UKC

Me and the girlfriend have our anniversary this weekend. The plan was to go out for a meal on Saturday night, probably to some overpriced restaurant in Glasgow that serve you three scallops for £15 and leaves you wanting a chippy afterwards.

I thought a better idea might be to make a day of it on Sunday; take a drive up north, maybe go for an easy walk or see some visitor attraction, then get lunch or dinner in a good restaurant or gastropub. It's the last bit I'm stuck on, as it's easy to find reviews on places in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Abderdenn and so on but not so much out in the styx. I've read in various broadsheets that there are old drovers inn's and so on that serve Michelin-aspirational food in spectacular settings, but can't recall the names. I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations or had heard of any? I'd be willing to drive for up to about 2 hours from Glasgow, west or east coast, doesn't matter.

The main thing is I'm talking good food cooked by a chef, not a microwaved shepherd's pie and chips (I would like to keep my testicles attached to my body...) This idea may get veto'd, but brownie points for trying are always good. Any recommendations gratefully received.

In reply to Taurig:


The Crannog at Fort William is quite nice. Not too expensive.

Pity the Ben Fong shut down - you don't get any more romantic than chips in bus shelter, in the rain.

In reply to Taurig:

http://www.ardanaiseig.com/index.php/dining

Very good set dinner menu, not sure if non-residents can dine though.

In reply to Taurig:

Russells in Spean Bridge is pretty good:

http://www.russellsrestaurant.co.uk/

There's an easy walk up by the river.

In reply to Taurig:

I've not been there for a few years, but the Creggans Inn at Strachur (on Loch Fyne) used to be a favourite of mine. Great bar food and the restaurant was exceptional. The Loch Fyne Oyster Bar isn't too far away, and Fyne Ales (Cairndow) is just along the road too - well worth a visit if you like your beer.

Hill-wise, it's handy for the Arrochar Alps.

If you fancy this idea, make sure to check that the Rest and Be Thankful road is open, as it's been closed a fair bit recently because of land slides.

In reply to Taurig:

The Cross, in Kingussie, is good. It's changed hands this year, but the new owners are trying to maintain standards. It was a bit fond of itself, but the food is good.
http://www.thecross.co.uk/

I'd also second the Crannog - it's really nice.

In reply to Taurig:

This'll be a bit out of your way, but does look lovely, maybe more of a long weekend destination:
http://www.doune-knoydart.co.uk/food

The greasy spoon trucker's caff on the southern edge of Newtonmore is cheap and good quality, and last time I was there they had Cairngorm Tradewinds on tap. Fantastic! Perhaps your girlfriend would disagree...

In reply to Taurig: How fast is your car? More than 2 hours but a sublime experience is the Three Chimneys on Skye. The Stein Inn, also on Skye, is very good too and you can stay there which means you can have a shandy or two as well!

In reply to ring ouzel:

The Three Chimneys is a good hour from Kyleakin...

In reply to Taurig:

The Lime Tree in Fort William has been good whenever I've been there:
http://www.limetreefortwilliam.co.uk/relaxed-dining-at-this-fort-william-re...

In reply to Taurig:

It not the Highlands but not central belt either, but the Kirkstyle Inn at Dunning, just short of Perth is really good. You'll need to book though.

Cheers, David

In reply to Taurig:

A couple of other options that aren't quite in the Highlands but are a bit closer to home are the Barley Bree in Muthill and Yann's, in Crieff. You could walk up Ben Vorlich and Stuc a'Chroinn, or Ben Chonzie, or even Auchnafree Hill, and then go on to Delivino in Crieff. for ace cake, and then on to one of the restaurants. Or just head to The Lounge in Crieff after your walk and have a very chilled evening.

In reply to ring ouzel:

I was going to suggest the Applecross Inn until I noticed the 2 hour restriction.

The seafood place on the north side of Loch Leven is meant to be very good...

In reply to Taurig: If you want a trip to Skye try the 3 Chimneys near Dunvegan World renouned. But for good value and lovely food you cant beat The School House in Dunvegan.

These are all great suggestions folks, much appreciated. Those closer to home, Perth way would be absoloutely fine as well, doesn't need to be in the middle of Torridon or anything, just out of the city.

Making me hungry checking out these menus. Not spoken to the missus about it yet however, fingers crossed she fancies it!

In reply to Taurig: If you like seafood I've found the http://www.lochlevenseafoodcafe.co.uk to be even better than the Crannog.

In reply to Taurig: read this thread mainly cos i m feeling really hungry. it doesnt really help , but on saturday night i ate at mother india cafe in glasgow and it was excellent. i handnt been for a couple of years cos its a bit far but if i lived in or near glasgow i wouldnt go anywhere else. i supposed if i went every week it wouldnt be a treat.

In reply to tony: Yup, Yann's in Crieff would get my shout - lovely food, lovely people. He used to be the group chef for the Hotel du Vin if I remember from chatting with him. The food's great and their B&B is excellent - well worth a stay and make a night of it.

In reply to Taurig:
I had a great dinner at the Crianlarich Hotel last month which is less than 2 hours away from you.
Let us know where you end up because I want to eat my way around Scotland ! It's been great reading people's recommendations ......

In reply to Taurig: I took the wife to the Invergarry Hotel for her birthday earlier in the year, great food, lovely atmosphere.

http://www.invergarryhotel.co.uk/html/brasserie.html

In reply to tspoon1981: My daughter stood up in front of her Highland rural school assembly and said she was going to turn her treehouse into a first class restaurant!
So watch this space.