The Caledonia Hotel is Aberdare’s favourite watering hole – but many locals may not know the origins of its name.
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‘Caledonia’ was the name the Romans gave to Scotland.
So when Vincent Street’s own Hairy Scotsman, Steff Gilmartin, was looking for new premises for his barber shop, the Caledonia was the perfect fit.
Steff’s favourite Scottish drinking song is even called Caledonia – and he’s planning to get the chorus of the Dougie McLean song printed out on the walls of his shop’s new home.
The chorus goes: Let me tell you that I love you and I think about you all the time. Caledonia is calling and I’m going home!
“Being the Hairy Scotsman, I couldn’t resist moving here,” he said.
Before moving to Australia 15 years ago, Steff lived near Glasgow, and coincidentally, passed through Cessnock train station every day on his way to work.
Having lived in Cessnock, Australia, for five years now, he recognises many Scottish influences in place names around the Hunter Valley.
Steff loves living in Cessnock and was drawn to the Caledonia Hotel not just by its name, but also the friendly owners and staff.
He’s looking forward to making the ‘Callie’ the Hairy Scotsman’s permanent home; catching up with all of his customers and meeting new ones.
Along with local barber Tim Reeks (Tim the Barber), Steff will be donating his services for the Beards for Hope ‘Crumb Catchers’ shave party at the Caledonia on September 1.
He said it’s a great cause, having heard many stories of infant and pregnancy loss from clients in his 32 years as a barber.
The Hairy Scotsman is open weekdays and Saturday mornings at the Caledonia Hotel on Aberdare Road.
