A cute little breakfast and lunch place in Inverary. Not many choices for breakfast in this tiny…read moretown so we were glad to find Brambles (with an S on the end). My husband got the eggs Benedict and he was pleased it had black pudding in the middle, very Scottish food of course. He did not care for the hollandaise sauce as it had a sweetness to it. I wasn't super hungry as I was saving room for our lunch at 1pm. I got two poached eggs and toast. The poached eggs were a bit runny for my liking. Overall though this is a great cafe and I like the layout. The service was very friendly. They were setting up a bunch of reserved tables for what looked like a fancy lunch. Lot of people were working there at the time and I assume prepping for a big party.

This was an excellent find while on a Rabbie's tour in the West Highlands. It sits near Inverrary…read moreCastle on Loch Fyne. The staff greeted us warmly and invited us in to their warm and cozy establishment. This is small town Scotland at its best. I was surprised at the worldliness of the Salt and Pepper Asian-style fries on the Daily Specials board. They were amazing as was my "Hybrid Toastie" - essentially a Scottish patty melt. Not that it was mundane in any sense. It was delicious! I washed these down with a Diet Irn Bru - the guilt-free version of Scotland's most popular soda. Once again - another great meal with friendly service. Nowhere close to Edinburgh, yet still with that flair of sophistication mixed with small-town civility.

Spectacular. The best seafood I've ever had. SO fresh, and so well cooked! Drew is a seafood…read morepurist, believing in showcasing the incredible flavour of the fish instead of drowning it in sauces, and we couldn't have had a better experience. His incredible connections around the area culminate in a platter worthy of kings, with some incredible smoked options, dips, home-baked bread, and more. While neither my partner nor I have any dietaries & the meal is (obviously) primarily seafood-oriented, we were pleased to find out that you can request a meal suitable for even vegans! Would highly suggest having a conversation with him about what you like & want to explore, he's very friendly and extremely helpful. Keep in mind it's BYOB, however complimentary coffee & dessert is offered. He has great local suggestions for stores to buy wine from, though, which I would also recommend! Also ask Drew about taxi options home - he put us in touch with an excellent driver and even organised it for us. All in all, I couldn't recommend this experience more. Absolutely incredible, will absolutely come again the next time we're in Scotland!

From the owner: Seafood extravaganza using local and ethically sourced produce.read more

My hotel stay was okay. I've stayed in quite a few hotels while in Scotland, and I'm not overly…read morepicky. This however is the first time that my bathroom was outside of my room. I came with a large group, so I couldn't switch rooms. My room smelled very musty, so the hotel person brought up some Febreeze to help with the smell. The hotel staff are very polite and have been helpful. The food at the hotel was good every day. If I ever return, I would stay away from room 8 as I don't like having to leave my room to use the bathroom in the middle of the night. 3 Stars

Everything was wonderful. The bedroom overlooked the harbor which was such a beautiful view. The…read morebath was roomy with a huge tub. The bed was comfortable. The restaurant food was fresh (using mostly locally grown and freshly caught food). The deserts were awesome. I would definitely stay here again if I ever have the chance to return to Iona.

A five-star view, with caveats…read more First off the Drift Inn is without a doubt the best place to eat and drink in Lamlash. We've tried the competition and frankly the Drift has the best beer and Scotch selection, food, and atmosphere. Inside it's a restaurant, outside it's a country pub with lots of well-spaced outdoor seating. It has the basics food-wise down pat. Huge fish and chips and excellent mussels - in the latter case just the right size between tasty and chewy. A great wine and beer selection and excellent service. The one down side was an overly-promised starter. Spending 15 quid on a few tiny bits of food artfully arranged stuck in the craw somewhat. But what the hell, they're nice people and the rest of it was superb.

I loved this pub and the food was probably the best we had on Arran. I actually didn't know about…read morethis place until the day before we left to go to Arran when I had 4 different people recommend it to me - I knew we had to go from that fact alone! It's in the lovely town of Lamlash and really easy to find. We parked along the road and then walked down as we were there quite early and it didn't open til midday. There's a beautiful view over the water to Holy Isle and you can get a ferry over if you're so inclined - we decided to just appreciate it from afar. The pub itself is kind of nautical/rugby themed and really cosy inside - there's a fireplace and lots of seating as well as some couches and a kids area. I ordered a bowl of Cullen Skink (Scottish haddock soup) as well as the Angler's Platter for one (Creeler's hot and cold smoked salmon, seafood and soft cheese mousse, fishcake and homemade bread). The soup was just delicious - I don't eat Cullen Skink enough and when I have one as good as this, I wonder why - thick, jam packed with fish and really tasty. I loved the platter too - the fish cake was the highlight for sure, but everything on it was so tasty and I loved how local it all was. Staff were friendly and welcoming, and we enjoyed grazing here for a while. They have a great booze selection but as I was driving I didn't have any - next time we visit I would definitely see about getting the bus or a taxi here from Brodick so we could get stuck into the gin! Note: they have gluten free bread, breadcumb and batters are available upon request.

