Ardvasar Hotel and Restaurant
Food in Scotland
Peter Murphy heads North and samples somes Highland hospitality.
The Highlands and Islands of Scotland are beautiful at any time of year but autumn brings its own spectacular attractions with a riot of changing colours.
Even when the temperature has started to drop the rugged north and west is still a popular haunt with visitors and one place that is guaranteed to be on any itinerary is the legendary island of Skye. The recently built bridge at Kyle of Lochalsh is certainly the surest way of getting to Skye but the most traditional, and romantic, route is by ferry from Mallaig to Armadale.
The Ardvasar Hotel and Restaurant in Armadale, therefore, is perfectly placed and is the first port of call for those straight off the ferry and in search of the best that Skye has to offer. A popular stopping off point for those planning to travel further up to Portree and Dunvegan, the Ardvasar enjoys fantastic views over the Sound of Sleat to the mountains of Knoydart.
The restaurant offers an appetising � la carte menu featuring such delights as fresh Sleat potted crab with avocado mousse and baked local scallops with bacon and grape au gratin followed by succulent desserts such as chocolate mousse layer cake with blueberry sauce.
Starters including homemade soup of the day and smoked salmon or salmon mousse come in at around �3-�4. The menu changes daily and the Ardvasar's specialities like herb crunch chicken supreme in lemon and butter sauce, the grilled sirloin or fried herring are all well worth sampling. In all a great three-course meal can be enjoyed for under �15 per person on average and it is worth booking ahead particularly in summer.
Good wholesome bar food is also available with basket meals such as chicken, cod and scampi, all with chips and salad, varying from around �3.50 to �7. And as the only pub in the village, the place really comes alive in the evenings with a mixed clientele of locals, tourists and students from Sabhal Mor Ostaig, the local Gaelic college.
So you can wash your meal down with some fine local ale and, if your lucky, you'll be accompanied by the sound of the fiddle! And of course, the hotel itself is a 3-star establishment with an eye on traditional Highland hospitality and prices for doubles, including breakfast, range from �70 to �80 pounds with singles around �40.
Ardvasar Hotel and Restaurant
Ardvasar Sleat
Isle of Skye
SCOTLAND
IV45 8RS
Telephone:(01471)844223
