Fall in love with North Coast 500 food and drink this Valentine’s Day
As the North Highlands prepares itself for Valentine’s Day in lockdown over the weekend of 12th to 14th February, some of the region’s leading independent and family-run cafes, restaurants, food and drink retailers and brands are encouraging people to ‘love local’ and support the region’s best food and drink businesses on and around the North Coast 500 route.
Independent and family-run food and drink businesses are an integral part of the local community in the North Highlands. They also make a significant contribution to the local visitor economy when travel is allowed. So, while lockdown continues, Black Isle Brewery, Highland Farm Café; The Storehouse; Dunnet Bay Distillers; Mackays Hotel; Inverness Coffee Roasting Co; The Redshank; Fish ‘n’ Collect and Harry Gow Bakery are now offering a variety of collection and home delivery services for people to enjoy the unique taste of the North Highlands on their own doorstep and beyond.
Black Isle Brewery, Old Allangrange, Munlochy
Calling all craft beer lovers! Black Isle Brewery has launched a new Valentine’s beer box for UK mainland home delivery, including Frei Pils Gluten Free Pilsner 4.8% 440ml; Best Laid Plans; Passionfruit Sour 3.5% 440ml; Imperial Hibernator Stout 10% 440ml; Equations #2 Red Wine BA Saison 6% 750ml. The beer box contains 7 beers and two Spelt lager glasses for £47.50.
Black Isle Brewery is Scotland’s only organic brewery, making world-class beers from the finest organic malt and hops – grown without chemicals – just as nature intended. The beautiful organic farm is a patch of paradise on The Black Isle. In their fields, they grow malting barley for delicious beer, as well as seasonal vegetables, herbs and salads.
Call: 01463 811 871
Email: [email protected]
https://www.blackislebrewery.com/shop/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackislebrewery
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BlackIsleBeer
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackislebrewery
Highland Farm Café, Mountgerald, Dingwall
Founded in 2018 by Kenneth and Lesley McKenzie, the family-run Highland Farm Café and Farm Shop at Mountgerald, near Dingwall, continues to showcase some of the best, locally sourced foods, gifts, meals, teas, coffees and cakes in the North Highlands.
From 300 feet above sea level, local visitors making collections can take in amazing views of the Black Isle and surrounding areas, where the majority of Highland Farm Café’s food has come from. Voted Scotland’s best Ethical Green Business by the Federation of Small Businesses for two consecutive years, every care is taken to protect the beautiful environment surrounding this Eco-Cafe.
Putting the local community first; the Farm Shop has remained open all the way through lockdown providing essential food to the local community in a Covid-Safe environment, seven days a week. Local delivery is also available.
Enjoy Highland Farm Café’s Valentine’s Afternoon Tea or their romantic three-course meal that can be heated at home.
The Valentine’s Afternoon tea includes Victoria sponges with fresh cream and Williamsons of Inverness strawberries, selection of sandwiches made with award-winning Three Little Bakers bread, homemade red velvet fairy cake, Fraser Brothers cured bacon and brie pastries, Prosecco (sourced from Woodwinters of Inverness). £30 for two people sharing.
The three-course ready meal for two people includes tomato and basil soup or Bannerman’s prawns in a Marie-Rose sauce; and Thai vegetable or chicken curry or Fraser Brothers Pork loin; followed by their very own homemade sticky toffee pudding or their famous raspberry and white chocolate cheesecake. £29.95 for two people sharing. You can also add a bottle of white or red wine for an additional £7.95.
A range of gift vouchers, ready meals, gifts, hampers and hot takeaway food is available. To avoid disappointment, all orders should be placed by 4pm on Friday 12th February. Local delivery is available.
Call: 01349 867475
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.highlandfarmcafe.co.uk
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Highland-Farm-Cafe-1946027988801119
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/highlandfarmcafe
The Storehouse, Foulis Ferry, Evanton, Ross-shire
The Storehouse restaurant, farm shop and gift shop is located on the banks of the Cromarty Firth, enclosed in a fully-restored 18th century storehouse. During lockdown, The Storehouse continues to operate its online farm shop to serve the community with a local collection and delivery service, including afternoon teas and celebrations cakes, beers, ciders, spirits, biscuits, chocolates, condiments and sauces, cordials and soft drinks, Cromarty bakery bread, fruit and vegetables, dairy, handmade frozen meals, meat, fish and home baking, including gluten free.
