Touring Scotland: Foodie Breaks
Itinerary BT-6: Scottish Seafood Trail from GBP 495 per person for 5 nts
Our unique and exclusive tour of the west coast takes you through some of the best Scottish scenery and features three contrasting, comfortable small hotels, which feature wonderful fresh local food, especially seafood. Add to that, two memorable experiences - a hands-on seafood cookery demonstration, where you can eat what you prepare - and finally a chance to join a local fisherman on his creel fishing boat, and enjoy a lochside lunch on the day's catch.
Read about this holiday in "The Observer" 25th May 2008.
Watch a slide-show of pictures from the holiday here.
Day One - Kyles of Bute
You start with a short ferry ride from just to the west of Glasgow. Your hotel is about 45 minutes drive from the port, after you pass one of the classic views of Scotland.
Your Hotel
Enjoying spectacular views of the Isle of Bute, your hotel is an imposing Victorian establishment dominating the rocky shore. Look out for the exquisite mosaic floor in the entrance – laid by Italian prisoners of war. Attention is paid to the tiniest of details here, from the whisky liqueur from a secret family recipe in your room to the dramatic display of local art in the public areas.
During your stay you will learn all about the local lady who dives for the scallops, the seasoned stalker who sources the venison and the rugged fisherman who lands the langoustine – you may even get a chance to meet them. For more casual dining, the popular Shinty Bar offers simpler snacks and is crammed with memorabilia, aptly enough, from the local shinty team – if you’re lucky you might even catch a game during your stay! Even breakfast is something of a culinary masterpiece here, and passing yachts have been known to moor up at the hotel to sample the breakfast of all breakfasts - scallops, bacon and champagne!
Day Two
After a morning exploring or relaxing this afternoon you will join the chef for a hands-on cookery demonstration, focusing on the wonderful local shellfish. What's more you get to eat what you produce!
Day Three: Loch Linnhe
Today's route takes you along the Argyll coast with a chance to make an early lunch stop at the famous Loch Fyne Oyster Bar, before reaching your second hotel, just north of Oban.
Your Hotel
Originally the home of Loch Linnhe's Pier Master, this historic restaurant, with its adjacent modern residence, really is a special place to contemplate the dramatic beauty of the west coast. Mouthwatering langoustines and lobster are kept fresh off the end of the pier, before being served to you by candlelight in the cosy conviviality of one of Argyll's finest restaurants. As you contemplate the sunset over the distant Morvern hills, you may be lucky enough to glimpse otters and seals.
Day Four - Wester Ross
Your next destination is in one of the most scenically beautiful and secluded locations in the whole of Scotland, around 3 hours drive north from your first base, in the wild and rugged area of Wester Ross.
Your Hotel
This small, family-run Inn makes a picture-perfect base for exploring the dramatic west coast with its abundance of lochs, forests, mountains and rivers. The grandeur of the surrounding mountains forms a stunning backdrop to your hotel, which nestles in the crescent-shaped village high street. Converted from a row of white-washed fishing cottages, the hotel overlooks an idyllic loch which reflects a tiny island covered in Scots Pines. Two snug lounges both feature glorious views over the peaceful loch, and offer visitors the chance to idle away an afternoon watching the occasional boat come and go, and maybe enjoy a wee dram from the honesty bar in the corner. If you are lucky you could even be treated to one of the west coast’s spectacular sunsets.
The charming restaurant, adorned with driftwood sculptures, is a fitting setting for the imaginative dishes that are served each evening. Chef makes extensive use of the local produce to create an ever changing menu of fresh fish, shellfish, and top quality meat and game. The picturesque village was originally built in 1810 to house and train sailors for the Napoleonic wars, but following Waterloo, the place was left to its own devices. Once, quite literally, the end of the road north, the village has retained that other-worldly ‘Brigadoon’ feel, and offers an overwhelming atmosphere of peace and tranquillity.
Day Five
This morning you drive north towards Gairloch for a truly unique experience, perhaps the highlight of the trip. You will join a local fisherman on his working boat as he gathers his creels. Then, back on dry land, you will enjoy a seafood lunch from some of the harvest, cooked for you by the loch shore. A fitting end to your exploration of this country's seafood treasures.Day Six: Return Home
Your route will take you first to Inverness then south through the Highlands.
Prices & Dates
Our Scottish Seafood Trail can be arranged from mid March to mid October 2010.
The price is £495 per person for departures in March, £509 per person for April & October and £535 per person for May to September, based on 2 people sharing a room for 5 nights on a bed & breakfast basis.
Prices include an afternoon cookery demonstration at the first hotel, and the fishing and seafood lunch experience from the third hotel. You will need to bring your own wine for lunch. Lobster, if caught would be an extra charge.
Ferry travel for a car and passengers from Dunoon to Gourock is also included.
This holiday can easily be extended with extra nights at any of the featured hotels. Ask us for a quotation.
All our touring holidays include a map of Scotland with recommended routes from your specified starting point, suggestions on places to see and visit depending on your personal interests and our expertise to help you get the most from your holiday.
All itineraries and room types are presented subject to availability at specific hotels.
The McKinlay Kidd Guarantee
All our holiday prices include a service charge of £8 per person per night towards the costs we incur in researching, planning and designing your holiday. We guarantee to refund this service charge if you believe that arranging your holiday through McKinlay Kidd has not met your expectations for value.
All we ask is that you write to us within 7 days of your return and explain your reason for claiming the refund. This will ensure that we can improve the experience for all our future guests.
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