Gavin W.
Yelp
I've a sort of rule, not to review pubs unless it's the first time that I've eaten there. I've been to the Drovers Inn countless times and eaten there often, but hey I like it!
You're heading north, you've just passed Ardlui, just passed the top of Loch Lomond, and then you see an old horse trap on the right. You draw up in your Honda, tie it to the railing, run the gauntlet of geese, and gaze upwards at the splendour of the distant waterfall crashing down Glen Falloch. You turn and look on an old inn that doesn't seem to have been built there, more sort of thrown from Balloch. There isn't a straight line anywhere - check the windaes! - this crazy place built in the early 16th century was probably never even planned, it just kinda happened. On walking in you're greeted by a menagerie of stuffed animals, including a snarling bear, a smiling shark and a bleating two-headed lamb. You turn left into the howff, it's the darkest and dingiest part of the place - and the bit to be in. The walls are black, the plaster is hanging off the picture frames and the furniture is rickety, but it is fantastic. Blazing log fires, kilted staff and all sorts of highland paraphernalia adorn the room. Rob Roy might well have helped the last time it was decorated, he used to come here apparently! Maybe he still does, because the inn is apparently haunted, and honestly when I stayed here a drawer banged open a couple of inches and I was scared enough that I had to go down to the bar for most of the night!
Anyway I opted for the Haggis, Neeps and Tatties to start, followed by the Highlander burger. Both came quickly, both were scoffed with gusto. To be honest it's hearty food, served in unpretentious, me-sized portions, but it's pretty good. Decent haggis, big crisp chunky chips and a firm, meaty burger. The staff seem to be picked for their wry personality and the banter is good and the humour is dry. It has flaws, but I don't know anywhere else quite like it, and for that whole experience and not just the food it's 5 stars!...Warning: Not everyone will appreciate its rustic charms