The Red Lion In Forres – Friendly With Great Food

The Red Lion, known lovingly by locals as The “Red Beastie”, is a fantastic little pub in Forres.

The Red Lion, Forres — The Red Beastie | Credit: The Red Lion

Located just off Forres High Street, it is an ideal central location for when you are exploring the area.

I recently went to the beastie for my dinner and found myself spoilt for choice for starters, mains and desserts. On my visit I opted to take advantage of the specials menu, treating myself to all three courses.

A Deliciously Scottish Dish To Start With

To start, I had the traditional haggis and clapshot with whisky cream. This deliciously Scottish dish melted in the mouth. The pub certainly did the classic combination justice!

The Red Lion, Forres, Haggis and Clapshot — Haggis and Clapshot

I then had grilled butterflied chicken, served with rice and veg and a tasty honey Dijon sauce. The chicken was cooked perfectly – moist and juicy. The sauce added a nice sweet touch that brilliantly complimented the rest of the dish.

Oreo, You’re So Good…

For my final and favourite course (dessert!) I had a fantastically sweet home-made Oreo cheesecake. It was the perfect combination of a crumbly biscuit base, with a rich, creamy top half. The chunks of Oreo mixed with the soft texture added a superb extra crunch that took the dessert to the next level. I would definitely recommend you give it a go if it is on the menu when you visit. Photo’s thanks to The Red Lion.

Cosy Setup
Friendly Staff
Live Music
Traditional Atmosphere

Unfortunately, on this occasion I was driving so I didn’t get to put the bar to the test. However, The Red Lion bar serves everything – from cask ales and premium lagers to wine or whisky. It is definitely the spot to unwind and relax with a drink in Forres.

The Red Lion, Highly Recommended

The staff were all very friendly and the service was excellent. You are never left waiting to be served or dying of thirst waiting on a drink!

I would recommend the Red Beastie to anyone looking to relax and enjoy some good, hearty food after a long day.

The pub is a 15 minute drive from Carden Cottages and is within walking distance from some historic sites in Forres, such as Sueno’s Stone and Nelson’s Tower.