The fantastically stocked farm shop is inspired by a love of farming and of great food. Specially selected products from near and far make this a must stop destination for gourmet treats. Close links with local farms mean that The Storehouse has the freshest vegetables delivered daily, including delicious potatoes grown only a few fields away.
A selection of fabulous meal kits to treat someone special this Valentine’s Day are also available for local collection and delivery, including Tear and Share Pizza & Fondue for £35 and Valentine’s Weekend Steak and Cake for £45, all washed down with a Happy Chappy from Cromarty Brewery, Rock Rose Gin with Cushiedoo’s tonic or a hand-picked bottle of wine from The Storehouse selection.
Call: 01349 830038
Web: https://thestorehouse.scot/shop/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thestorehouse1/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thestorehouse
Dunnet Bay Distillers, Dunnet, Thurso, Caithness
Hot off the heels of the launch of their innovative fully recyclable and freepost return pouches, Dunnet Bay Distillers has unveiled a new reason for Rock Rose Gin lovers to raise a celebratory glass. The new refill subscription service ‘Refill Rewards Club’, means you never worry about pouring the last drop from your bottle again.
As a member of the ‘Refill Rewards Club’, Rock Rose Gin lovers will receive a box containing their chosen refill pouch (700ml), accompanying mixers, garnish and a wee surprise or two to enjoy in the comfort of their own home. When you’ve topped up your bottle, simply pop the empty pouch into the postbox – no stamp or envelope required. Dunnet Bay Distillers will take care of the recycling. Monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly deliveries direct to your door are available and postage is free.
Dunnet Bay Distillery is a magical place that creates spirits which are inspired by and embody Caithness, its unique cultural and natural heritage and its people. Its ethos is to create spirits which reflect the Caithness way and is based on five core values; authenticity, flavour, innovation, sustainability and tradition.
Call: 01847 851 287
Web: https://www.dunnetbaydistillers.co.uk/refill-rewards-club/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rockrosegin/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RockRoseGin
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockrosegin/
Mackays Hotel, Union St, Wick, Caithness
Mackays Hotel celebrated its 65th anniversary as an independent family business in 2020, having clocked up over six decades as a leading accommodation provider and a cornerstone of local community life in Caithness. Mackays Hotel is owned and operated by third generation of the Lamont family, Murray and Ellie, along with their 34-year-old daughter, Jennifer, supporting 25 local jobs and usually welcoming around 54,000 global visitors to the North Highlands each year when travel is allowed.
The family-run hotel continues to go the extra mile to support those in need around the region. During lockdown, the Lamont family have provided meals on wheels home delivery and takeaway service for people in and around Wick.
Mackays Hotel has promoted local produce since before it became fashionable, including purchasing direct from the Christmas Aberdeen and Northern Mart Show for the last 21 years and holding the Taste Of Caithness Champions’ Dinner with the produce, supporting Mey Selections brand meat, purchasing Scrabster haddock and local vegetables when available. They have now launched a special Valentine’s Day ‘At Home’ package for the local community to collect from the hotel on Friday 12th and Saturday 13thFebruary. The special menu is priced at £22.99 per person and includes prawn and crayfish cocktail; chicken, truffle and herb terrine; slow cooked beef feather blade ragu; baked haddock with balsamic cherry tomatoes; strawberry mouse; lemon posset and chocolate brownie.
Your order is delivered to your car so you don’t get cold, wet or blown away.
Call: 01955 602323
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mackayshotelwick
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MackaysHotel
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mackayshotel/
Inverness Coffee Roasting Co. 15 Chapel Street, Inverness
Taken over by Kevin and Heather Donnachie five years ago, the team of seven at Inverness Coffee Roasting Co. is passionate about all-things coffee, especially the craft of teasing out the best in every bean They carefully and ethically source green beans from the high lands of the world, skillfully roasting them in the Highlands of Scotland, show-casing the characteristics of each varietal.
