9 Food & drink award winners

It was three cheers for MacGregor’s Bar when they were recently crowned winners for ‘Best Bar or Pub’ at the Scottish Thistle Awards. Founded by Bruce MacGregor, this lively pub scene will give you a warm Highland welcome with their selection of Scottish craft beers, spirits and local food and drink to try. Fancy a night of live entertainment? The pub offers live music 7 days a week, shining a spotlight on the finest traditional folk musicians to help get you up dancing in no time!

Pies are a comfort food classic and the WeeCook Kitchen certainly delivers those high expectations. Winners of the ‘Best Eatery Experience’ at the Scottish Thistle Awards, this family-run restaurant serves all kinds of mouth-watering pie fillings, from beef steak bourguignon to chicken and bacon. The WeeCook Kitchen don’t just specialise on pies though, you’ll find special seafood dishes, delicious home baking and their signature ‘Hanger Kebabs’ on the menu too.

Crowned the ‘Food Tourism Award’ at the Scottish Thistle Awards, the Thyme Bistro in Aberfeldy take great pride in promoting artisan food producers from across Scotland. Serving breakfast, brunch and lunch, you’ll find classics such as Scottish smoked salmon, all-day breakfasts and homemade cakes. On weekends you can head out on a farm tour. You’ll even get to meet and feed some of the animal residents!

Found on the shores of Loch Fyne, The George Hotel is the place to be if you want to taste Scotland’s national drink. Scooping up ‘Whisky Bar of the Year’ at the SLTN Awards (Scottish Licensed Trade News), it’s the perfect place for a nightcap while you snuggle up by the open fire. With 120 whiskies, 40 gins and a wide selection of spirits to choose from at the bar, there is something for everyone’s tastebuds.

Enjoy a fresh meal straight from the sea at the Coll Hotel. This island gem retained its title for ‘Scottish Casual Dining Restaurant of the Year’ at the SLTN Awards and is a favourite amongst locals and visitors. Working closely with local suppliers, the menu showcases the very best of Coll and Argyll with lobster, crab and langoustine freshly caught by local fishermen and Hebridean lamb sourced from local farms. The restaurant even makes its own breads, ice cream, spaghetti and desserts from scratch.

Downright Gabbler had stars in their eyes when they took home ‘Best Food & Drink Tourism Experience’ at the Highlands & Islands Food & Drink Awards. The restaurant always has a story to tell and what better way to learn about the history of Scotland’s food and drink than during a sit-down meal. Delve into a range of storytelling events including the Superscots supper where you’ll find out more about the amazing men and women who made their mark on Scotland.

Flying the flag for the Lothians at the Regional Scottish Thistle Awards is Drift Coffeehouse. Winners of the Food Tourism Award, the coffeehouse’s stunning cliff-top location and dedication to Scottish produce makes it the ideal brunch or lunch spot for catching up with friends and family. From Drift smokies and smoked ham hock to full Scottish breakfasts and pan seared chicken supremes, you certainly won’t go hungry here. You can even bring your own four-legged friend along for some company, they’ll be welcomed with a bowl of water and there are handy hooks under each table, so you can keep a watchful eye on them.

Combine your love of food and drink with a trip to Dumfries & Galloway. Winners of the ‘Best Eatery Experience’ at the Regional Scottish Thistle Awards, this boutique hotel takes great pride in their dishes by using locally sourced produce from multiple suppliers, including Galloway Smokehouse for their smoked meats and fresh fish and Cream o’ Galloway for their cheese and ice cream. Open daily (except Wednesdays), the menu has something for everyone. Dig into a hearty lunch with beef burgers, homemade steak pie and fish and chips. In the evening, you’ll be overwhelmed by its food offering. Start your meal with haggis bon bons or Scottish scallops and for the main event, tuck into grilled lamb rump or asparagus and wild mushroom risotto with parmesan. Of course, we can’t forget about pudding! Sweeten the deal with homemade sticky toffee pudding, cheesecake, ice cream or a selection of Scottish cheeses.

Bringing the Amalfi Coast to Edinburgh is Hey Palu. This trendy bar came out on top when it won ‘Cocktail Bar of the Year’ at the SLTN Awards and it’s really no surprise. You’ll feel like you’ve been transported on holiday whilst you sip on Italian classics with negroni, bianco spritz and blood orange sgroppino available on the menu. Feeling peckish? The staff are on hand to keep your hunger levels at bay and will provide you with a light snacks/nibbles menu. Make sure to bring your furry companion along too, tails will be wagging when they find out there’s biscuits behind the bar.