Michelin star for M’s favourite restaurant
Fine dining guide lists Scottish newcomers
IT is the ultimate accolade in the restaurant business, a prize enjoyed by only the finest establishments employing the most talented chefs.
And yesterday two Scottish restaurants joined this elite band after they were each awarded a Michelin star in the latest edition of the French culinary bible.
The Three Chimneys on Skye and the Isle of Eriska Hotel at Benderloch, Argyll – a favourite with actress Dame Judi Dench – have both been listed in the 2015 Michelin Guide.
At the same time, celebrity chef Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles retained his two Michelin stars, allowing his establishment to keep its crown as the best restaurant in Scotland.
However, the 2015 guide has turned out to be something of a mixed dish for some previous star holders. Inverlochy Castle Hotel, a popular haunt for royalty, celebrities and top politicians, has not been listed this time around.
Glenapp Castle in Ballantrae, Ayrshire, suffered the same fate.
Yesterday the guide’s editor, Rebecca Burr, said the new edition had awarded a total of 14 new stars, highlighting ‘the enormous richness and variety of the UK’s restaurant scene’.
She added: ‘They range from country pubs to hipster hangouts, for counter restaurants to classic dining rooms.’
This year’s selection also sees 26 new Bib Gourmands, which recognise restaurants offering good food at affordable prices, the limit being £28 for three courses.
Recipients include two establishments in Glasgow city centre: The Gannet and Ox and Finch.
The Isle of Eriska Hotel became a favourite with Dame Judi when she was in the Highlands filming James Bond movie Skyfall.
Its head chef is Ross Stovold, a previous Michelin Star winner who has established a special training and development ethos since taking over the kitchen last year.
He believes the recipe for success l i es i n using l ocally sourced produce, such as herbs and mushrooms from the hotel gardens and jellies and chutneys made from Eriska’s own berries.
His dishes i ncludes Mallaiglanded halibut, smoked mussels, seaweed braised potatoes and pickled oarweed.
The Three Chimneys’ award- winning kitchen, meanwhile, is under the control of chef-director Michael Smith.
He also insists on using only the finest local meats and fish for his unique menu that boasts blade and tongue of Black Isle beef with tattie scones, puy lentils, carrots, radishes and ramson soubise.
I nverlochy Castle held its Michelin star continuously from 1998-2014 and for two earlier spells, between 1994-1996 and 1982-1990. The 1 9 t h century baronial mansion, a stone’s throw from Ben Nevis, near Fort William, Invernessshire, is set in some of the finest scenery in Britain.
The long list of distinguished guests who have stayed at the hotel includes the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, as well as Charlie Chaplin, Robert Redford, Sir Sean Connery, Elton John, Barbara Cartland, Anthony Hopkins and Mel Gibson.