A great option for a quick meal after a morning tour. The cafe is comfortable and the food is…read moresurprisingly good. The Cullen Skink soup is delicious. The sandwiches are also very good. The staff is attentive.

After the tour stopped here for a delightful lunch. The place is busy so do be patient. I had a…read morelovely smoked haddock soup and roll and my companion had a nice steak pie. I wouldn't necessarily make this a destination stop for the restaurant as it is just located right inside the Ardbeg reception/gift shop area and more like a cafe but if you are here for the great tour a perfect place to stop for a bite.

I'd had Inver on my to-visit list for a while, and recently I decided to just go ahead and book a…read moretable for lunch for no particular reason rather than saving our visit for a special occasion. I made the booking by email (they were quick to reply) and then we headed on our way from the south side of Glasgow on Saturday. I always underestimate just how far away this part of the world is - so don't listen to your maps, as it will probably take a bit longer with traffic going past Loch Lomond. It took us 20 minutes longer than expected but thankfully they still had our table waiting for us when we arrived. Inver is really beautiful - right on Loch Fyne and looks over at the ruins of old Castle Lachlan. Inside its Scandinavian, minimalist styling and super relaxing. I had a G&T to start and then we stuck to soft drinks but it would be lovely to stay nearby and have a few wines. I ordered the mussels to start followed by the local langoustines. In hindsight, this was maybe too much food but I was just excited for the delicious seafood options! If you're not a seafood fan there's plenty of locally sourced meats on the menu. The mussels were a massive bowl - for the price (£10) I actually expected a smaller portion and really struggle to eat them all. The broth they were served it was heavenly - burnt cream, cider and dill - I will be dreaming about this perfectly balanced broth for weeks to come. And it was served with slices of their home made sourdough bread which seems really dense and heavy but is actually perfectly delicious. Oh, and the butter was amazing too. Onto our mains. The langoustines come as 3 or 6 in the portion - I'd gone with 6 because I'm greedy and thankfully managed the lot. They came with a slice of lemon, mayo as well as more delicious bread - to be honest, I ate them just with the lemon as they were so delicious and perfect they really didn't need anything else. We had a side of green beans (with anchovy and mint) as well as hand cut chips - again, totally flawless and actually the highlight was the beans as they were just so fresh and the anchovy puree was totally perfect. Yes, we'd eaten a lot but I couldn't pass up dessert - I ordered the cherries and goat's milk sorbet. Woah. Not only was it totally beautiful to look at but the flavour was just amazing - it was almost on the savoury side with a hint of sweetness from the cherries. Again, another dish I'll be thinking about for weeks to come! I love that there's a little shop area (hidden amongst the bookshelves) where you can buy some of their produce to take home - we got red cabbage kraut as well as a loaf of bread but they also have jams, butter and scones. There's also a bar area so if you feel like relaxing in a comfy chair after all that food, you can. We paid our bill (£100 for 2 x 3 course meals + sides + soft drinks, tea and one G&T) and then walked around to the ruins of Old Castle Lachlan which was the perfect way to finish the meal. It's about a 20 minute round trip so make sure you wear suitable shoes! I would love to go back to Inver and stay nearby (possibly at Castle Lachlan which is available to rent!) as it was just a wonderfully exceptional meal. It's great to see a restaurant doing something a bit unusual with Scottish produce. Note: There's free wifi but only for 10 minutes so use it wisely. Otherwise it's £3 for the day.

