Mixed message on measures for Scots

Pubs in Scotland are reeling after being fined for selling short measures ­ and then being slammed by trading standards officers for pouring too much.

Two Edinburgh licensees face prosecution and fines of up to £5,000 after they were said to be selling short measures of whisky during this year¹s annual festival.

A third was sent a written warning after a random swoop by trading standards officers on 16 city bars. Just over 500 drinks were tested during the three-week arts spectacular in August.

Last week, however, a Scottish trading standards investigation found 44 per cent of drinks sold in pubs and clubs were being sold above the standard measure ­ fuelling concerns about binge-drinking (see box).

Of the two premises reported selling short measures during the festival, one, a temporary bar operating under an occasional licence, was said to have sold whisky on average 20.2 per cent per cent under measure, while the other was ­ on average ­ said to be 14.8 per cent per cent short.

Scottish Licensed Trade Association chief executive Paul Waterson said the results were ³disappointing², and added: ³I¹m concerned about temporary bars ­ during the festival some are simply run by amateurs in places like church halls, which is not good enough.

³Nevertheless, this is a training issue, not a swindling one ­ and things are improving.² Council environment leader Robert Aldridge told The Publican: ³Any premises serving short measures will be revisited. Our next project will be conducted over the festive period.²