the Best Serving dldelicious soup, paninis, sandwiches and home cooked meals, Pete Irvine’s top picks of the best the region has to offer 7Days aweek. from he 12th edition of Scot- £6.00 land the Best, Pete Irvine’s YLSPECIAL FEATURE award-winning travel Raemoir Road, Banchorytel: 01330 820813 T guide, is published www.cowshedrestaurant.co.uk this month. “It’s been awhile and jings, it takes awhile, but Ihavebeen up and down these lands again,” said Pete. “From my point of view, from the car,the restaurant table and the DEESIDE’SFARM SHOP & TEAROOM hilltop, Scotland is looking better than ever. Serving delicious breakfasts, “I hope thatthis is evident from lunches and traditional the 2,000+ entries –the shortlist from ahugely expanding long-list– afternoon teas. in abook which, tryasImight to be Open 7days until 5pm. concise, justgetsbigger.” Here Pete selects afew of his 01330 850710 www.finzean.com favourite places found in the north and north-east. HOTELS ● Marcliffe at Pitfodels, Drum Castle near Banchory has been the seat of the Irvines for 24 generations Pitfodels Set in 11 acres of beautifully manicured and secluded parkland only On the edgeoftown, asuccessful seafood. Good wine; huge clinical), with superior sakes, beers people miss. AveryHouse & dovecote, 1km to cliff, then left from 20 minutes from Aberdeen, Raemoir House provides everything 23 WindmillBrae, from Morning Coffee, Bar Meals, Champagne Afternoon Teas to mix of intimate and spacious, the specialitybeer selection. Cove itself and wine list. And credible Garden experience, though in the ruin viewpoint. Cullykhan Bay Michelin recommended dining seven days aweek. With fantastic Aberdeen AB11 6HU old (mansion house) and the newer has ahaunting beauty. Catterline is edibles. summer it’s stuffed with people as EofGardenstown signed from the T. 01224 210677 stock available from Grampian’s abundant larder you can be assured wing are still personally run by the Joan Eardley(notable artist) ● Le Café Bohème, Windmill well as plants. coastroad (200m to small car park). that your dining experience, whether private or in the Bar or Dining OPEN Spence family: StewartSpence the territory. It’s also famous for this Brae, Aberdeen ● Drum Castle (the Irvine Asmall beach but greatlittoral for Room, are amongst the best in the area. With its 18 luxuriously Tuesday -Saturday appointed bedrooms you can stay in relaxed comfort from just one 12 -1.45 &6pm -9pm consummate hotelier; his son Ross greatatmospheric pub and its Authentic French bistro, atmos Ancestral Home), nr Banchory beach scrambling and full of night or why not take exclusive use of all of them and have your own CLOSED is head chef. Their manypics on grub. and food in an area thatgetsdrunk Please forgive this, the longest surprises). Sunday &Monday Downton experience for that special occasion. the piano with the famous (both ● Café Cognito, St Swithin at weekends. Here, all is calm with entryinthis section. For24 ● Lunan Bay, nr Montrose Tucked awayinalane in Aberdeen’s citycentre, CafeBoheme is Raemoir House Hotel, Banchory, , Scotland AB31 4ED Margarets –the princess and Mrs Street, Aberdeen style and good service. Food proper generations this has been the seat Adeep red crescent beach under a T: 01330 824884 •www.raemoir.com asmallintimate restaurant bridging the world between modern Thatcher; and thatother T, Donald Unlikely sharing of premises with a French from chefJohn Pattillo, àla of the Irvines. My ain folk. Four wide northern sky. TheBut ‘n’ Ben and traditional Frenchcuisine,with atwist of individualityand passion. Originally from Provence,Dominique has been enthusing Trump) attesttothis hotel’s nail bar,where ladies have their carte and plats du jour (especially times I’ve signed the visitor book in Auchmithie, is an excellent place Aberdeen with his passionfor tantalizing food for 30 years. He has enduring primacy. Excellent nails done in akind of pod at the seafood). Bestplace to eatbyfar in and each time have wandered to startorfinish and good approach created afamilyrun restaurant, with acosy atmosphereand has a restaurant and breakfastinlight side. Doesn’t detractthough from this partofthe citycentre. through the accumulated history (from south), although Gordon’s long running relationship with his staff and customers. conservatorywith nice courtyard this buzzy,popular café from hopeful of identifying with restaurant at Inverkeilor is closer. and terrace overlooking gardens. breakfastthrough lunch to supper. FISH &CHIPS something.Gifted to one William Youcan climb up to the Red Castle. Spa facilities (no pool). So busy it is thatsometimes atad ● TheBay,Stonehaven De Irwin by Robertthe Bruce, it Lunan is often deserted. TheLunan Situated in the heart of the west end, serving breakfast including Honeymoon suites are fab; there cramped through the back (I say On the prom towards the open-air combines the original keep (the BayDiner is at the car park –it’s OK. porridge, bacon muffins, granola aremanyweddings and rollicking getrid of the nails). One of the few pool, justlook for the queue almost oldestintacttower house in 100m to the beach. St Cyrus north &bircher pots, Aberdonian functions. This places you can getanactual always there. They really do come Scotland), aJacobean mansion and of Montrose (a nature reserve) also home made scones...... understated hotel caters for all and Aberdeen buttery(you musttry) from miles away (and to Aunty Victorian expansionism. Hugh alovely littoral to wander. Forlunch, freshly made is unquestionably one of the best for your brekkie (better than Betty’s ice-cream shop next door). Irvine, the family ‘artist’, whose ● Finzean Farm Shop & sandwiches, paninis &salads, delicious cakes and pastries. all-round hotels in Scotland. To croissants). All is cooked to order.You wait and extravagant self-portrait as the Tearoom, Deeside wide concern and disappointment ● TheTippling House, Belmont walk on the front –perfect! TheBay Angel Gabriel raised eyebrows in On the south side of the river on Over 24 flavours of delicious ice cream including milk shakes and sundaes or hot waffles - there was awobble in 2014 when St, Aberdeen wins manyawards. 1810, does seem likemykind of B976 between Banchoryand OPEN 7DAYSPER WEEK .... this grand old Deeside Duchess Through adoor by an interesting ● TheDolphin Café, Peterhead chap; at leastmore interesting Aboyne on the Farquharson Check out our Facebook page for more information. might have been unseated. window and down afew stairs in By the harbour,where the fish than mostofmysoldiering family’s Finzean estate. Kate and 39 St Swithin39 St SwithinStreet, AberdeenStreet, AB10 6XL Happily,there’s no keeping those The immaculate Dunrobin Castle Gardens, Golspie busy-with-riff-raffBelmont Street come from, so you don’t getcloser forebears. Give me awindow seat Catriona’s foodie haven, ashowcase AberdeenTelephoneAB10012246XL209727 Spences out of the palace. into amore calm and cool with to the source than this. Serving the in thatlibrary. Grounds have an for local suppliers, in glorious open ● Raemoir House, Banchory hands-on, with agreatteam; you ● TheBoatInn, Aboyne ● Buchanan’s, Banchory itself world. More of a fishermen (from 5am), as well as exceptional walled rose garden countryside with views to the hills Romantic, quirkycountrymansion will be looked after.From the Recent refitand big upliftoflong- Adjacent to Woodend Barn arts restaurant/cocktail bar than mere us; it’s acommunitything.The (Easter-Oct11am-4.15pm). from the terrace. Local and with old-fashioned, veryindividual kitchen uncomplicated, delicious serving riverside inn, with comfy, centre (home to an eclectic, quality pubberyhere. Small plates and cold NorthSea outside (no, we Jul/Aug: Seven days 11am-4pm carefully sourced produce The Bay comfyrooms given contemporary dining (newchefsince Iwas there). contemporary, inexpensive rooms, mix of music, theatre and film), the sharing platters, with imaginative wouldn’t want to go there). (lastadmission), Mar-Jun: Thu- beautifully presented fresh and details. Flowers, pictures, candles There’s lots of public space to and agreatbar and food operation bistro in the barn is a combos. And great‘sliders’ Mon, winter Sat/Sun. Tower can be frozen. Meat and game from the •FISH &CHIPS • at night. TheHa’ Hoose (from 1715) slouch in. Stafflargely local downstairs. Eileen and David contemporary, urbane, informed (burgers). Food served until one THINGS TO DO AND climbed for greatviews. Some estate. Cool cookbooks. Hotdishes The Bay Fish &Chips in Stonehaven serves behind predates the hotel. and all friendly.This place has the Haywood and agood team have eaterie on the edgeofBanchory, the hour before bar closes so this is the PLACES TO VISIT pleasant walks from the car park. till 3pm. Cakes thatdon’t rely on locally sourced, sustainable fish and chips Extensive grounds (helicopter perfectpeace and quietand is floated this boatand made it a prospering heartofRoyal Deeside. place to eatlate. ● Dunrobin