.
'The are just happy to see the pub come back to life.'
Shaun, a former oil and gas worker, is a craft beer fanatic who frequently visits local breweries and distilleries to create content for his YouTube channel.
Through this, the twenty-nine-year-old has built strong relationships with the local drinks scene.
His passion for the industry grew after helping his parents run The White Horse Hotel in Strichen, which they took over last year.
So when the opportunity to revive The Pitfour Arms came along, it felt like the perfect next step.
After years of closure, Shaun and Giselle, 31, are thrilled to bring The Pitfour Arms Hotel back to life.
'We've had such a warm welcome already,' said Shaun.
'Giselle and I can't wait to get involved with the community.'
The couple hope the venue will once again become a lively place for locals and visitors.
With a packed calendar of events in the works, they're aiming to offer something for everyone.
Shaun added: 'There are exciting times ahead.'

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Press and Journal
17 hours ago
- Press and Journal
The Pitfour Arms Hotel pulling pints again after four-year absence
The doors of the Pitfour Arms Hotel open once more today – with the first pints in four years being pulled. Behind the historic Mintlaw pub's rebirth are Shaun Forbes and his partner Giselle, who left jobs in Aberdeen to take over the business. The couple have big plans for the venue, which features a beer garden and a cosy snug area. There are also four bedrooms, which they hope to start letting out in the near future. Quiz nights, whisky evenings, cocktail classes and tea parties are all in the pipeline too. And while they won't be offering food just yet, events with food trucks and tasting nights are already in the works. For now though, things kick off with a grand reopening today featuring live music. After being closed since 2021, the local spot will host its grand reopening with live music on Saturday 7 June. Known to locals as 'The Pit', the business on The Square has been closed since 2021. The couple only picked up the keys to the pub four weeks ago and a speedy rennovation has since taken place – with the help of Shaun's cousin, Stephen. 'There's been a lot of interest from the community,' Stephen, 35, told The Press and Journal. 'Everyone's been so supportive. 'The are just happy to see the pub come back to life.' Shaun, a former oil and gas worker, is a craft beer fanatic who frequently visits local breweries and distilleries to create content for his YouTube channel. Through this, the twenty-nine-year-old has built strong relationships with the local drinks scene. His passion for the industry grew after helping his parents run The White Horse Hotel in Strichen, which they took over last year. So when the opportunity to revive The Pitfour Arms came along, it felt like the perfect next step. After years of closure, Shaun and Giselle, 31, are thrilled to bring The Pitfour Arms Hotel back to life. 'We've had such a warm welcome already,' said Shaun. 'Giselle and I can't wait to get involved with the community.' The couple hope the venue will once again become a lively place for locals and visitors. With a packed calendar of events in the works, they're aiming to offer something for everyone. Shaun added: 'There are exciting times ahead.'


Press and Journal
a day ago
- Press and Journal
What has brought Princess Anne and almost 200 Londoners together in Aberdeen?
Trinity Hall has hosted its very first official Royal visit since opening its doors to the public in the 1960s. Despite the downpour, several passers-by stopped to watch the Princess Royal arrive at the imposing building on the corner of Holburn Street and Great Western Road on Friday evening. She was the guest of honour at a dinner hosted by the Seven Incorporated Trades of Aberdeen to mark the beginning of a special weekend. As well as Princess Anne, 196 visitors from London were also welcomed to the modern landmark. The London Livery Companies – England's equivalent to the Trades – spend a weekend in a different city every year. And this year, they are discovering all Aberdeen has to offer. The Liveries are all linked to the Lord Mayor of London who happens to have very strong connections with the north-east. Alastair King hails from the Donside area and still splits his time between London and Strathdon. He first suggested the Liveries should travel north to his hometown for their annual trip two years ago. When he asked Deacon Convener Andy Leiper if he thought the Seven Incorporated Trades would be able to host, he responded: 'Of course we can'. 'The role of the Lord Mayor of London is to get investment for cities,' Andy told The Press and Journal. 'He travels the world as an ambassador for London. 'He wants investment into the city of Aberdeen from the capital.' After many months of planning, the London guests' jam-packed weekend started with a special dinner at Trinity Hall. The Lord Provost and the Lord Dean of Guild were among those greeting the 196 Londoners – as well as their Royal guest. Princess Anne, who has been involved with the Liveries for decades, quickly took cover from the rain but did spend some time outside talking to the welcoming party, and performers from Robert Gordon's College Pipe Band. 'This is the first official Royal visit since the building was built in 1966,' Andy, who was head of Aberdeen's bakers guild, said. 'It's quite an event for me as Deacon Convener and for the Lord Mayor – and the city as well.' Princess Anne's visit also celebrates the Seven Incorporated Trades' charity work. The Trades Widows' Fund has donated more than £1.5 million to local causes since 2017. One of their projects was building Aberdeen Riding Club at Nether Anguston Farm in Peterculter. Here, they have installed a riding simulator so disabled people can experience horse riding. Princess Anne, president of the Riding for the Disabled Association, recognised this work when visiting the club in 2023. The guests from London Livery Companies will continue learning more about the north-east over the weekend. An itinerary of events has been organised for the guests, including excursions to Crathes Castle, Fittie and South Harbour. A civic event will be held at Aberdeen Art Gallery on Saturday, with a ceilidh at Ardoe House to follow. The 196-strong group will attend a service at King's College on Sunday morning before some make their way to Balmoral. 'It's a jam-packed weekend,' Andy said. 'It has taken some organisation over the last year and a half. 'The idea is to give them a taste of Aberdeen so they want to come back.'


Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
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