The pub that changed me: It taught me not to be obnoxious'

"This is said to be one of Scotland's most haunted pubs, but for me it's haunted with happy memories, the ghosts of hazy nights out, the spectre of my younger self, and of course the cantankerous clergyman who stalks its walls from beyond the grave. Sitting at the foot of Stirling's old town, cosily sandwiched between larger buildings, Nicky-Tams has been a tavern of some sort since 1718."

"The atmosphere was far closer to a dive bar than a folksy tourist trap. But Stirling is too small a city for a venue to cater exclusively to any one type of person, and the clientele is still, as it was then, a merry blend of students, tourists and locals of all ages who often end up chatting to one another before the night is over."

Nicky-Tams sits at the foot of Stirling's old town and has operated as a tavern since 1718. The building's cobbled floors, mullioned windows and ancient crest suggest a kitschy historic attraction, but the atmosphere is alternative rather than touristy. Regulars in the late 00s experienced heavy metal, punk and emo nights, vintage records on the walls, and tattooed bar staff. The clientele blends students, tourists and locals of all ages who often converse together. The pub is reputedly haunted, including a cantankerous clergyman ghost, but it is primarily associated with warm, formative memories. Early visits served as a coming-of-age education in social behavior and courtesy.

Read at www.theguardian.com