SCOTS in Mandurah with have a new spiritual home when The Pipers Inn opens tomorrow night.
When owner and venue manager Gary Drummond moved here from Dunfermline, Scotland, with his family, his dream was to open a Scottish style pub.
Three years later, thanks to the backing of his in-laws Ian and Sheila Wilkinson, and wife Amanda, that dream is a reality, Gary said.
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READ NOWGary is a familiar face around Mandurah and Rockingham.
He’s managed the Whistling Kite, Leisure Inn, the Brighton and the Peel Alehouse.
“I noticed there’s a lot of British living down here,” he said.
“I wanted to offer some home comforts.”
The pub’s a true family affair, Gary and Ian will be front of house. Amanda and Sheila will be in the kitchen.
“We’re here with delicious home cooked meals,” he said.
“It’s not fine dining.”
They will be cooking sausage, black pudding, tatty scones, chicken Balmoral, steak pie, lasagne, mac and cheese and chicken parmigiana.
Of course it wouldn’t be a Scottish pub if it didn’t serve – to quote poet Robert Burns the “great chieftain o the puddin’-race”… haggis.
Despite its bad reputation, Gary assures that haggis is rather tasty.
“Don’t research it,” he said.
“Just try it, because when people find out what it is, they don’t want to try it.
“But they’re sure to like it.”
Gary said it’ll have a bit of a kick to it and be served with whiskey sauce.
Pubs are in Gary’s blood. A Drummond uncle runs a pub in Magaluf, Scotland.
At 18, Gary was Belhaven Breweries general manager.
Then at 20, he brought a freehold pub.
“I want to offer Mandurah something different,” he said.
“Every pub sells Swan Draught.”
The Pipers Inn has a small bar licence so guests can come in for a pint of Balhaven Ale or Tennent’s Lager.
They’ll be reasonably priced too, going for $10, while basic spirits will cost $6.
Gary is passionate about the lager – it’s served in a technically designed glass that keeps it “lively”.
“It’s the glassware that makes the British Lagar,” he said.
There will be Garyoke on Friday, Saturday and Sunday – playing 70s, 80s, 90s and disco.
“We’re going for atmosphere,” he said.
It wouldn’t be a proper pub without sports, so the TV will be tuned to the English Premier League most nights, with replays on during the day.
Gary is encouraging Mandurah residents to come down on Thursday at 6.30pm to experience Scottish hospitality.
There will be a live piper and drummer from 6pm to 7pm, samples and menu tasters – including Scottish sliders, haggis and chips and dip.