An East Ayrshire pub scooped a coveted gong last night.
The Kings Arms in Fenwick landed DRAM Magazine's Sunday Mail Scottish pub of the year award.
The boozer was the only Ayrshire pub in the running – and the award is even sweeter for owners Mikey Lennon and Gareth Kelly as they got the keys just 18 days before lockdown saw the shutters pulled down.
However, they have adapted to every restriction change and hurdle put in their way and last night reaped the reward.
Owner Mikey told Ayrshire Live: “We are all absolutely delighted; mainly due to the fact we have been closed more than we’ve been open.
“Just to get that accolade is brilliant. We are buzzing about it.
“All pubs are eligible to enter, it’s open to the public and we are delighted people have thought about us."
Mikey added: “Our story is kind of unique as many people know.
“We got the place 18 days before lockdown and this is just a nice nod to us for what we’ve done through the lockdown.
“We have adapted and changed and we have been resilient with everything that’s happened.
“Where the pub is, we have been able to utilise our beer garden and for a while we used a brunch menu when we could only open without alcohol.
“Then punters were slowly able to trickle back in and sample Stefan’s [head chef] food which is outstanding.
“I think most of it goes to how we’ve turned the pub around from being a local village pub into a destination pub which people want to come and eat in.
“To get the recognition from our customers is fantastic because it’s all down to them."
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