Pub Heritage Cuilfail
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Argyll & The Isles - Kilmelford
Three star - A pub interior of exceptional national historic importance
Listed Status: Not listed
Kilmelford
PA34 4XA
Tel: (01852) 200274
Email: mail@cuilfail.com
Website http://www.cuilfail.co.uk
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/cuilfailhotel.kilmelford
Real Ale: Yes
Lunchtime Meals: Yes
Evening Meals: Yes
Public Transport: Near Bus Stop
Bus: Yes
View on: Whatpub
The main part of the hotel dates from the 1870s and was added on to an old drovers’ inn, the rather extraordinary interior of which is of interest here. It was refashioned in 1957 (date on the fireplace) and is a now-rare example of the kind of theming that was then so popular. In this case the theme is rugged stonework. But beware! The only real stones are around the fireplace. The rest is fake, created by applied concrete, painted to look convincingly rustic. The ‘stone’-faced counter also incorporates segments of imitation brass-strapped whisky casks and the gantry also features similar work. There’s a quadrant-shaped screen at the entrance with a Perspex centre amid the ‘stones’. The flooring is of terrazzo and the Critall windows have coloured glass panes. In the rear alcove a door leads to the former games room, now a kitchen. On the hotel side there is a short passage with dado panelling (again of 1957? and repeated in the hotel reception area) and an arch leading to a small tiny snug. Its hatch to the servery is now blocked. There are plans to restart on-site brewing (it ceased in 2010). ‘Cuilfail’ (pronounced ‘cool-fail’) means ‘sheltered corner’ in Gaelic.
The main part of the hotel, dating from the 1870s, added to an old drovers’ inn and it is the rather extraordinary interior of the latter which is of interest here. It was re-fashioned in 1957 (date on the fireplace) and is a now-rare example of the kind of theming that was then so popular. In this case the theme is rugged stonework. But beware! The only real rocks are around the fireplace. The rest is fake, created by applied concrete, pointed to look convincingly rustic. The ‘rock’-faced counter also incorporates segments of imitation brass-strapped whisky casks with and the gantry also features similar work. The original lower shelves have been replaced by a fridge and some modern shelves.
There’s a quadrant-shaped screen at the entrance with a Perspex centre amid the ‘rocks’. The flooring is of terrazzo. In the rear alcove a door leads to the former games room, now a kitchen. Crittall windows, with coloured glass panes, survive. The exposed beams are thought to be original as they extend into the roof space. On the hotel side there is a short passage with dado panelling (again of 1957? and repeated in the hotel reception area) and an arch leading to a small tiny snug. Its hatch to the servery is now blocked. ‘Cuilfail’ (pronounced ‘cool-fail’) means ‘sheltered corner’ in Gaelic.
Full Description
There’s a quadrant-shaped screen at the entrance with a Perspex centre amid the ‘rocks’. The flooring is of terrazzo. In the rear alcove a door leads to the former games room, now a kitchen. Crittall windows, with coloured glass panes, survive. The exposed beams are thought to be original as they extend into the roof space. On the hotel side there is a short passage with dado panelling (again of 1957? and repeated in the hotel reception area) and an arch leading to a small tiny snug. Its hatch to the servery is now blocked. ‘Cuilfail’ (pronounced ‘cool-fail’) means ‘sheltered corner’ in Gaelic.