Castle Gardens, Newgalleryspace showing (until cream, and the mother-in-law’s from their shop on the Stonehaven seafront. pad). Owner Neil Rae is very decidedly Deeside. Deeside destination for good Valand Calum Buchanan have an ● Food Story, Thistle St, Golspie Mar2017) excellent contemporary Victoria sponge. Book first. Owned by Calum Richardson, the Bay is a gastropub food, including on Tue enlightened grow-your-own Aberdeen. TheVersailles-inspired gardens artfrom Aberdeen ArtGallery. ● Hammerton Store, Aberdeen market leader when it comes to sustainability,provenance and (pie night), Wed(fish) and Thu approach (there are allotments out Food Story’s storyisagreat thatsit below the opulent ● MorayCoast On road westtoDeeside environmentally friendly business practice. (local produce). They are known back) and this airybistro Aberdeen story. From small Highland chateau of the Dukes of Many greatbeaches along coast somewhere in asuburb. Susan Contact: info@thebayfishandchips.com |01569 762000 for their fish &chips. Same menu demonstrates the bestkind of rural takeawaybeginnings they Sutherland. Terraced, parterred from SpeyBay to , Watson’s love affair with Aberdeen Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday12pm –10pm in bar and restaurant. There is re-creation. Their daily breads are expanded into larger premises and immaculate, theystretch to notably Cullen and Lossiemouth and life. Notonly adeli, more a www.thebayfishandchips.com simply nowhere else to eatofan fantastic. Icould eathere everyday nearby,then knocked them into the sea. 30 gardeners once tended (town beaches), and New superior provider where essentials eve; thankfully it’s as good as it is. (and would be so much whatisnow aspacious always them, now there are four but little Aberdour and ,both include art, travelling rugs, cool healthier). ambient café to hang out in and eat has changed since theyimpressed quieter places for walks and pottery, cookerybooks and mine. FOOD AND DRINK ● Marine Hotel, Stonehaven ethically and heartily.Acouple of amore exclusive clientele. picnics. Twoofthe greatsecret Susan properly selects and sources DOLPHIN CAFE ● TheCow Shed, Banchory Popular local on agreatharbour meaty items but mostly vegetarian ● Crathes Castle nr Banchory beaches on this coastare: everything.Provenance is not an Just outside this expanding with seats outside and always a and vegan. Creative approach to One of the mostinteresting tower Sunnyside near where idle gesture –she goes to Gigha and Dine while overlooking Deeside hub on Raemoir Road, crowd. Six guestales, big Belgian lounging,living and lunch. Lara houses surrounded by terrific you walk pastthe incredible ruins brings back the halibut. Tables the harbour Fish and Chips essentially in the country–you and wheat-beer selection, and their and Sandy have done agood thing topiaryand walled gardens of of Findlater Castle on the clifftop outside where you can snack and look to the hills. Graham Buchan’s own brew–6°N.Food till 9pm. here. inspired design and tranquillity (how did theybuild it? Aplace, on reflecthow nice it would be to have our Speciality light, big-windowed restaurant Upstairs dining room overlooks ● Yatai Izakaya, Langstane (though you’re unlikely to have any its grassed-over roof,for apicnic) aplace likethis in your and cook school has ano-frills the boat-bobbing bay. Same menu; Place, Aberdeen partofittoyourself). Keen and down to acove which on my neighbourhood. There are alot of Serving from 5am -7pm Mon-Fri and menu. Some chefs justaccord with local fish specials. Anycitywould be pleased to have gardeners will be in their scented sunnyday was simply perfect. artisan gins in thatcabinettoget 11am -7.30pm Saturday (closed Sunday) one’s taste and Graham does. I ● TheCreel Inn, Catterline, nr this Japanese eaterie with tapas- heaven. TheGolden Garden (after Signed (Findlater) from A98. Take through. 25 HARBOUR ST PETERHEAD could eatjustabout everything on Stonehaven style eating (Omakase) in ambient Gertrude Jekyll) works particularly aleftfrom Sandend 16km Wof ● Scotland the Bestispublished 01779 478595 this light and easy-to-love menu. Perching above the bayfrom where rooms up and down (Japanese well and there’s awild garden Banff, follow road for 2km. Park in by Collins and is priced The Cow Shed, Banchory has alight and easy-to-love menu Local and lovely. the lobsters come. And lots of other restaurants often minimal, even beyond the old wall thatmany the farmyard. Walk from here past at £15.99.