Up The Cans (and Kegs)
Forres Mechanics 0 v Nairn County 5
North Of Scotland Cup, Quarter Final
Wednesday 13 September 2023
Ground Tick #449
Mosset Park, home of The Mighty Cans, in the pissing rain, was my 449th ground tick. A very simple (but hope the train back turns up) train hop from our Inverness base.
Both of these teams play in The Highland League. You can count that as Step 5 in Scotland (with the Scottish Premiership as Step 1). The level above is Scottish League Two. The Highland League spans from Brechin City in the South, to Wick Academy in the North.
A lovely game. In front of a partisan crowd. Particularly from near neighbours Nairn County. It'll sound patronising, but the standard seemed very good to me. Because it was a cup game, I can't really comment on whether either team fielded understrength. But, Nairn were worthy winners on the night. They had a great collection of near post headers from corners. Those accounted for the opener on 28 (Callum MacLean) and the third on 57 (Ciaran Young). The second had come from Andrew MacLeod's cross shot in off the post on 35.
The Cans lost Thomas Brady to a straight red for a reckless, high tackle on 61. And, there was no way back for them. Nairn goals on 72 and 86 sent us scurrying to the station to catch that train.
I've been to Inverness before. Seen The Blades play there in fact. It is a gateway town to much of the Highlands and Islands. And, it attracts tourists in its own right. Natch, it has tourism infrastructure. Hotels, restaurants, historic trains, etc. Indeed, we caught the overnight Caledonian Sleeper down to Euston for the Spurs match.
I'm labouring that tourism schtick. Because the main hit bar has gone all in. When you order your pint of Hazy Pale and two thirds of keg Stout, they present you with the credit card machine which invites three levels of TIP. And, of course, NO TIP. They are trying to trap overseas tourists into believing we have a tip culture in the UK.
The Carrier Bag Firm have a tried and trusted way of dealing with this bollocks. We. Do. Nothing. That's a bit unfair on the Staff. Who are a) doing their best b) doing what they're told. But c) being paid a living wage I'd bet. So no point in verbalising.
Once they've told you a few times that you need to choose your tip level. And once you've held onto your card. And stared at the Beer Board a bit. They'll take the machine back. And do whatevs.
"Do I tap here? Has that gone through? Thanks."
Black Isle Bar & Rooms
68 Church St, Inverness IV1 1EN
A brewery outlet right in the centre of the Inverness action. They had an admirable fifteen of their own on Keg. Two of their own on Cask. And five guest keg.
We harvested;
Black Isle Brewery on Keg;
Goldfinch, Session IPA at 3.5%
Treehouse Pale Ale at 4.5%
Spider Monkey, IPA at 5.2%
Rhode Runner, Hazy Pale at 5.3%
But, I'm going to single out;
Rolling Palace VII - Callista, IPA on Keg at 6%
The seventh iteration of this IPA series. Same, base beer. And then dry hopped with some mad shit. In this case, Callista. Which is in itself a hybrid of Hallertau Tradition and Huell.
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