EATING OUT.

Kingussie.

Kingussie has two top-notch restaurants for that special evening out.

The Auld Alliance*.A French restaurant where Lydie, from Avignon in Provence, prepares her first class 3-course, table d’hote menu using locally sourced produce where possible. The restaurant operates only by prior bookings, with at least 48 hours notice required as they use only fresh ingredients.

The Cross*: A rare treat lies in store for you in Katie & David’s caring hands. Each day’s menu reflects whatever fresh produce is available that day – their fixed-price dinner menu is £43.00. As with The Auld Alliance, reservations are essential.

Other tastes are also well catered for in the town;

The Silverfjord. Here, in the nearest hostelry to us, they offer a nice lunchtime menu, and in the evenings, a table d’hote or a la carte dinner menu served in their restaurant, or a good bar supper. The food is good, the prices very reasonable. What more could you ask for?

The Tipsy Laird. Recently taken over and spruced up, you’ll get a warm welcome, a good drink and some good value bar meals here too.

Happy Days Café: Great Fish & Chips, other things too, magic coffee and a really friendly welcome & super service. Eat in or Take Away. Need you ask for more?"

Newtonmore

Blasta*. A new venture, just opened in November 2007, about which we hear very good things. They offer a good choice on their menu and at very reasonable prices too.

The Glen Hotel: Chris & Kim provide a wide, good value, menu - choose your table in either their bar or their dining room & order everything at the bar. Don’t forget to look at the Special’s Board before you order!

The Braeriach Hotel: Del & Sam serve a nice pint and good, honest “Pub Grub” in a friendly atmosphere.

Kincraig.

The Ossian Hotel: Just 10 minutes north of Kingussie you’ll find the small village of Kincraig and the Ossian Hotel. Our friend Johnny, the Owner & Chef, has have been serving superb evening meals in a warm welcoming atmosphere for many years. Long may it continue.

Aviemore,

The Mountain Café: Owned and run by Kirsten Gilmour, an excellent chef, this is a really super place for a coffee, a snack, one of her sublime cakes or for lunch.

The Skiing Doo: New owners who have not changed the successful recipe of great atmosphere, great grub and great steaks!

The Happy Haggis: John, Elizabeth & Simon’s Fish and Chips and other things, all par excellence.

Royal Tandoori: Excellent Indian with a large menu of great dishes to suit all tastes. Please don’t confuse The Royal with the other Indian in the station square, where neither the food nor the service has had great reviews!

La Taverna: Nando’s 28th year and counting – a very popular Italian.

Cairngorm Hotel: Long established as the life and soul of Aviemore, it is a relaxed, friendly place to go for a drink, a bar supper or a more formal evening meal.

Further Afield.

Heading south from us, a 45 minute trip sees you at:

The House of Bruar. The eatery here is superb, great morning coffee or afternoon tea and cakes and the lunches are top-notch. One of our favourite places!

About 45 minutes to the north of Ruthven House there are 4 restaurants that are worth the journey:

Craggan Mill* at Craggan nr Grantown. (Speyside Chef of the Year 2007).
Graham and Sheila offer a top notch, interesting and varied a la carte menu catering to all tastes in the really relaxed atmosphere of their old watermill. 1, 2 or 3 courses – the choice is yours, all at very reasonable prices too.

Tigh na Sgiath* at Dulnain Bridge.
A former Victorian Hunting Lodge, Tigh na Sgiath has oodles of period atmosphere for an elegant, quiet night out. Their menu changes daily, offering you the best locally sourced meat, game, fish & seafood. Iain and Elaine are also more than happy to cater for special dietary needs. 4 courses with all the trimmings is just £31.00pp.

The Glass House* in Grantown on Spey.
This is a smart, modern restaurant - their fine dining has proved very popular indeed with discerning locals & guests alike. Lunch & dinner are served in the relaxed surroundings of their Conservatory and again their menu changes daily. They have just been awarded the prestigious Scotch Beef Award too.

Links The Auld Alliance The Cross The Silverfjord Blasta The Glen Hotel The Cairngorm Hotel Craggan Mill Tigh na Sgiath Fairwinds Hotel Food and Drink photographs courtesy of The Silverfjord Hotel