On Friday 16th of November, this year, my grandad sadly died at the age of 87. Although he’d spent the majority of his life a Skipton man, for the past two years he’d lived in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, almost 200 miles north from the place he called ‘home’.
The reason for this move hadn’t been from choice. After living independently until his 85th year, it became clear his mind was declining in such a way that meant he needed a little help to get him safely through the day. For this reason, in the Autumn of 2016, he made an incredibly brave leap, uprooted his life, and headed towards the Lowlands to firmly cement himself into the affectionate care of his son – my father.
My Grandad was a kind, straight-talking, considerate type of man who, when my parents moved to Scotland, a decade and a half ago, became a hero to me – his recently graduated and somewhat clueless granddaughter. My life would’ve taken a very different turn if he hadn’t been there to watch over me during particularly difficult periods of my burgeoning adulthood, so it will be of no surprise to learn his death affected me very deeply.
His funeral was held in Ayr – a large town north of The Galloway Hills, on the west coast of Ayrshire. It was around an hour’s drive from my dad’s house to the crematorium, which meant attention turned to Ayr itself when deciding on a location for the wake.
I’d prepared myself for this.
Despite being one of the most creative people I know, my father – a writer, musician and artist – is, surprisingly, not one to stand on ceremony. The funeral itself had been private, so the crowd of people we carried with us was not a difficult one to manage. When I heard the phrase, “We’ll just find somewhere that seems nice to have a drink,” I quickly whipped out my phone and typed in directions for “The Tree House“.
Having been one in a million, it didn’t seem right to hold my grandad’s wake somewhere ten a penny. Predicting my dad’s default setting of regimented disregard for suitable post-funeral atmosphere, I’d quickly Googled ‘interesting bars in central Ayr’ a few nights previously. The bar that most caught my attention from the reviews I found there was, The Tree House – a veritable feast of character and colour… the perfect antidote to a day besmeared by gloom.
A popular tourist spot, Ayr is considerably bustling in terms of retail, compared to many South Western Scottish towns which, although packed with their own charms and attractions, don’t quite house the same extent of choice in terms of cosmopolitan entertainment. That’s why it was less of a surprise to me I’d found a bar there that would’ve been right at home in Leeds or Manchester, not a seaside town in South Scotland.
The Tree House stands out for many reasons. Firstly, the menus cater for a variety of culinary tastes, such as fish and chips, seafood platters, cottage pie, steak, tofu, chicken breast, pork fillet, noodle soup, burgers, flatbreads, curry, lasagne, nachos and pasta – amongst others! Food is served from 9am to 10pm (breakfast until noon) with vegetarian options available, and, from what I could see, a handful of vegan selections. Desserts include luxury ice cream, fudge cake, mini mess desserts, depending on which menu you prefer – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, House Select or House Signature. There’s a decidedly Asian feel about the cuisine on offer at The Tree House, and it’s clear someone’s gone to a lot of effort to make it as exciting, varied and inclusive as possible.
Part of the Ayrshire-based Buzzworks Holdings – an outfit which prides itself on providing a little more than just the average, with each of its venues’ offerings – The Tree House is one of around ten stylish and sumptuously decorated hideaways across Scotland. My dad’s party and I were only staying for drinks so, after a tour of the restaurant area, we were helpfully directed towards the bar – officially ‘T-Bar‘ – for drinks, tears and laughter, as well as a dose of something resembling death metal shouting at us through the speakers. Noticing, however, that each member of our gathering was wearing black, the music was very considerately toned down to a visual display of past band performances, playing from a small flat screen in the corner, beside a vision in pink neon which served as a modest stage.
Where the restaurant area exudes a quiet, mellow vibe, T-Bar is a place for a more jovial atmosphere. From here, you can order pizza, spirits – the wet kind, of course – cocktails, gin, cider and beer (bottled and draught), so it was with something pink and gin-tasting I sat gratefully down, beneath a ceiling of warm, wicker lamp-shaded glow. A bright and breezy length of room, with hints of subtle green light emanating from the bar area, and a line of tall, streamline plants lining the windowsills above small, sanded wooden tables, T-Bar is the perfect backdrop for winding down with a positive air on an emotionally draining, wet and windy day. The barman who’d served us single-handedly, was quick and accommodating to tend to our needs, but, after directing me to the ladies’, I couldn’t resist taking a detour and another peek at the jewel in The Tree House’s crown – the beautifully adorned restaurant area.
Evidently, this is where the real magic happens. As I gazed with wonder at my surroundings, trying not to draw attention to myself, I was reminded of a scene from The Hobbit, specifically the one where, in Peter Jackson’s, The Desolation of Smaug, the viewer encounters Lothlórien – kingdom of the Wood Elves. Sporadically placed across the ceilings, are softly illuminated hanging bird cages, trailing waterfalls of foliage, complimenting the green hue of pale light blushing from behind the bar. Potted plants and bare brick walls adorned with gold, sunburst mirrors create a honeyed radiance, and give the impression of basking in a wooded glen at sunset. The restaurant is spacious, with a wealth of tables to choose from, though it did not appear overcrowded or busy. For those requiring more intimacy, a handful of booths ensconced a little distance away from the main bustle of the eatery are provided, beside a snuggly situated and gorgeously bedecked dining room available for private hire.
‘Life, light and cocktails’ was the strapline used when I first advertised this establishment via my personal Instagram account, and it still rings true today. Whatever light I’ve had in my life I owe to the unwavering dedication my grandad employed in keeping his only grandchild happy, safe and provided for. He didn’t like cocktails and would’ve quite possibly turned his nose up at the unnecessary frivolity of what makes The Tree House so magnetising, but it is because of him I am able to visit such places and enjoy them to the full. The memory of his funeral will always be a devastating one I know time will never heal, no matter how many unseen years spread into the future. Yet, I’ll forever be thankful for the small shot of fantasy that helped me through the darkest reality of an otherwise sunless day.
THE TREE HOUSE PRICES (May vary – please visit website for updated offers.)
Breakfast: £1.95-£7.95Lunch: £2.95-£24.95
Dinner: £2.95-£24.95
House Select: Private Dining Set Menu (£16.95 per person.)
House Signature: Private Dining Set Menu (£28.95 per person.)
T-BAR PRICES (May vary – please visit website for updated offers.)
Pizzas: £5 – £8
Drinks: (Please visit website for latest drinks prices and offerings.)
A LIGHT THROUGH YONDER WINDOW 