The Carrick Stone Visited (Closed)

Photos

Local Area

Visited as part a walked round Kildrum scheme Cumbernauld then through Glencryan Woodlands and Fannyside Loch with an old work colleague (Les). 22,000 steps on a beautiful sunny day. Cumbernauld is a post-war new town but sits on much older ground. The Romans built the Antonine Wall nearby and had a fort at Westerwood (archaeologists found a pit of severed hands – charming). The suburb of Carrickstone is named after the ancient standing stone (thought to be a Roman altar, ~2,000 years old). Local tradition says Robert the Bruce planted his standard here before Bannockburn. Later history involves the Comyns, Bruce, and the Flemings. Strong Roman + medieval Bruce folklore in the area. Geography: North Lanarkshire, M80 corridor, planned new-town layout with ancient monuments mixed in.

The Pub

This Wetherspoons closed permanently on 4 January 2026. Named after the Carrick Stone (Roman altar / Bruce standard site). Stood at 52 Teviot Walk, Cumbernauld G67 1NG, in a former Co-op store (origins 1903, later domed landmark). JD Wetherspoon refurbished it in 2012 into a two-level pub. Featured bull motifs from the old district council coat of arms. Staff meh...

Football Team

Clyde FC (“the Bully Wee”) played at Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld for nearly 30 years (1994–2022) – nice link to the bull decor in the pub! Local grassroots side Cumbernauld Colts are based at Broadwood and provide community football pathways.

Travel

Busses there: First Glasgow 2, Citylink M8 Busses back: Stagecoach X24A, First 77

Beers

Belhaven 80 shilling. £1.79 (score 2/5). Belhaven Brewery is officially Scotland's oldest surviving regional brewery. Established in 1719 in Dunbar, East Lothian it's nestled in the local barley fields along the coast, with its name literally translating to "Beautiful Harbour". Commercial brewing on the Dunbar site stretches back to 1200s Benedictine monks, though the official brewery business was formalized in 1719. While still brewed in Dunbar using local East Lothian water and yeast, Belhaven was acquired in 2005 by English brewery Greene King. Belhaven’s 80 Shilling (affectionately called "80 Bob") is one of Scotland's most traditional flagship heavy ales. In Scottish brewing history, the "Shilling" (/-) system was used to categorize beer strength based on the historic tax or invoice price per barrel. Historically, 60/- was light, 70/- was heavy, and 80/- was "export" or premium strength. 80 Bob is a traditional Scottish Heavy / Amber Ale (3.9% ABV). Tasting Notes; pours a rich copper-brown with a light bronze head. Dominated by warm, toasted malt, caramel, and "Horlicks" maltiness, balanced by faint hints of orange peel and soft dried fruit. Food Pairings; the rich, caramel-malt profile of 80 Shilling makes it a natural match for hearty pub foods like Sausage & Mash, Venison or Beef Stew and Aged Cheddar. Famous for its iconic red-brick chimney, Belhaven brews classic cask ales like Belhaven Best (a staple in Scottish pubs), Belhaven Black Stout, and modern craft offerings like Twisted Thistle IPA.