Fantastic foodie experiences up and down the country
There’s a lot more to Scottish food than haggis, neeps and tatties — from world class seafood to Aberdeen Angus beef, there’s variety and quality for every palate. Here's a few foodie stops you can make when taking the Scottish Grand Tour.
Kinloch Lodge, Isle of Skye
If you want to combine the relaxed comfort of Highland hospitality with award-winning food, you won’t be disappointed with Kinloch Lodge.
The food is unforgettable at any time of day: breakfast, lunch, dinner, or for a traditional Highland afternoon tea in the drawing room. The menu showcases the very best local ingredients — meat and game, fish and shellfish, vegetables and herbs.
If you’re still there for breakfast next morning, try the oatmeal porridge infused with cinnamon and nutmeg – a delicious modern take on a Scottish classic.
You can reach Armadale by ferry from Mallaig. The ferry isn't included in the travel pass so you would need to book your ferry ticket separately through calmac.co.uk. The restaurant is in the south of the Isle of Skye, roughly halfway between Armadale and Kyle of Lochalsh.
Plockton Shores, Plockton
Situated in one of Scotland’s most picturesque coastal towns, The Shores lies close to the centre of the natural bay formed by Loch Carron.
Inside you’ll find a friendly atmosphere, a touch of Highland hospitality and a taste of the local produce. Wherever possible, it uses the finest local ingredients — including prawns and lobster caught in the loch that day.
Bag a window seat and you can look out on spectacular views across the bay. From here, you can spot sailing boats, wildlife, a castle and even the occasional palm tree!
Plockton is just 13 minutes on the train from Kyle of Lochalsh. Or if travelling from Inverness the journey time is a little under two and a half hours.
Oban Seafood Hut, Oban
OK, this one doesn’t look like a restaurant because it’s, well, a hut. But don’t let that put you off. When renowned food critic Jay Rayner says, “The Seafood Hut is perfect” you get the idea that something special is going on here.
For seafood fans this place is simply nirvana. Just don’t expect the refinements you get in other restaurants, like chairs, or metal cutlery. There’s a communal table beside the Hut, but this place is really about standing-up, and eating with plastic cutlery or your fingers.
The food is as fresh as it gets, cooked simply in butter and garlic. We’re talking crab, lobster, langoustines, scallops, mussels and oysters. Fancy a simple prawn sandwich? They do that too.
Scotland’s food culture is as varied as the land itself and this shows in our fantastic restaurants. Unlock some of the finest examples of Scotland's larder on the Scottish Grand Tour, just £89 for four days of unlimited travel.
Buy online or from any ScotRail staffed station.