Scotland the best
Fab fish ‘n’ chips Enjoy the tastiest takeaways from Scotland’s superb fish ‘n’ chip shops. Here are four of the best
Ashvale
Original restaurant in Aberdeen at 42-48 Great Western Road; three other city branches. Restaurant/takeaway à la Harry Ramsden (stuck to dripping for long enough but changed to vegetable oil in ’09). Various sizes of haddock, sole, plaice. Homemade stovies etc all served fresh, so you do wait. The Ashvale is an institution. Open for takeaways and delivery 4.30pm-8pm. theashvale.com
Valente’s
Ask directions or use satnav to this superb chippie in east of Kirkcaldy; worth the detour and the queue when you get there. They also make ice cream. Queue outside to place your order. Open 4pm-9pm except Wednesday (closed) and Thursday (noon-9pm). valentes.co.uk
Catch
The smartest, most thought-through F&C shop/café in town (186 Fenwick Road, Giffnock, Glasgow). Seasoned restaurateurs behind this 2015 venture on a suburban strip. Starters from Cullen skink to salt & chilli squid, through to proper puds, via all the fish in the sea (maccy cheese with lobster, anyone?). They pride themselves on the batter; they’re not wrong! Good for the family tea. Use rapeseed oil. Open for delivery or pick-up, Monday-saturday 11.30am-10pm, Sunday 11.30am-9pm. catchfishandchips.co.uk
The Fishmarket
In a Victorian building right on Newhaven harbour, Edinburgh, a new café/restaurant and fish ’n’ chips takeaway, a collaboration between Edinburgh fishmonger royalty Welch’s and Ondine. We wouldn’t expect anything less than the best here and, though the Loch Fyne cafeteria is next door, this was the Edinburger foodie choice from the first fling of the net. Fish without fuss. Open 11am-10pm for collection or delivery. thefishmarketnewhaven.co.uk
Peter Irvine is the author of the essential travel guide Scotland the Best published by Collins, priced £15.99