DISTILLERY RESTAURANT

Contact: Duncan Mackay, Tom Pearson
Tel: 01770 830 328 Fax:01770 830364
Email: visitorcentre@arranwhisky.com Web: www.arranwhisky.com

The new distillery's restaurant is on the upper floor of the recently built visitor centre with panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Above the mock waterfall in the atrium is an upper floor, balcony restaurant, in relaxing terra-cotta and barley tones.

Soups are original and well made, also the chefs chicken liver pate, which was attractively served with hot toast and a well-dressed salad. Fresh West Coast Haddock was full of good fresh fishy flavours while a melon and strawberry sweet came cunningly sculpted in a tier of melon rings and ice cream, finishing with a strawberry.

The bistro menu at lunchtime ranges from simple baguettes (£3.95) to more substantial main courses such as a Cumberland sausage with mustard mash (£5.45) or a pan fried rib-eye steak with peppercorn and brandy sauce (£.9.95). Dinner menus are a daily changing selection of interesting, lively choices (£8.95-£11.00 for main courses) which among other local produce may include Auchaleffan 'organic' free range chicken. For Cullen Skink lovers, or anyone who enjoys the complex flavours of a creamy finnan haddock soup, the Mackay version, which he learned from a Skye cook, is not to be missed.

Open l0am with a daytime coffee and tea snack menu which runs throughout the day until 5pm. Lunchtime bistro menu 12.00 - 2.30pm. Restaurant is closed 5pm unril 7pm when the dinner menu is available. Booking is advised for dinner. Open most of the year but call in advance to check times.