The Kirky Puffer

The Kirky Puffer is a pub in Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire, near Glasgow, Scotland, operated by the British pub company J D Wetherspoon plc. It is located at 1–11 Townhead, Kirkintilloch, Glasgow, G66 1NG, and is one of the many Wetherspoon outlets across the United Kingdom. The pub is named after the 'Kirky Puffers' — small steamships built in Kirkintilloch that plied up and down the Forth and Clyde Canal alongside the pub's site. Kirkintilloch was the only place in Scotland where ships were built inland, and a boat yard was established by Townhead Bridge in 1866 where canal barges and puffers were constructed. These small steamships were made famous by the books and TV programme featuring Para Handy and his puffer, the Vital Spark. As a Wetherspoon pub, The Kirky Puffer offers the chain's typical range of food and drinks, including real ales, guest beers, and value-priced meals. The pub participates in Wetherspoon's twice-yearly beer festivals, which feature up to 50 beers each, 10 of which are from overseas. It also offers seasonal menus such as the Christmas menu and a spritz cocktail range. Facilities include Wi-Fi, TV screens, room hire, baby change, and step-free access. Children under 18 are allowed on the premises between 8:00am and 9:00pm. Opening hours are Monday to Thursday and Sunday 8:00am to 12:00am, and Friday and Saturday 8:00am to 1:00am. The pub is part of J D Wetherspoon plc, a company founded by Tim Martin in 1979 with its first pub in Muswell Hill, north London. Wetherspoon has grown into a major UK pub chain, known for its conversion of large, often historic buildings into pubs, its focus on value, and its pioneering of non-smoking areas before the 2007 smoking ban. The company was floated on the Stock Exchange in 1992. The Kirky Puffer continues this tradition, serving the local community in Kirkintilloch.

The Kirky Puffer is a pub operated by J D Wetherspoon plc, located in Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire, near Glasgow. The pub's name derives from the 'Kirky Puffers', small steamships built in Kirkintilloch that sailed along the Forth and Clyde Canal, which runs alongside the pub's location. Kirkintilloch was the only place in Scotland where ships were built inland; a boat yard was established by Townhead Bridge in 1866, where canal barges and puffers were constructed. These vessels were made famous by the Para Handy stories and TV series, featuring the puffer Vital Spark. The pub itself is part of the J D Wetherspoon chain, which was founded by Tim Martin in 1979 with the opening of the first pub in Colney Hatch Lane, Muswell Hill, north London, on 9 December. Initially called Martin's Free House, it was renamed Wetherspoons in early 1980. The company expanded across the UK, pioneering non-smoking areas in 1991 and hosting its first real-ale festival in 1990. It was floated on the Stock Exchange in 1992 as J D Wetherspoon plc. The Kirky Puffer continues this heritage, serving the Kirkintilloch community with Wetherspoon's signature value offer and participating in company-wide events such as beer festivals and seasonal menus.

• 1992

  Company floated on the Stock Exchange as J D Wetherspoon plc.

• 1992

  First airport pubs open at Heathrow Airport, Terminal 4.

• 1991

  The Tally Ho opens with a dedicated non-smoking bar upstairs.

• 1990

  First real-ale festival hosted by Wetherspoon pubs.

• 1979

  First Wetherspoon pub opens in Muswell Hill, north London, on 9 December.

Value-focused community pub within the J D Wetherspoon chain, offering a wide range of food and drinks in a historic building.

• Real ales

• Guest beers

• Craft cans

• Pub food

• Spritz cocktails

1. 1The Kirky Puffer - J D Wetherspoonjdwetherspoon.com
2. 2History - J D Wetherspoonjdwetherspoon.com
3. 3The Kirky Puffer - J D Wetherspoonjdwetherspoon.com
4. 4About us - J D Wetherspoonjdwetherspoon.com
5. 5The Kirky Pufferwikidata.org