West Coast Tour of Scotland’s Seafood Shacks

West Coast Tour of Scotland’s Seafood Shacks

The west coast of Scotland is world renowned for producing some of the finest seafood in the world, the crystal-clear water along our coast’s help produce some of the best langoustines, mussels, crabs or scallops amongs others. For sea food lovers the west coast of Scotland is the ideal location.  Why not try and incorporate a tour of Scotland with all its charm and beauty whilst enjoying some of the finest seafood along the way. We at Scottish Tourer love seafood, we have incorporated some of our favourite seafood restaurants along our west coast route.  

This is a tried and tested route which our customers enjoy and perfect for a motorhome adventure.  Below is a list of our top 10 sea food shacks that we think is worth a visit, we love the fact that the menus change daily to accommodate the local catch.  The rapport the chefs have with their local fisherman ensures the produce is always fresh and delicious, good food can be the highlight of any holiday and we don’t think you will be disappointed with our choices. 

   

 

Scotlands Top 10 Seafood Shacks on our West Coast Route

Day 1 

1.  Blair Atholl, House of Bruar Fish/Lobster chip shop

This is only about 45 minutes outside of Perth and can be the perfect stop for your first night depending on how much travelling you want to do.  You can stop and get your dinner and then enjoy a walk up by the falls of Bruar. 
The car park is big enough to park in overnight and then in the morning you can visit the shopping facilities, café plus they have the most wonderful delicatessen and butcher counter which is ideal for stocking up on some treats before you travel onwards towards Inverness.

Day 2

Travel on towards Inverness there is plenty places to visit in inverness the Battlefields of Culloden on the Outskirts of inverness is a worthwhile visit or take a cruise on the Jacobite Cruise ship and tour Loch Ness see if you can spy the Loch Ness Monster.  Torvean Campsite is situated on the outskirts of Inverness city centre and overlooks the golf course, the Caledonian canal is just a short walk where you can jump aboard a Jacobite cruise boat and explore Loch Ness and look out for the all illusive Loch ness monster.  The Riverhouse restaurant itself is only approximately 1.5 mile walk from the campsite so within walking distance to enjoy your meal at the end of a busy day.

2.    Inverness, Riverhouse restaurant

Situated on the banks of the River Ness this restaurant has a friendly casual atmosphere, serving up freshly cooked seafood including sharing platters which are delicious.  Head chef Alfie’s moto is “keep it simple and let the ingredients do the talking”.  What more can we say if you want to explore Inverness and the surrounding area then the Riverhouse Restaurant is a great stop.  

Day 3

Make you way to Ullapool take the A835 from Inverness to Ullapool, Ullapool is a picturesque fishing village on the west coast of Scotland and is one of Scotland’s main ferry ports to the Outer Hebrides. There is plenty to do for those who enjoy the outdoors – for the more adventurous you can par take in some sea Kayaking, enjoy a hill walking, golfing or there is also the option to take a sea cruise and go sea life exploring along the shores of loch broom.

3.    The Seafood shack, Ullapool

This is a great place to enjoy local freshly caught seafood, the seafood shack is owned by 2 young local ladies who have a wonderful rapport with the local fisherman and enjoy the best of their catch.  The Seafood shack is run out of a catering van allowing the girls to cook up fresh and simply delicious seafood – choose form oysters, hand dived scallops, langoustine, lobster, crab all cooked fresh to order and can be enjoyed al fresco or back at the motorhome if you can wait that long.

Overnight there is the option to wild camp where the sat nav will keep you right or there is "The Broomfeild Campsite", lovely clean and well equipped for an overnight stop, great for watching the ferries go back and forth to Stornoway as its situated on the shores of Loch Broom and the summer Isles so its very idyllic plus it’s only a few minutes’ walk from Ullapool centre for exploring or picking up amenities.

Day 4

From Ullapool were going to make our way to Shieldaig by Loch Torridon, take the A835 back towards Inverness then turn off on the A832 heading for Gairloch.  Stopping at the Inverewe gardens cared for by National Trust Scotland where you can walk round the botanical gardens and marvel at the wonders of how the exotic plants grow in such an unforgiving corner of Scotland.  There is also the opportunity spot Scotland s big 5 – Red Squirrel, Golden Eagle, Otter, red deer and the seal. 

I’m sure by the time you have explored Inverewe gardens you will have worked up an appetite or would like a refreshment break and we recommend continuing to travel round the coast and stop at Nanny’s at Shieldaig.

