CAMRA celebrates 50th anniversary of first branch in Scotland

Members of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) from all over Scotland attended a special event in Glasgow’s Bon Accord pub earlier this month to commemorate the founding of the first CAMRA Branch in Scotland in 1974.

Nationally, the Campaign for the Revitalisation of Ale, and what is now known as CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, was founded in 1971 by four real ale enthusiasts with the aim of saving traditional ales from disappearing due to the introduction of poor quality kegged beer by the “Big Six” breweries – Allied Breweries, Bass Charrington, Courage, Scottish & Newcastle, Watney Mann & Truman, and Whitbread.

During its first few years, CAMRA quickly grew its membership nationally and was visibly and vocally active in campaigning against the “Big Six”. Local branches were quickly popping up around the country.

In Scotland, a small group of Partick Thistle supporters had signed up as members of CAMRA, and regularly drank in the very small number of ale outlets available in Glasgow at the time.

In 1974, when Scottish & Newcastle removed cask ale from all the Glasgow outlets, action was needed. Letters to the Evening Times enquiring if there was still ‘beer life’ out there solicited a sole reply that the Golf Inn in Bishopton still offered real ale from Belhaven Brewery, and that CAMRA members would be welcomed for their activities.

An initial ‘Testing Support Meeting’ was held in September 1974 at which 25 people attended. The following ‘Inaugural Meeting’ on October 7, 1974 drew no fewer than 75 real ale partisans and Scotland’s first CAMRA branch was born.

Now 50 years later, there are 10 CAMRA branches throughout Scotland with a collective membership of over 4,200 people. CAMRA is considered one of the most successful consumer organisations across Europe, with a vision to have quality real ale, cider and perry and thriving pubs in every community.

Founding Member Hugh Stevenson (right) and CAMRA Scotland Director (left) cutting the 50th Anniversary Cake at the Bon Accord, Glasgow (Image: CAMRA)

Breweries are at an all-time high in Scotland with over 170 now in existence, although there are also high numbers of closures, with recent notable closures being Strathaven and others. 

Meanwhile four breweries - including Hidden Lane Organic Brewery in Glasgow - have been listed as having closed in three months.

The breweries, which were located across the country, closed amid “high taxation and rising raw ingredients costs squeezing the already fine margins”, trade organisation the Society of Independent Brewers said

Over 60 members managed to attend the special 50th anniversary event in the Bon Accord on Saturday, October 12, including two founder members, Hugh Stevenson and Mick Lee.

Other special events to commemorate the 50th Anniversary have been held throughout the year including hosting CAMRA’s national Members’ Weekend and AGM in Dundee; an all-branch social recognising Scotland’s three oldest surviving breweries – Belhaven, Broughton and Traquair House; and a series of Special Awards to CAMRA members who have been, or still are, active volunteers within the organisation.

In August, the 17 best pubs in the UK were named as part of CAMRA's prestigious Pub of the Year 2024 competition, with The Hillend Tavern near Dalgety Bay in Fife winning the regional category for Scotland.

A community focused village pub with cosy log fires, beer garden and a selection of real ales creating a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, The 'TAV' as it is known previously won Regional Pub of the Year 2023 and local Pub of the Year 2024.