A HELENSBURGH local has brought the pub back to his home by building a bar made entirely of bits and pieces of material leftover in the garage.

After lockdown halted Martin Harper’s usual work as a manufacturer of real antler sgian dubhs (traditional Highland knives), kiltpins and other Highland dress accessories, and with pubs and restaurants closed, he took it upon himself to build the little pub in his spare room.

Martin told the Advertiser: “I was initially concerned about the pandemic situation and my loss of earnings, as a manufacturer of traditional goods I not only supply to shops around Britain but to outlets in USA and Canada as well. Work ground to a halt overnight.

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“And with always having worked, and not being someone to sit around, building a bar gave me a focus away from all the news reports. It’s something I’ve always fancied, and I suppose every man wants a man cave.”

Not stopping there, Martin has submitted his home pub to Liberty Games’ UK’s Best Home Bar Competition, with home bar owners across the country vying to take home the prize of a year’s supply of beer.

“I submitted an entry this week, the closing date is the end of June.” Martin continued.

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“I had an empty whisky barrel in my garage for years and an old mirror, and just generally things that I had collected over many years - the kind of things that you think ‘one day will be useful’.”

As a member of the local Helensburgh Whisky Tasting Club, it won’t only be Martin and family who enjoy the spoils of a home pub when lockdown lifts.

“Unfortunately, there’s no draught line, but as I’m a member of the Helensburgh whisky group, it’ll have a good variety of malts," he continued.

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“As soon as my pool table arrives, I’m looking forward to some great nights with all my friends invited.”

And the name? Coronavirus related, of course.

“I initially thought ‘The Bothy’,” Martin said, “but as the pandemic continues, I may call it ‘Covid’, ‘Bar 19’ or ‘The Lockdown’.”

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