Val Penny's Hotel and Restaurant Reviews The Traveller's Guide to Hotels and Restaurants around the World

I had had a busy, tiring day. I stopped into The Old Town Coffee House, Spittal Street, Stirling, Scotland. It is a friendly looking little cafe and I needed a bite to eat mid afternoon. I should have been warned when the table I sat at was grubby and the people at the next table were asking for their drinks (again) as I sat down.

When my food arrived the soup (described as lentil soup) was made with lentils but was spicy. I could not identify the spice. My toasted sandwich was cheese and tomato, not the tomato, mozzarella and basil that I had requested. In addition to this one of the slices of bread was the thick end slice (known in Scotland as the heely).

When I drew this to the attention of the staff, they shouted at me, ridiculed me and chased me from the restaurant. This was a thoroughly unpleasant experience. I will not be back.