Donate £1 here

The Islay Inn: Bringing Glasgow’s West End Together

Introduction

The Islay Inn in Glasgow has been crowned Scotland's Community Support Hero at the PubAid Community Pub Hero Awards 2026, presented at a House of Commons reception on 8 September. In two years, manager Frank Gilsenan and his team have made the Argyle Street pub a place where everyone feels they belong.

What they did

The team has made inclusivity central to how the pub is run, so that everyone feels comfortable. They host free live music, whisky tastings, Gaelic evenings and community events.

When an elderly regular who lives across the road was recovering at home, staff took him meals every day and checked in on him. He’s now a guest of honour at every event.

The pub’s Glen Campbell Gaelic Charity Night raised funds for Scottish hospitals. It brought together distilleries, artists, the Glasgow Gaelic Choir and pupils from the local Gaelic school, who opened the evening. The pub also supported Yorkhill Housing Association’s gala day in Overnewton Park, with proceeds going to local causes.

The community reaction

One long-standing regular calls it “the best version the pub has ever been”. A visitor from England said it reminded her of her village local “because everybody has to drink in it.”

Impact

Strangers become friends, tourists chat with locals, and different generations share tables. Several staff have returned after travelling abroad because they wanted to come back to the team.

Summary

The Islay Inn shows that community isn’t an occasional event. It’s the way a pub is run every day.

About

The Islay Inn

The Islay Inn is a traditional pub on Argyle Street in Glasgow's West End, known for its whisky, live music and Gaelic evenings.
1256-1260 Argyle Street, Glasgow, G3 8TJ
Go to pub website

Local Constituency

Glasgow North

Local MP

Martin Rhodes
Go to local MP website
Follow us on social
© PubAid 2024. All rights reserved.

Competition Terms & Conditions