WORLDWIDE SHIPPING Complimentary within UK on Purchases over £250
We celebrated my 18th birthday with a delicious 6 course Michel Roux Jr vegan dinner at Inverlochy Castle.
After our dreadful experiences of hotels trying to cater for vegans, a pleasant surprise was installed for us.
After Culloden House, we drove to Fort William and stayed in Inverlochy Castle. As we drove through the gates, I instantly thought we wandered into a fairy tale. The luscious green trees drenched in raindrops were a perfect landscape for Enid Blyton’s The Magic Faraway Tree. Regardless of the stunning scenery, the hospitality and food were exquisite. The staff were friendly and incredibly accommodating to vegans. When we arrived, we suddenly asked for afternoon tea – one of the most non-vegan friendly British traditions. However, they were prepared with cucumber sandwiches, vegan chocolate mousse, banana bread, soy milk and butter as well as vegan scones!
We celebrated my 18th birthday with a delicious 6 course Michel Roux Jr vegan dinner. Although I prefer having one large main meal, the mix of flavours was amazing amongst the backdrop of the bleeding sunset and Highlander cows. As we were leaving the dining room, the chef gave me an array of vegan chocolate desserts for my birthday – the best way to end the evening.
Next, we drove to the Isle of Skye and stayed at The Three Chimneys. The scenery and walks on the Isle of Skye were my favourite part of the holiday. Every corner reminded me of a different period drama film: from Joe Wright’s Pride and Prejudice to Merchant and Ivory’s Productions. Being a vegan in the Isle of Skye generally isn’t difficult, if you go out of peak season as the whole island was packed with tourists. One of the restaurant managers said to us, “Anything with the word ‘fairy’ in it is full of tourists and very busy”. Hence, we avoided the Fairy Glen and the Fairy Pools.
On the first morning at The Three Chimney on the Isle of Skye, I opened the curtains and saw the crisp orange sunlight dancing across the turquoise sea. We watched the performance whilst eating mushrooms, tomatoes, steamed kale and drinking rooibos tea.
On the first morning, I opened the curtains and saw the crisp orange sunlight dancing across the turquoise sea. We watched the performance whilst eating mushrooms, tomatoes, steamed kale and drinking rooibos tea. It was quiet and tranquil – the perfect place for Wordsworth.
I recommend that any vegan staying in the Isle of Skye should eat at The Three Chimneys one evening (but maybe not for 3 days…) – each dish is flavoursome and no ‘fake meat’ burgers in sight.
Before heading south, we spontaneous booked an Airbnb and ferry to the Outer Hebrides to see the legendary Callanish Stones. The history of the stones was fascinating, but even more interesting were the locals’ opinions on the origins and purposes of the stones. The Callanish stones were the inspiration for Craigh na Dun in the series Outlander.
After almost 3 weeks of eating out, all we wanted to do was make a homecooked meal. When we arrived in Stornoway we dashed to Tesco’s, bought stacks of groceries and headed to our Airbnb. However, Magz (the owner of Mill View B&B) was very surprised when we asked, “And where’s the kitchen?”. We suddenly realised that we booked a Bed & Breakfast, not a cottage… Nevertheless, we managed by eating at an Indian restaurant in Stornoway that seemed to only have 1 staff member. We were convinced that he was the waiter, chef and Front of House.
We were in awe – it was a Harry Potter Hogwarts’s feast.
As for breakfast, Magz offered us a wide variety of options: Whisky porridge oats, Black Forrest Gateau oats, Avocado toast with coconut and chilli yogurt, waffles, muffins, toast and an incredible assortment of homemade jams. We were in awe – it was a Harry Potter Hogwarts’s feast. On our final morning, she also made us breakfast and lunch to take with us on our 6-hour car journey south. The organic homegrown boiled new potato were the best potatoes I have every eaten.
All in all, being a vegan in Scotland is difficult but this depends on where you stay and how much research you do prior to your journey. The main takeaway from our holiday is “The primary cause of unhappiness is never the situation but your thoughts about it” (Eckhart Tolle). We never stopped laughing and trying to make the best of an uneasy situation – that’s why I will always cherish this holiday.
Join our family to be the first to receive our latest stories and inspiration.
