Licensee of the pub, Nomie Braes, collected the award at a glitzy event in Glasgow's Hilton Hotel last week after his pub was nominated anonymously by a customer.

Judges were struck by the involvement the pub has with the community, saying they were impressed by the collection of sports teams and found the programme of events and activities remarkable.

To win the award, Nomie had to demonstrate his pub offered a variety of entertainment and events, is loyal to its customers and offers a good range of community based services coupled with good customer relations.

Nomie, who collected the award from Martin Docherty of sponsors Whyte & Mackay and television presenter Kirsty Gallacher, more than enjoyed the evening.

He said: "It was a really good night and I was surprised. Kirsty Gallacher was reading out the nominations and then announced the winner.

"I went up to collect the award from her and I didn't get the chance to say anything. It was a first-class set up and I'm really delighted to have won."

Nomie still doesn't know who nominated him for the award, but it is likely they would be the recipient of a free drink.

The Black Abbot runs several men's and women's teams across several different sports, including football, pool, dominoes and darts.

The lounge of the pub has been used by community councils and for charity fundraisers, and Nomie regularly organises fundraising events for local charities.

The pub also played a big part in the success of the first Montrose Music Festival and helped ensure it will be repeated.

The SLTA awards cover the whole of Scotland and Patrick Duffy, managing editor of the Scottish Licensed Trade News, said the quality of the nominees this year was the best it had ever been.