CAMRAA family-owned Scottish bar is in the running to be the best pub in the UK this year, it has been announced.
CAMRA, which runs the National Pub of the Year competition, has selected four finalists across the country after months of judging.
The final round of judging is now under way, with the winner to be revealed at the start of next year.
Beating thousands of entries, the pubs have been judged on their atmosphere, décor, welcome, service, inclusivity, overall impression and quality cask beer, real cider and perry.
Staggs, also known as the Volunteer Arms, in Musselburgh, is the only Scottish entry in this year’s shortlist.
Described as a “superb pub” run by the same family since 1858, it has a traditional bar and snug, wooden floors, wood panelling and mirrors from now closed local breweries.
The pub has an attractive Victorian-era gantry topped with old spirit cask barrels and a range of regularly changing cask beers and has won many awards.
The pub previously scooped CAMRA’s overall Pub of the Year in 1998 and reached the top four in 2018.
Staggs co-owner Katie McKenzie said: “Nigel, Hayley and I are absolutely delighted to be in the final four of CAMRA’s Pub of the Year competition.
“It is a testament to our hard-working staff, the breweries who supply us with fantastic beer and the community who drink and socialise with us.
“Staggs is a special place to many, and we are grateful to everyone who plays a part in making us a community and more than just a pub.”
Andrea Briers, CAMRA’s Pub of the Year coordinator, said: “I am delighted to announce who has reached the top pubs for 2025.
“It is always a hard-fought and close competition with judges having an incredibly difficult job whittling them down to just four.
“They are shining examples of what makes our pubs so incredibly special, vital to our communities and providing a wonderful welcome to all.
“I am very excited to see the outcome of the final round of judging and crowning our winner.”
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