Published 8th May 2025, 06:00 BST

“There is nothing which has yet been contrived by man [or woman, we imagine], by which so much happiness is produced as by a good tavern.” So said the late, great literary giant Samuel Johnson, according to James Boswell’s biography, and who are we to argue? The condition of being entirely without a pub is, therefore, one that we should surely all abhor.

This was the grim fate that had been facing the 200 inhabitants of the island of Rousay, Orkney, after The Taversoe struggled to find a new owner. However, Johnson’s ghost will be delighted to hear that – following a community buyout with the aid of a £268,000 award from the Scottish Land Fund – it has now been saved.

The view from the deck at The Taversoe on Rousay, Orkney | contributed

The new manager, Bill Brown, said it was not merely a pub but also a “hub” for the community and “community is something that is very close to my heart”. Asked whether it would make a profit, he was sanguine: “Monetarily, probably not. Socially and personally, probably yes.”

So three cheers, or possibly more like 200, to that!

Tiny Scottish island spared fate that would have appalled Samuel Johnson

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