Edinbane Lodge, a restaurant with rooms on the Isle of Skye, has been awarded Four AA Rosettes – the only restaurant across the entire Highlands to attract this level of award.
Run by Chef Patron Calum Montgomery, Edinbane Lodge is one of just six restaurants in Scotland with the award, placing it amongst an elite 2 per cent of restaurants in the UK.
Four Rosettes is denoted by the AA as “among the top restaurants in the UK, where the cooking demands national recognition.
"These restaurants exhibit intense ambition, a passion for excellence, superb technical skills, and remarkable consistency.
"They will combine appreciation of culinary traditions with a passionate desire for further exploration and improvement”.
The award coincides with the publication of the 2023 guidebook.
Calum and his family bought the 16th century derelict hunting lodge in 2017 and, following a complete renovation, opened the restaurant in August 2018 and the four bedrooms in May 2019.
Within one year of opening Edinbane Lodge had been awarded Five AA Gold Stars for its accommodation and Three Rosettes for its food.
Upon achieving Four Rosettes Calum said: “I’m both delighted and humbled to have received this accolade.
"It’s incredible. Not just for me, but the whole team. It underlines our commitment to showcasing the very best produce Skye has to offer.
"I think it’s great that we have been recognised on such a national scale and put in the same category as restaurants we have admired from afar for many years."
Calum added that he couldn't have achieved the award without his team and the support of his wife.
He said: "We've been so successful because of the team first and foremost. I couldn’t do any of this without them and the support of my wife Eilidh and my whole family.
"I think a lot of it is down to being really hard on myself, pushing to make ourselves better every day and over analysing every aspect of everything we do."
Edinbane Lodge’s four, six and ten course tasting menu celebrates the Isle of Skye natural larder together with an appreciation of culinary traditions and heritage.
Calum, who was born and raised on Skye, sources produce from a community of family and friends, who share the same values and commitment to the produce and make the most of the island’s crofts, seas, and artisan production.
A menu that evokes a true taste of Skye and takes you on a memorable culinary adventure of the flavours, textures, and colours of the seasonal ingredients that grow in abundance on the isle.
Dishes change regularly dependent on availability, which could include Hand dived Isle of Rona Scallops, Oyster Beignets with Edinbane Scurvygrass, Waternish Crab and Lobster Mousse and Torvaig Beef with Pickled Carrots and Chanterelles.
Now the coveted four AA Rosettes has been achieved, is Calum aiming for a Michelin star? He said: "If we do, fantastic.
"If not, I won’t be changing anything we do anytime soon. I’m more happy, confident and comfortable cooking and serving the style of food we serve now than at any time before in my entire career.
"I couldn’t be happier with the style of service and food we deliver.
"Awards like the one is great recognition for the respect we have for our trade and the ingredients we are privileged to use every day."
Calum and the team were awarded at a dinner last night (26 September) in London where he said they celebrated with 'plenty of champagne and a few dance moves!'
A for plans for the future, Calum is going to just keep doing what he does best, "maintain a happy, healthy workplace for everyone and proudly showcase the very best of Skye."
Edinbane Lodge is open Wednesday to Saturday.
For lunch there is a choice of either the four course Tasting Menu (£55) and the Six course Tasting Menu (£75). For dinner enjoy the full ten course tasting menu, £115 with the option to include a wine pairing, £80.
The lead-in rate for bedrooms is £260 through to £360.
Find out more and book via the Edinbane Lodge website.
