Scotsman`s Pack

Emily Gadd slows things down and enjoys a relaxing trip to a country pub.

We live in a world of speed and convenience – fast food, rushed service, wipe-clean tables, electronic payment, out the door.
Call me old-fashioned, but sometimes it’s nice to slow things down and watch the world go by.
The Scotsman’s Pack in Hathersage is one local gem that hasn’t succumbed to life in the fast lane, along with the laminated menus, ear-splitting music and meal deals found in ersatz gastro-pubs.
Rather, it has stayed true to its relaxed country roots with a cosy interior, fine ale and hearty, traditional food, as my companion and I discovered when we dined there.
The sunny spell had broken on the evening of our visit, replaced by good old British drizzle, but it served only to emphasise the cosy warmth of The Scotsman’s Pack. There’s no finer feeling than watching raindrops trickle down the windowpanes from the convivial atmosphere of a pub – except, perhaps, feeling hungry when you know a veritable feast is headed your way.
The Scotsman’s Pack boasts an extensive menu of freshly-prepared meaty mains, fish dishes, pot meals, vegetarian options and salads, plus a blackboard listing a tantalising array of daily specials.
After ordering our starters – mini beefburgers wrapped in pancetta with Roquefort cheese for my dining partner; scallops with chorizo and black pudding for me – we settled back to take in the pub’s atmosphere.
The present Scotsman’s Pack dates from 1900 and is steeped in history – it was a regular calling place for the packmen who travelled the area, touting their wares and bearing news.
Despite the passage of time, it’s still a favourite meeting spot. Managers Steven and Susan warmly welcome tourists, Sheffield residents and Hathersage locals; strangers who converse comfortably together. It is all most agreeable, especially when observed over a glass of Shiraz.
Our starters soon arrived and were as delicious as they sounded. The Roquefort melted beautifully over the beefburgers, its pungent taste and creamy texture perfectly offsetting the salty pancetta. Meanwhile, my delicious scallops, chorizo and black pudding, which arrived presented in a neat stack, were quickly annihilated by my eager knife and fork.
I had been informed that I had to try the Scotsman’s famous steak and ale pie, making my main course an easy choice. My partner, on the other hand, agonised over steak, rabbit casserole and braised lamb shank before settling on the latter.
My pie certainly lived up to its reputation – chunks of steak packed into a shortcrust pastry, surrounded by lashings of thick, flavoursome gravy. I had to laugh at my partner, who made appreciative noises throughout the meal and polished off every last bite of tender, minted lamb. Both meals were served with a mountain of fresh vegetables – if you have a big appetite you’ll be in seventh heaven at this establishment.
We left enough room for profiteroles and traditional cheese and biscuits from the extensive and varied dessert board, along with piping hot coffee – a wonderful end to our meal.
I’m not a gambling girl, but I’d put good money on this local treasure doing a roaring trade another hundred years down the line.

Scotsman’s Pack
School Lane, Hathersage
Hope Valley, Derbyshire, S32 1BZ
Tel: 01433 650253
www.scotsmanspack.com