4.    Nannys Shieldaig

The history of Nanny’s and the importance of it to its locals is quite remarkable it started as a corrugated tin shed which provided locals with the essential amenities has now evolved into a café serving light meals, delicious home baking but more importantly local caught seafood, Lynn the owner of Nanny’s husband is also the local fisherman and catches the Squat Lobster and Langoustine in Loch Torridon so you will not get seafood much fresher than this.

From Shieldaig take this coastal route to Applecross, A896 this is a single-track road with designated passing places but does tend to be quiet but be sure to watch for oncoming traffic.  This route has some stunning views of the high mountain ranges and is a lovely drive into Applecross.

We would recommend wild camping at Applecross there is many wonderful spots on the sat nav and there is the option of the Applecross campsite.  

  

 

5.    Applecross Inn, Applecross

For a lovely evening meal there is the Applecross Inn this award-winning inn is very popular, and extremely busy in the summer months, you can’t book a table but it’s worth the wait all the same. Just sit back relax in the beer garden and enjoy the most wonderful view with your favourite tipple.  The atmosphere in this charming Scottish Inn is warm and friendly and situated in one of the most wonderful locations and enjoy the views of Rassay and Skye in the distance, the food will not disappoint neither even my children enjoyed there half pint of langoustine, but don’t worry they have an extensive menu with a variety of seafood as well as other cuisines all cooked fresh to order on site and the squat lobster and langoustine are caught by the local fisherman.

Day 5 

From Applecross take the A896 to Kishorn this route takes you over the Bealach na Ba, also known as “The Applecross Pass”, this can be a bit of a daunting drive for less experienced motorhome drivers as it winds to 2500ft above sea level but please don’t be put off with care and attention to the road and its other users its completely safe and passable and the view from the top of the pass is truly breath-taking with views of the Isle of Raasay and the Black Cuillin Mountain Range of Skye. Once you reach the bottom of the pass we would recommend a stop at the Kishorn seafood Bar at the head of Loch Kishorn.

 

6.    Kishorn Seafood Bar, Kishorn

The Kishorn seafood bar boasts wonderful views of the Applecross peninsula and the Cuillin Hills is situated in the village of Kishorn and is easily identified by its blue wooden style lodge.   The local fisherman drop there local catch at the door ready for customers to enjoy they are open for breakfast, lunch and light snacks but there main speciality is seafood choose from Crab, Oysters, Squat lobster and langoustine. 

   

After brunch/lunch take the A890 past Lochcarron until you reach the T Junction for the Isle of Skye, we would advise taking a left turn which does take you off course a little bit (approx 4 miles) but advise a visit to Eilean Donan castle before you head to the Isle of Skye.  The castle is situated at a point where 3 sea lochs meet and is one of the most iconic images of Scotland, the castle was built in the mid-13th century and has a fascinating history making it one of Scotland most visited tourist attractions.

Once on the Isle of Skye I would recommend driving to the wild camp spot up at Duntulum where the sunset from this point is phenomenal, again I would have my favourite tipple at the ready and sit back and enjoy it.  On the way to Duntulum you pass the Old Man of Storr and the Kilt rock waterfall is worth a stop on the way past.  

Day 7 

From Duntulum follow the A855 towards Uig, from there take the A87 to Slighachan and then turn right A863 towards Carbost where you will find The Oyster Shed Farm shop.  A great stop for lunch before you go on and visit the Talisker distillery and the fairy pools.  

7.    The Oyster Shed Farm Shop, Carbost

This is not a restaurant but a farm shop selling Oysters grown from the crystal clear water of Loch Harport but also has an array of other fresh seafood such as smoked salmon, crab, scallops and mussels, as well as fresh produce such as game, cheese’s and chutneys.  

Why not stop in and buy something to cook from the motorhome that evening.

 

 

The Talliksker Distillery set on the shores of Loch Harport and at the foot of the Cuillins Mountain range offer a distillery tour (no under 18’s) not only is the views here breath taking but at the end of your tour your treated to a wee dram of this full bodied whisky with its smoky peaty tones. 

 

The fairy pools is just a short drive (10 mins) from the Tallisker Distillery and this makes a lovely walk or if you are brave enough a swim, this can be busy in the summer months.

 

From the fairy pools head to Sligachan just before the Sligachan Hotel there is a nice wild camp spot check it out on the sat nav its right beneath the Cullin ridge, however there is a small campsite across the road from the Sligachan Hotel if you prefer or need to refresh your facilities.