Prior to lockdown Inverness Coffee Roasting Co. provided a friendly stopping place for coffee lovers, and although the shop is temporarily closed, coffee lovers still have ready access to a full range of roasted coffee beans from around the world (whole or ground to the customers specification) and regular subscription options, through the easy-to-navigate website or by picking up the phone and chatting about your coffee needs. Team Bean personally deliver in and around Inverness and post first class UK-wide.
Inverness Coffee Roasting Co also work closely with colleagues in the food, drink and hospitality industry, providing them with locally roasted coffee, barista equipment, coffee-related advice and training.
Call: 01463 242555
Web: https://invernesscoffeeroasting.co.uk/online-shop/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/invernesscoffeeroasting/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/invcoffee
The Redshank (The Redshank Catering Company LTD), Inverness
Established by husband and wife, Jamie and Ann Marie Ross in 2018, The Redshank is a mobile seafood catering trailer (food truck) based in the Highlands capital of Inverness offering a ‘street food’ approach to freshly cooked, locally sourced seafood and produce. The Redshank opens its hatch at various points around the capital, local towns and villages serving the local community all year round. Classic dishes include Cullen skink, Shetland scallops and Stornoway black pudding, Kedgeree, Ox cheek in local stout and Orkney crab.
Menu and locations vary on weekly basis. The Redshank doesn’t currently offer home deliveries, but you can find where we they be next, along with their latest menu by heading to their website and social channels:
Call: 07546 567 940
Web: www.theredshank.com
Facebook: facebook.com/theredshankuk
Twitter: twitter.com/theredshankuk
Instagram: instagram.com/theredshankuk
Fish ‘n’ Collect (The Redshank), Inverness
Started in March 2020 at the beginning of the first lockdown, Jamie and Ann Marie Ross had to stop their hot food offering from ‘The Redshank’. Their ever-expanding offering ranges from fresh fish and shellfish, ready to re-heat home cooked meals, ‘Redshank’ meal kits, soups and sauces. They offer home deliveries around the local area of Inverness and surrounding villages. Safe collections are also available from their production unit in Smithton. Ordering is easy and is completely contactless and safe through the Fish ‘n’ Collect website. You can also follow on social media and call/text:
Call: 07546 567 940
Web: www.fishncollect.com
Facebook: facebook.com/fishncollect
Twitter: twitter.com/fishncollect
Instagram: instagram.com/fishncollect
Harry Gow, stores across the Highlands and Moray
Harry Gow is a popular bakery with 18 stores across Inverness, the Highlands and Moray. Famous for its dream rings and marzipan apples, the family-run business has been providing delicious baked goods – all made from scratch – to the north of Scotland since the 1970s.
During lockdown, Harry Gow has launched Harry’s at Home – a delivery service bringing its popular bakes straight from the oven to people’s front doors. Shoppers can choose from three selection boxes starting from £16.25, each featuring a range of the bakery’s most popular products:
- Tea Time with Bells On – a selection of the finest cakes and biscuits in Scotland, including dream rings, empire biscuits, shortbread, muffins and snowballs.
- Breakfast of Champions – the ultimate morning pick-me-up, featuring butteries, pancakes, breads and rolls.
- Harry’s Favourites – the perfect option for those who are a bit indecisive, this box contains all of the Harry’s at Home options in one handy package!
The service is currently available in a range of Highland and Moray communities – and shoppers can use the online postcode checker to find out if deliveries are currently available in their area, with plans to expand reach in the future.
Alongside this, Harry Gow stores are still open in line with all current guidance. Customers visiting stores are asked to wear masks unless medically exempt, use sanitiser provided when entering the shops and maintain a two-metre distance from all customers and staff.
Web: www.harrygow.co.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/harrygowbakery
Twitter: www.twitter.com/harrygowbakery
Instagram: www.instagram.com/harrygowbakery
With so much to choose from, why not make this Valentines Day a special one with some delicious NC500 treats.
