‘I wish it was my local’: A trip to Pitlochry’s McKays Hotel and Restaurant
Sponsored Editorial with McKays Hotel
Travelling through the Cairngorms in winter can be a magical experience, and luck was on my side as the first proper snow of the year had just fallen as I sat on the train from Inverness to Pitlochry.
Snapshots of a winter wonderland were the perfect preparation for a festive short trip. I have always loved my pit-stops in the Perthshire town, mostly whisky-led ones but I was eager to enjoy a couple of days in the warmth of its cafes.
My friend and I arrived on a sub-zero, chilly weeknight so it was a relief to be able to step into the cosy and warm walls of our hotel for the night - the McKays.
The hotel and restaurant - as well as a popular fish & chips shop - occupy a charming building, which looks like one of the convivial inns of old.
As you step into the pub and restaurant you immediately feel welcome, with friendly staff, a fireplace in the middle of the room happily crackling whilst customers enjoy some tempting-looking cocktails during the pub’s special happy hour, whilst some enjoy a late snack or an early dinner.
The restaurant area is well separated by the rooms, going from the chatty environment to the quiet set of corridors, with lovely posters and archive pictures on the walls.
Rooms with a view
Our room is wide and spacious, with a lovely bow window looking over the main road and the hills behind the station (that we would discover in the morning).
A lovely coffee table and two armchairs by the window make for a lovely nook in which to sit and read or work in front of a hot cup of tea or coffee. Spacious twin beds with a lovely decorative touch are a great promise for a good night's sleep.
In the bathroom, we find toiletries by The Highland Soap company, always a favourite as they have some wonderful aromas.
After a short break to chill and warm up, we head down to taste some of the restaurant’s delicacies.
A pleasant surprise
We sit at a table near the window, in a quieter part of the room. One thing I love instantly of this place is that both the hotel and pub are dog friendly, so there are many customers accompanied by their four-legged sidekicks (pet therapy is assured).
A pleasant discovery is that Thursday nights are pub quiz nights so we start our meal with something to look forward to - and having entertainment indoors on such a cold night is after all, even more pleasant than usual, and apparently, McKays is quite the place for some evening entertainment and live music.
I am impressed by the variety of the menu - the restaurant offers many dishes which are fantastic pub classics (and fajitas, which are extremely tempting) and a seasonal menu on the side with more elaborate recipes.
For starters, I am sold for the scallops and I strongly believe this is one of the best ways I’ve had them in my life: pan-fried and served on top of a beans and chickpea cassoulet. One recipe I want to replicate at home.
As mains, I try the roasted butternut squash, pancetta and chestnut barley risotto, which is wonderfully flavourful and filling, just what the doctor prescribed. That’s what you want to have after a day out in the chilly winter breeze, it’s a wholesome and comforting meal.
The drinks list is also rather impressive: a good selection of wines and ales and of course some great single malts!
However, we spotted some great recipes on the cocktail menu as well so, so to accompany our downfall in the pub quiz (but we did have a lot of fun in the process), we ordered two wonderful dessert cocktails (mine is a decadent Brandy Alexander with cognac, creme de cacao and cream) and a scrumptious White Russian.
To pick our spirits up - after arriving last at the quiz - we treat ourselves to a couple of hot toddies, the perfect nightcap to soothe the soul after a debacle, and to send you off to a good night of sleep.
Off to a great start
In our warm and comfy beds, we both have a good night of sleep before heading out for some exploring and festive shopping.
First, we fuel up with a wholesome breakfast of eggs royale and pancakes to kick off the day. Another thing I would like to take home with me from the breakfast space is the stunning wall decoration in front of the kitchen: it’s a bookshelf, a whisky shelf and tastefully decorated with objects that seem to be antiquary shop finds. Unusual and gives the place a wonderful personality - alongside the many golf clubs floating on the ceiling.
I love the character of this place, and leave the building wishing this was our local pub - we were really made to feel at home.
