The Merkinch Arms has been open now for a few months and has become well established in the Merkinch community. Gone is the smoky atmosphere of the Lochiel, replaced instead with a mixture of the old and the new. The sports theme still attracts the usual betting types but also the younger ones are coming in for the Pool competitions etc, and of course the televised sporting events.

The Grant Street/Lower Kessock area has long been bothered by vandalism and anti-social behaviour, and a new bar is not without teething troubles. However the Merkinch Arm's own close circuit cameras installed in the bar and the surrounding area go a long way to alleviating the problems on that corner.

(So if you can't remember how you got home, come in the next day and they'll show you!)

The Merkinch Arms is everything that a local should be, once they know your face they'll know what you're usual is and even tell you how your horse did. As well as the usual draft beers they have a fine selection of bottled beers and hope to start doing food (soup, toasties, etc.) shortly. So the next time you're passing, pop in and get the crack, even if it's only to read up on Merkinch's colourful history.