The 'cracking' traditional Scottish pub that serves ‘epic’ pies named whisky bar of the year
The Athletic Arms, known as Diggers thanks to its close proximity to two graveyards, beat The Belfry in Edinburgh; Mother Superior in Edinburgh and The Pot Still in Glasgow to take home the Benromach Whisky Bar of the Year award at this year's Bar and Pub Awards.
The bar has over 800 whiskies on offer, which Mr McGee said is “undoubtedly unmatched nationally.”
Mr McGhee has steadily increased the pub’s single malt collection from 250 over the past few years.
The Victorian pub, which has a wonderful traditional interior, is also known for its award winning ‘epic’ pies. At £3 per pie, flavours include steak, mince, chicken curry and macaroni and are loved by regulars are visitors.
Founded in 1897, the pub is known as The Diggers because it was a regular watering hole for workers in Dalry Cemetery after they came off shift.
Having run the Hearts pub for eight years, Hibs fan McGhee was awarded BT Sport Manager of the Month in January 2018.
The pub runs a permanent ‘whisky festival’ whereby it offers 42 whiskies at £2.50 for a 35ml measure.
What originated as a one-time festival offer to coincide with the Fringe proved so popular the pub retained it on a permanent basis with ever-changing whiskies on offer.
“The idea is to get people out of the city centre and give them a really good value drink,” Mr McGee said.
“Getting a taxi and drinking £2.50 whisky can be cheaper than staying in the city centre and going to the bar of an expensive hotel.”
The pub recently released a namesake single grain 14 year old North British Palo Cortado cask, bottled by Duncan Taylor, which visitors can try in the pub for £4.50 for 35ml or buy for £45 a bottle.
The Scottish Bar and Pub Awards took place at the end of August and are run by DRAM magazine.
Celebrating their 30th year, they’ve become the biggest night on the licensed trade calendar, where the country’s hospitality heroes get the recognition they deserve.
Susan Young, organiser and editor of industry publication DRAM, said: “It was fantastic to see so many deserving winners this year. These awards are a celebration of the people who make the Scottish hospitality industry the success it is, and this year’s entries were truly outstanding.
“Over the past 30 years, we’ve hosted some incredible events, and this was certainly one of the best. Every finalist deserves recognition for the exceptional venues they operate and should be immensely proud of their achievements. Congratulations to each and every one of them!”
The full list of the 2025 Bar and Pub Award winners are:
Lifetime Achievement Award
- Michele Pagliocca
Benromach Whisky Bar of the Year
- Athletic Arms - Edinburgh
Black Ivy and Montpeliers Rising Star Entrepreneurial Award
- Edward Fox - Encore Bars, Edinburgh
Brugal 1888 Cocktail Bar of the Year
- Hey Palu – Edinburgh
DRAM Dog Friendly Pub of the Year
- The Original Rosslyn Inn – Roslin
- Highly Commended – The Anchorage, Dunure
Campari Bar Apprentice 2025
- Aimee Ashworth – Dishoom, Glasgow (Formerly La Jupe, Helensburgh)
- Highly Commended - Cameron Evans, Lynnhurst Hotel
De Kuyper Cocktail Excellence in Neighbourhood Venues
- Draffens – Dundee
- Highly Commended – The Corner House, Kilwinning
Deanston Whisky Guru Rising Star
- Jane Ross – The Mother Superior, Edinburgh
Favela Independent Multiple Operator
- Winner - Buck’s Bar Group
- Highly Commended - Rocks Leisure Group
Fireball Best Late Night Venue
- Freddy’s - Edinburgh
Hospitality Health Employer of the Year
- Apex Hotels
- Highly Commended – Lisini Pub Co.
HOSPO Manager of the Year
- Gavin Ruthven - The Dome, Edinburgh
Hotel Scotland Hotel Bar of the Year
- Black Ivy – Edinburgh
Unsung Hero
- Fiona Joyce – Solway Lodge Hotel
Bar Personality of the Year
- Lorraine Ferguson – Billy Bridges/Southern Ayr
Inverarity Morton Best Drinks Offering
- The Criterion - St Andrews
SPBA Best Beer Garden
- Hugos Bar & Pavilion - Dalgety Bay
Jameson Best Irish Bar
- Kitty O’Shea’s – Glasgow
Jump Ship Brewing Gastro Pub of the Year
- The Birds and Bees – Stirling
- Highly Commended – Crown and Anchor Inn – Findhorn
DRAM Community Pub of the Year
- The Newton Bar - Millport
SBPA New Bar of the Year
- Berlinkys - Glasgow
Schweppes Mixologist of the Year
- Toby Peters - The Cocktail Geeks, Edinburgh
Sims Automatics Sports Bar of the Year
- Lochy's – Barrhead
Scottish Hospitality Group Special Recognition Award
- Donald MacLeod MBE
Inspirational Woman of the Year
- Alison Blair
Staropramen Award for Outstanding Quality
- The Phoenix - Dundee
Pub of the Year
- MacSorley's - Glasgow