A few months ago Marino O'Loughlin reviewed a small restaurant on the banks of Loch Fyne in…read moreStrachur called Inver, heaping enormous praise on it, however with it being nearly 5 hours away it seemed unlikely this would be a place I would be visiting anytime soon. This is where the divine intervention came in; I remembered that at the end of the month I was at a wedding just outside Glasgow. I had a spare day to kill the following day so calculated the time and distance from our hotel to the restaurant, 2 hours, it could be done! Admittedly with accommodation not available in Strachur for the night it meant a post-meal 5-hour drive back to the North-West, fingers crossed it would be worth the drive. Turns out the view alone was worth it. When dining at the Three Chimneys on the Isle of Skye the previous year I thought that I'd reached the pinnacle of dining with a view. Inver possibly trumps it. I mean look at it... The lunch menu consisted of simple but creative dishes of mainly fresh, local seafood, salads, and homemade bread and butter. Now if I was being particularly gluttonous (and if funds hadn't dictated against it) I could have ordered everything on that menu, however, I opted for the Partran Bree - crab and rice soup to start and the 'Kale Caesar' - roast chicken, soft egg, anchovy and Pecorino for main. It tasted as good as it looked. The soup was rich, velvety and delicate whilst simultaneously packing a hefty punch of brown crab flavour. Inver's take on the caesar salad was also a triumph. Crisp leaves, a perfectly boiled egg, and most importantly exquisitely cooked chicken with a beautifully crisp skin. Faultless. Having shared some of my dishes with my dining companion, it would only be fair that I sampled some of their choices; 'Tongue on Toast' - ox tongue, caper sauce and radish to start and kedgeree - smoked haddock, soft egg, rice and leeks for main. Both of which were absolutely fantastic, especially the 'Tongue on Toast' as the intense flavour of the tongue married superbly with the earthy sourdough. As well as the above I also ordered some hand cut chips with Viking Salt which unfortunately were too salty even for someone who has a particularly high salt-threshold such as myself, and Kate's leaf salad, radishes and buttermilk dressing, which unfortunately, despite being a beautiful looking salad went relatively untouched (a case of eyes being bigger than bellies). After dining at Inver it is clear to see where Pam and Rob are taking their influences from having learnt their trade all over Europe at Michelin-starred establishments such as Noma (Denmark), Faviken (Sweden) and De Superette (Belgium), however, they also manage to put their own, local spin on proceedings. According to the Inver website, "Pam and Rob took over the building in spring 2015 and with their friends and family have built the sort of place they like to spend time. We hope that you will too." I can confirm without a shadow of a doubt that I did.

I only had time for a beer (or 2) and some bacon fries while waiting for my bus but if the fresh…read morecrab claws and massive lobsters are any indication of how yummy their seafood menu must be, this is an awesome place. Tiny dining room area on one side, pub on the other, outside patio sunny and protected from the wind. Just downright cozy. The pub is run by a great gal and her dad supplies the seafood and was accompanied by his darling puppy Archie. Can't ask for a better experience than sitting around sharing a pint with folks like this!

Having visited Islay twice now, I will say that they have the best seafood available on the island…read more It may not be the quickest to get to if you're staying in Bowmore but I will say it is worth 30+ minute drive. It is a small bar with about 6 tables but it has such a nice and cozy feel. Since the seafood is freshly caught daily, the menu can vary but I can say that every dish I've had there was delicious. My favorite was smoked salmon, unlike any other smoked salmon I've ever had. They also have a decent bar selection, so you will not be disappointed.

Really good food here. Overlooking the westernmost point of the man-made Crinan Canal (Scotland's…read moremost beautiful shortcut) is this Michelin Guide recommended seafood led restaurant and bar situated within the Crinan Hotel. I had the fish and chips which was enormous and very very good. My baby son and dog were well accommodated too. Didn't expect hem to have cask ale but the Jarl from locally brewed Fyne ales was top notch. Definitely recommended for a drink or a bite to eat. Edit: forgot to add that the chips were amazing. Real Belgian style crispy chips but fluffy inside. Garlic mayo is amazing too.

Amazing freshly landed langoustines daily at 4.30pm,lobsters best fish and chips and amazing views…read morefrom this friendly seafood bar ,veggies and meat eaters will also be happy here,and doggies are welcome on a short lead.

While in Oban, it was recommended to come here for the best sticky toffee pudding…read more We came with a group of 6 and were seating in a lower side room. We had the room all to ourselves which was kind of a double edged sword. We had the plenty of space but also didn't feel the full pub experience by being separated from the rest of the pub. Our server was very attentive and gave us good recommendations on food. We had one person in our party with dietary restrictions and he spoke with the chef and they were able to adjust a menu item to accommodate those needs. It was very much appreciated. Most unfortunately when it came time for dessert they were out of the sticky toffee pudding! We were so sad, but the server sent us for a walk down the road to another place for dessert. I enjoyed the steak pie along with a Guinness for dinner. It was very good and everyone else was pleased with their choices as well.

From our mid July, 2016 Trip: My wife and I went here for…read moredrinks and it we got as far as the bar. The atmosphere was busy and lively. The bartenders were friendly and helpful. They had the Octomore whiskey available for a good price! It was a good place to grab drinks amidst the locals.

