Carbost Restaurant Guide

“What an experience! Lobster and chips from a cardboard plate, sitting on a wall in the open air” – overlooking the Talisker distillery, Paul McGlynn’s shed was an extension of his oyster-farming business, opening as a full ‘seafood kitchen’ nine years ago. It’s “takeaway only, though they provide barrels for you to stand around and enjoy the fish”. “We had a couple of oysters each, four large scallops each with chips and shared a whole lobster, with change from £50”. Top Tip – BYOB.

“The tasting menu is a real journey around Skye, sampling the best of local produce” at Calum Montgomery’s converted hunting lodge (built in 1543, revamped in 2018) – the ten-course meal is £125 per person. The result is “some of the most exciting cooking you will find, with THE freshest and most local Scottish produce”. But while all reports here say results are “unbeatable”, they still haven’t been blessed with a star by the tyre manufacturers based in Clermont-Ferrand… just a matter of time surely?

“Some of the freshest and best seafood in the UK” (“the double-dived local scallops were divine; but everything was excellent!”) is provided by chef Scott Davies at this celebrated former crofter’s cottage, which was established over 40 years ago by Shirley & Eddie Spear, then sold to the Wee Hotel Company run by Gordon Campbell Grey in 2019. As an overall experience it’s “simply spot on” – “a delightful table, with amazing views and passionate matching of tastes and textures”.