FOOD AND DRINK
THE TASTY BITS
EATING IN
We hope you have heard that Speyside (the hills beside the burns and rivers that run into The River Spey), is world famous for its tradition of producing the finest Scotch whisky and Scotch beef – delicious food and drink that people remember and want to enjoy again and again. This comes from skill, care, love and generations of commitment to excellence by local families, (many of them Grants) – from their farms and distilleries to your glasses and forks. This is the foundation of Rothiemurchus home produced traditional Highland beef, velvety venison, fresh and smoked rainbow trout and growing malting barley for distilling into whisky.
Rothiemurchus Estate Farm Shop at Rothiemurchus Centre, Inverdruie 3 mins drive from The Boat House is one of the longest established farm shops in the U.K., and the only place you can find the famed traditional aged beef from the Grants of Rothiemurchus long-established pure-bred fold of Highland cattle – the traditional black cattle of the Highlands. Its only here that you can buy fresh Rothiemurchus venison – chosen by Rick Stein as one of his first ‘food heroes’, as we only offer customers tender, mild and easy to cook venison from deer that have spent their lives on the beautiful hills and forests of Rothiemurchus.
The Farm Shop searches out and supports other small producers businesses who have the same commitment to authentic, local, traceable, ethically produced outstanding tasting food and drink and cherishes its relationships.
We have a great choice of Scottish cheeses as well as the best seasonal cheeses from the U.K. and Europe and oatcakes, shortbread, chutneys and preserves locally made from wonderful Scottish produce. It is full of deli foods and all sorts of tasty regional and alcoholic and non alcoholic tipples as well as milk, butter, locally grown veg and store cupboard staples…. and fine wines.
You can arrive to a kitchen stocked by your host from with delicious goodies from Rothiemurchus Farm shop supplemented by your order to Tesco or Sainsbury which can be delivered to the Farm shop and we will transfer to The Boat House.
Our fresh and home smoked rainbow trout availability is weather dependent. However, at last there is an outstanding family run U.K. award winning fishmonger in Aviemore which we love. This family run business offers freshly caught sea fish and shellfish from Highland fishermen
EATING OUT
The Old Bridge Inn, like the Boat House, sits by the banks of the River Spey and it’s within walking distance of the house. It’s a lovely, cosy pub with a restaurant that serves high-quality meals especially in the evening. If you’re fortunate, you might also catch one of their live music sessions.
The Cross at Kingussie – a twenty minute drive South, is an informal fine dining restaurant with eight bedrooms set in a riverside location awarded AA Three Red Rosettes for culinary excellence – the only restaurant in the Cairngorms National Park to receive this accolade. A welcoming open fire and well spaced tables. Ingredients are sourced from local estates where possible, beyond that almost solely from within Scotland but with a few international additions to achieve the very best quality products.
Just a short drive (or longish walk) away, Aviemore offers a range of bars and eateries, with Italian food and pizzas, Indian cuisine, local Scottish fare, fish and chips (and other fast food outlets), and hotel restaurants and cafés among the numerous options.
If you fancy a really exceptional epicurean encounter, however, just use the host to book a private chef for your party. The same special service can also arrange a luxury picnic for you – a bespoke al fresco experience at our private bothy near Loch an Eilein, for the honoured guests of the Boat House (please note – subject to availability).