 

Day 8

From Sligachan make your way along the A87 to Armadle to catch the ferry to Mallaig which takes you back on to the mainland.  Mallaig is a fishing village and there is a few different boat tours available from here where you can go out and fish and catch your own dinner or sit back and watch for wildlife instead – mink whales and dolphins can often be seen from the boat tours.  

From Mallaig take the A830 to Fort William, if you need a campsite to replenish the water or empty the waste  - I can highly recommend Sunnyside Croft at Arisaig the modern facilities on the site combined with a high attention to detail from the owners makes this a fantastic stop with everything on site you could need from laundry facilities and a wee shop selling local produce plus its only a sort walk to a beautiful white sandy beach.
  

Day 9

From Arisaig following the road to Oban you can visit the Glennfinnan Viaduct made famous from the Harry Potter films this is a popular tourist attraction, if looking to go on the Jacobite Steam train to cross the famous bridge this would need to be booked many months in advance.  Further along the route there is the Loch Shiel Visitor centre where you can learn about the Jacobite rising and visit the monument of the lone highlander in his Kilt which stands on a stone column which is 18 meters high.  

 

When you reach Oban itself this fishing village has an abundance of activities and is again a ferry port for the Outer Hebrides as well as Mull, Skye, Tiree, Islay and Jura amongst others.  They have a distillery to visit, castles, boat tours and lots of walking and cycling around the area too.  

 

8.    Oban Seafood Hut

After a busy day travelling exploring, we would recommend stopping at Oban Seafood Hut or known to the locals as the “Green Shack”.  This is a take away shack located at the Pier, on a nice day I can think of no better way of enjoying some fresh delicious seafood than sitting outside at the pier (there is a small seating area) enjoying a plate of Langoustine or you can always go back to the motorhome and enjoy it there.  If you prefer half an hour outside of Oban is the Oyster Bar at Ellenabeich.

 

9.    The Oyster Bar, Ellenabeich

There menu is primarily seafood however does cater for everyone with light bites, lunch menu and home baking and is in the most idyllic spot with an outside restaurant (as well as indoors) that overlooks the Atlantic with views across to the Isle of Mull and Jura.  

 

Day 10 

From Oban take the A816 and travel towards Lochgilphead then take the  A83 towards Inveraray.  Stopping at Inverary to visit the castle and has been standing on the shores of loch Fynne since the 1400’s the castle offers tours throughout the summer months, there is the opportunity to enjoy the gardens and there’s even a tea room for some refreshments.  Or visit Inverary Jail where visitors can step back in time to this 19th century jail and see what it would have been like to have been tried and locked up here, it was men, woman and even children that were tried and locked up here!.  

Along the A83 from the Jail near the top of the loch you will find the famous Loch Fyne Oyster Bar and generally if you are eating and drinking in the restaurant they are happy for motorohmes to park overnight in the overspill car park by the loch but please double check with them first.  
 

 

10.    Loch Fyne Oyster Bar

The restaurant specialises in serving up food produced from the loch and its own smoke house.  The chef change the menus daily according to what they have in season.  The company started back in 1970’s selling directly to the public from a near by layby now the company is world renowned for producing some of the finest Oysters, dont miss a visit to the Loch Fybne Oyster Bar  

 

Day 11 

From here take the A82 through the Rest and be Thankful road towards Crainlarich then the A85 towards Lochearnhead depending on what time you have you can take the A84 then make your way on to Stirling where you can visit Stirling Castle, the William Wallace Monument there is also Blair Drummond safari Park at Stirling and a fantastic campsite called witches Craig. 

If time is against you then continue along the A85 back towards Perth.

This route although has been set out in days, it is only meant as an example of what your seafood travels throughout Scotland could be, this is easily adaptable to suit your own route it can be shortened or correlated with many of our other routes so you could combine your love of Castles with your love of Seafood, see our other trip ideas https://www.scottishtourer.co.uk/holiday.  This is what make a motorhome holiday special in our opinion there is nothing stopping you from combing your passion’s and creating your own special motorhome adventure.

    

All our motorhomes are well equipped with everything you might need to be able to produce your own delicious home cooked seafood meals back in the motorhome – so if you sea a fisherman come in with his catch at the harbour don’t be frightened to stop and ask him and he may even have a few langoustine he can sell to you directly.   I can’t think of anything better than being able to cook them back at the motorhome with a big bowl of salad, crusty bread and my favourite bottle of wine.  

For more Ideas of cooking in a motorhome see our blog, https://www.scottishtourer.co.uk/blog/2019/07/27/cooking-in-a-motorhome

Contact us today for more information on how to create the perfect motorohme adventure for you and your family we have lost more information on our website, conatact us at [email protected]