I usually try to only do one big splurge whilst on a vacation and we did that in Edinburgh…read more However, I couldn't get the idea of Etive off my mind because I had heard so many good things about it. I decided to change my thought process and allow myself to have another splurge since this was in a different city, in a different part of Scotland. I'm so glad I did because this was a magical experience I won't be forgetting for a long time. Making a reservation was a bit nerve-racking because I know how a small town like this can book up. Also, the website was being a bit of a pain so I decided to email the restaurant directly. I communicated with David over email a few times and I was impressed with how happy he seemed to be to have us dine in with them. Walking in, the place feels so homey, with a tartan carpet and a lot of wood accents. The tables were cute and beautifully set. We were the first inside, so we were able to choose where we sat, which was a nice touch. Not to worry, the restaurant filled up pretty quickly after that. David was our server but he was also training a new employee. She was shy but just as lovely as David was. And David is quite lovely. So friendly, so knowledgeable. He made us feel so comfortable and gave a lot of fun stories to go with the wine we were drinking. We went with the Land & Sea, with the wine pairing. I'd highly suggest the wine pairing. A lot of unusual wines that are masterly matched to the food being eaten. And this food is so good, you want to be able to have a lovely drink to accompany it. Everything was just fresh and tasted sublime. The potato dish with the Isle of Mull cheddar and truffle oil is the only thing that doesn't come off of the menu and I know why. It's an amazing dish and I could eat it everyday if I had to.

When planning the Oban leg of our Scottish tour, Etive Restaurant came up time and time again as…read moreone of the premier fine dining establishments in the region. The venue is intimate but not stuffy, swathed in a darker blue color palette with tartan-print carpeting and plenty of maps adorning he walls. The cartographic imagery was very much in theme, as Etive has a clear central driving force: it is a love letter to the terroir and sea-equivalent (merroir?) that produces the best Scottish ingredients. The name itself is a reference to Loch Etive, near which where the restaurant's predecessor was located in Argylle prior to its move south to Oban in 2017. The restaurant was commended in the Michelin guide starting in 2018. David, one of the co-owners and resident sommelier, was our waiter and his passion for both his roots and the restaurant program clearly shone through. We started off with some pre-dinner aperitifs, of which there are but two choices: a Gibson martini and a negroni. Both were sensational. The martini told a maritime story by marrying a local gin from the island of Iona, stinging nettle liqueur, and some briny pearl onions. The negroni comprised of local 100-proof gin was rich and well-balanced. We also had a lovely Rioja with dinner (Arzuaga Ribera del Duero Crianza 2018) that was a solid recommendation. Then commenced the tasting portion of the evening which, for me, was the "Land & Sea" experience: Homemade bread with cultured butter - simple but delicious. Not sure what it is about the butter in Europe, but it's so complex and well-salted compared to the stuff back home. Smoked Salmon and Steelhead Trout Tarts - two little savory fish pastries in flaky pate brisée crust, served on a framed topographic map as a plate. Delicate and smoky flavors and pretty presentation. Crab Cornetto - crispy cones stuffed with crab meat and topped with thick trout roe. The crab was sweet and fresh, but the caviar was surprisingly not especially salty and I felt that the bites could use some extra salinity. Atlantic Brill - thin moist fish over a stew of eggplant, tomato, and eggplant. There were nice tangy and rustic flavors here, but this wasn't the most memorable dish. Potato chowder - pureed and whole potatoes in an impossibly decadent dish with funky Isle of Mull cheddar, truffle oil, and finely chopped chives. Like a classic baked potato on steroids, in the best way. Venison Loin and Haunch - the lamb was just perfectly cooked, one of the best iterations I've had. The deer - served two-ways as both a juicy steak and shredded meat - was paired with earthy and vegetal elements in the form of broccoli puree, foraged chanterelle mushrooms, and crunchy leek. The tangy and full-bodied sauce underneath was wonderful as well. Oban 14-year-old Whisky Ice Cream - tasted just like single-malt whisky, which was just fine for me. The wood and sea spray notes came through, as well as some nuttiness from the toasted oats. I do think it could've done with a little more of the heather honey to give it a tad more sweetness, as it is a dessert after all. Bramble Souffle - an excellent finish that married tart blackberry with sweet, aromatic English tea in the form of a gooey warm little cake with a creamy scoop of Earl Grey ice cream. We absolutely loved our experience here, not only for the delicious food but to witness the respect the team has for Scotland's natural bounty. How many restaurants makes the effort to list the specific lake, village, or island of origin for every major ingredient? Run don't walk here if you are looking for a memorable meal in Oban.