A survey of traditional pubs, excluding clubs, family pubs with kids' play parks or theme pubs, shows a reduction of more than one third in some parts of Scotland.

However, in Glasgow, while some pubs have closed, the closure rate is far lower and, in some areas, new pubs have been opening.

Across the 73 Scottish Parliament constituencies, 71 showed a reduction in local pubs between 2007 and 2012 of 18%,with 703 pubs closing and only 55 new pubs opening.

Of the 55 pub openings in Scotland, 11 were in Glasgow accounting for 20% of all new pubs, whereas of the total closures of 703, Glasgow was home to just 57, accounting for 8% of the total.

However, the three areas where the drop was under 10%, were all in Glasgow; Cathcart, where numbers remained static at 13; Provan, which has lost just one pub in the last five years, and Southside, where eight out 57 bars closed.

In Kelvin, which covers the Partick area, the West End and city centre, there were 16 closures, but it also had the highest number of new bar openings in Scotland.

With five new pubs opening, the number may be small, but it is more than the whole of Aberdeen, Dundee, Inverness and Stirling combined.

Shettleston saw three new pubs open and 14 close, but the area has the highest concentration of pubs in the country, with 78 categorised as community pubs, the highest number for any urban constituency in Scotland

Shettleston, regularly listed as one of the poorest and most deprived constituencies in Scotland, is now home to more 'traditional' pubs than the whole of Dundee.

John Mason, the area's SNP MSP, said there were too many pubs in the area

He said: "Just like many folk, I enjoy a pint, and certainly think that it is probably better for folk to be drinking socially in pubs rather than alone at home.

"However, there comes a point when you've got to question the unsustainable development of our main streets in Glasgow.

"Increasingly I'm noticing streets across the East End simply turning into takeaways, pubs and bookies.

"All of these – in moderation – can be a good thing but the Government and the city council do need to look at a plan for developing high streets properly."

"In 2014 the Commonwealth Games will come to Glasgow.

"I don't want people from across the world to leave with the impression that the East End is nothing but a hotspot for drinking, gambling, and unhealthy eating."

The study, by international brewer Molson Coors, highlighted the community role of local pubs and called on Government to make it easier for pubs to stay in business.

They call for an end to the alcohol duty escalator, which has increased tax on beer by 38%, which, they say, adds up £18,000 per pub.

Phil Whitehead, managing director of Molson Coors Scotland, said: " Locals have long been a cornerstone of Scottish communities and provide people with a great place to meet and socialise.

"The public recognise the key role played by their local in the community.

"This support, and seeing more younger people and women visiting pubs, will help pull them through times that are challenging for all businesses."

Pub closures have hit rural areas hardest, with Inverness and Nairn the worst hit, losing 36% of its pubs; Perthshire South and Kinross lost 33%, with 20 closures; and Argyll and Bute lost 42 out of 136 pubs, a drop of 33%.

Justice Secretary, Kenny MacAskill, said he hoped local pubs would continue to play a part in community life.

He said: "From cosy pubs in rural communities to the bigger venues in our towns and cities, pubs are an important part of Scottish life.

"For hundreds of years, people have used them to enjoy a drink and a chat with their friends and we all want to see that continue."

NEW BARS ON OLD CITY BLOCKS

1 Dukes Bar 41 Old Dumbarton Road

This bar, which prides itself on being open and friendly for everyone, was totally refurbished and transformed from an 'old mans' style pub.

It offers live entertainment including; monthly stand-up, open mic nights, live music and quiz nights.

Owner Mark Brunjes said: "I think the design of the interior is important.

"The old design was old fashioned and had high windows and solid doors.

"I feel we now appeal to a broader range of people that better represent the community and all ages, including the student population in the West end."

2 Brewdog 1397 Argyle Street

Part of a chain of bars owned by Scotland's Brewdog brewery, the bar opened in July last year.

The space was previously a Scottish restaurant, called Blas.

Matt Corden, assistant manager, said: "A lot of businesses in this space have never lasted that long, which is a shame as it's a great location – directly opposite Kelvingrove Museum.

"We refurbished and put in glass to replace the exterior walls so more natural light comes in

"Things are picking up in the Finnieston area – it's becoming more trendy.

"The culture in Glasgow is different to other Scottish cities, it's based around music and art and that's what the West End in all is about."

3 Velvet Elvis 566 Dumbarton Road, Partick

Eddie Tobin, a director at Velvet Elvis and the next door Criterion Cafe, said: "People love to gossip and a community pub is the place to do it.

"The West End hasn't really been hit by the exonomic recession – there's available cash to go out and spend on a few drinks.

"It's an aspirational area and renowned for its learned people, who love to meet at the pub to talk."