Village pub to re-open

The Courier, 13 February 2004

Residents of Kingsbarns yesterday highlighted the important role played by village pubs in community life as they looked forward to the re-opening next month of one of Scotland’s oldest coaching inns following its closure for more than three years.

The Cambo Arms Hotel, which has seen a pub on the site for more than 400 years, has been closed since November 2000 after the then owners, Alistair and Anne Fraser, argued that the pub was not viable, pointing out then that all efforts to market the property as a pub had failed.

The Frasers’ bid to turn the property into a twin residence was blocked by Fife councillors and later by an Executive Reporter who ruled that loss of the pub would be detrimental to the character of the conservation area.

After three years which has seen local people unable to buy a pint in their own village, however, it was confirmed yesterday by the new owner, Falkirk-based Ian Murtagh, that the redeveloped and newly named The Barns at Kingsbarns was on schedule to open on March 10.

Mr Murtagh, who will run the premises with his wife Marilyn, bought the property in October.

He told yesterday how The Barns would essentially be a 50-seater steak restaurant but retaining the character of a village pub.

Originally from Glasgow, Mr Murtagh, a keen golfer, said he had been involved in the licensed trade most of his working life and had sold up businesses in other parts of Scotland.