The Aultguish Inn Restaurant
Food in Scotland
The Aultguish Inn
By Garve
Ross-shire
IV23 2PQ
+44 (0)1997 455 254
Right in the heart of the Highlands, The Aultguish Inn sits by the main road at the foot of Loch Glascarnoch between Inverness and Ullapool. In past centuries the Inn was renowned as an overnight stop for drovers taking the black cattle to the markets of Dingwall or Muir of Ord.
Today it fulfils much the same role for locals, walkers and tourists and makes a popular base for hikers and climbers alike.
A group of eight of us stayed at the Inn for a weekend at the end of April, arriving Friday night and staying until the Sunday which gave us ample time to sample the Inn's hospitality.
Friday night was spent in the bar which has a warm and friendly atmosphere with a log fire burning in the centre. The menu is vast and offers fresh local seafood, game and traditional Scottish dishes along with a full vegetarian menu as well. Children are also catered for.
Some of us opted for a starter and those ranged from traditional Prawn Cocktail (�3.50), Tipsy Laird (�3.75) - haggis in a Drambui cream sauce - which was absolutely delicious and more than enough for two to share, and Breaded Deep-Fried Mushrooms with either a Blue Cheese or Garlic Dip (�2.50).
The selection of main courses chosen ranged from Chicken Tikka Massala (�6.50), Grilled Fresh Wild Salmon (�8.50), 16oz T-Bone Steak with Pepper Sauce (�13.95) and Broccoli and Potato Bake (�5.25) but there were many more options available.
All the meals are freshly prepared to order and come with either chips or new potatoes and a selection of seasonal vegetables.
The sweet menu has a more restricted choice although it still contains old favourites including ice cream, homemade apple pie and cheese and biscuits, but sadly none of us could manage another mouthful even though the apple pie and custard was just crying out to be tried.
Instead all we were able to do was order up another drink, sit back and relax at the fire.
All in all our weekend spent at the Aultguish Inn was far better than we had ever hoped for. We had chosen it because it was cheap, had a bar and the setting was ideal for walking but what we got was a warm, friendly and relaxed hotel with a menu you could die for.
For more information on the Aultguish Inn visit the web site at www.aultguish.co.uk
~ by Samantha Simmons
(10/05/2001)