Moray pub The Stuart Arms revived and reimagined as The Stillman Bar and Restaurant after Dufftown woman ‘takes the plunge’ five years on from business’ closure
After sitting empty and in a state of disuse for more than half a decade, a town’s much-loved pub is back thanks to one woman’s unexpected leap of faith.
The Stuart Arms in Dufftown was closed by its previous owners in February 2020 but has now been revived and reimagined as The Stillman Bar and Restaurant by Fiona Brown.
Ms Brown, a former nanny, returned to her hometown in 2017 after 25 years of working around the world.
She moved back to Dufftown shortly after the birth of her son Magnus and had been working for an American family in the area until very recently.
However, with that role close to coming to an end, Ms Brown decided to “take the plunge” and take her career in an entirely different direction.
“I was just walking past the back of the pub one day and I saw the building and I just thought I should put a bit in at auction,” Ms Brown said.
“It was a bit of a moment of madness but I’ve ended up with a pub.”
The spontaneous decision quickly turned into a full-time project after her offer was accepted in December 2024.
Months of hard work has followed: rebuilding, modernising and redesigning a space that had deteriorated over the years following its closure in 2020.
“We’ve tried to do things properly,” Ms Brown said.
“Since everything had to be ripped out we thought it was the perfect chance to modernise and start fresh.”
That fresh start is also reflected in the pub’s new name - The Stillman - which is not only a nod to the town’s rich whisky making heritage but also Fiona’s own family.
“My dad used to work in the stills and the name just seemed to fit,” she said.
“It’s local, it’s familiar and it’s something new.”
The pub officially opened its doors on May 31 after months of excitement and constant queries as to when Ms Brown would do so.
“There was a real buzz in the town,” she said.
“Every time I was outside the building someone would stop and ask when we were opening and things like that.
“I think it’s good news for Dufftown overall.”
There is more to come from the business with Ms Brown yet to open the restaurant side of it.
If all goes to plan she is hopeful of offering fresh, simple, locally-inspired food within the pub by the end of this month.
She said: “It won’t be anything too fancy. Just good pub food.”
Despite a steep learning curve, Ms Brown has been learning as she goes and has taken the challenge head-on.
“It’s been terrifying,” she added, “but the community has been brilliant and it feels like Dufftown is really bouncing back.
“It’s a good time for the town.”
