The Kintyre Forum

Campbeltown is the worst place to get a decent meal. Except perhaps the Seafield, Ardshiel (haven't eaten there in years) and the Hot Potato shop it's all boil in the bag Brake Brothers pre-prepared stodgey crap. I used to be a regular in the White Hart for both drinks and meals but it was always poor, and overpriced. The carvery at Putechan is lovely, Beachmore was excellent, but are really reserved for special occasions. That place that used to be Dillons is awful, the Argyll is mediocre, McGochans is nasty, even the takeaways are ropey. For being a peninsula, right next to the Atlantic bloody ocean why oh why Esther can't you get local seafood in local establishments?!?!
I love Campbeltown and Kintyre dearly but doesn't this just sum up the blind stupidity that's so commonplace and is ruining the whole place. WAKE UP CAMPBELTOWN!
Sad Campbeltown Lover

I've split this from the public houses thread in Local History and Discussion as I think it contains some very valid points and is worth further discussion.

Went to Craigard a couple of times last year and the meal was lovely

The Aqualibriam is busy through the day and the food is nice, not had a sit down meal though so cant comment on that.

A decent fish supper is out the window as it can be a hit and a miss A must is the chippy in Balloch whenever up the road
It is really dissapointing to go out and pay for food that is not up to scratch.

I had a meal in the Seafield a couple of years ago and took fish which was described as fresh caught locally and it was not it was prepacked frozen I had a right argument with the owner - the chips took so long to come that my hubby had finished his meal. The Seafield is under new owners now so hopefully that will improve.


You get a nice meal in Southend - Muneroys is just delicious

Have got to compliment the Network Center in Carradale.
Good food and service and not overpriced.

Keep it up Josie.

Was at Bellochunty last night for family meal!

Very nice, good service and patience with children!

Boaby wrote:Campbeltown is the worst place to get a decent meal. Except perhaps the Seafield, Ardshiel (haven't eaten there in years) and the Hot Potato shop it's all boil in the bag Brake Brothers pre-prepared stodgey crap. I used to be a regular in the White Hart for both drinks and meals but it was always poor, and overpriced. The carvery at Putechan is lovely, Beachmore was excellent, but are really reserved for special occasions. That place that used to be Dillons is awful, the Argyll is mediocre, McGochans is nasty, even the takeaways are ropey. For being a peninsula, right next to the Atlantic bloody ocean why oh why Esther can't you get local seafood in local establishments?!?!
I love Campbeltown and Kintyre dearly but doesn't this just sum up the blind stupidity that's so commonplace and is ruining the whole place. WAKE UP CAMPBELTOWN!
Sad Campbeltown Lover

Boaby - how long is it since you went to these establishments? You must eat alot when you are here?

A bit of a raw statement as for example you say you 'haven't eaten there for years'.

In general however, I think you have a valid point about staying in a Seaside town and lack of qualifty seafood etc. Tarbert, for example, is far smaller than Campbeltown yet boasts better eating establishments in terms of using local produce.

Bit harsh on that place that used to be Dillons is the Ceann Loch Diner and I think it is pretty good. It is really a cafe/diner afterall and it is now providing a service Campbeltown has been needing for years - open 8am to 11pm every day. Wee plug but you should try the place above called the Caledonia - very nice and bring your own bottle.

PS - McGochans doesn't sell food.

I think the standard is ever improving but the town is crying out for a pub doing good pub lunches and a restaurant with it all.

Early Sunday morning bitter cold wind - ideal time to go for breakfast - where do you go.
The Ceann Loch Diner.
A hot vegan breakfast awaits - this establishment even provides newspapers. The diner provides something for everyone - particularly for the visitor . Impressed with the attempt to provide a Scottish language menu - This place really makes all the difference - especially before a good walk in the wilds. Perhaps this is not everyones cup of tea - however the place is entirely unpretentious - clean - the staff appear friendly and sociable - The food is cooked well - the amount is adequate. The service has always been reasonably fast and friendly.
Well done Ceann Loch Diner.
PS
The tattie scone rolls and fried onion go down a treat.

Jock Strap wrote: - town is crying out for a pub doing good pub lunches and a restaurant with it all.

The Royal Hotel was the place to go in 70's and 80's for a bar lunch. The place was always mobbed and sometimes you would have to wait for a seat.

It was good plain cooking, plenty of it and always served on time. Fish wasn't frozen packeted rubbish. All the dishes including the soup were homemade that morning....and unlike the excuses for chairs we are subjected to today the seats were not there for looks but for comfort... All in all a pleasant experience.

I notice now when you go into any of establishments that the upholsered seats are always higher that the tables so you end up bent over the plate. Not too good for the digestion!!

Not really fair to blanket all establishments with the faults of some but if there is anywhere local that can provide the same ambience, food and service that the Davie's provided all those years ago in the Royal I would be delighted to try them out.....I don't think it's too much to ask?

By the way apart from Muneroy in Southend there is nowhere that serves a decent high tea and hasn't been since Babettes day. IMHO

History wrote:

Jock Strap wrote: - town is crying out for a pub doing good pub lunches and a restaurant with it all.

By the way apart from Muneroy in Southend there is nowhere that serves a decent high tea and hasn't been since Babettes day. IMHO

The high teas at Babettes were second to none.
My pals folks always took us there on his birthday for years, followed by a night at the pictures, great times.

I would recommend Dunvalaree, in Carradale. It was one of the best meals I have eaten anywhere, not just on kintyre.
We tend to take visitors to the distillery to the Craigard, great food with a nice view of the loch.
I've still to try Dalnaspidal, although I've heard very good reports.

we were at dalnaspidal last friday nite and i must say it was excellent couldnt say a bad word about it. and as for the meal out of this worls best ive had in a long time.
i would say that the caledonia is fantastic aswell.

Dalnaspidal : Excellent

Craigard : Excellent

Carradale Hotel : Superb - if you are looking for seafood go there.

Caledonia : Excellent

Putechan : Was there at the weekend and again excellent.

Perhaps Boaby you want to open your eyes to what is around you. Going by your post it is along time since you ate in the area???

Thought I'd post this to remind everyone how excellent and accommodating Muneroy is. Went for lunch today for my daughter's birthday and, as per usual, Francis and Iain (and their staff) provided a superb service. This was my daughter's birthday cake which was made by Francis:




It was goooood!!!!

Argyll Hotel at Bellochantuy is great and has stunning views.

Argyle Hotel Bellochantuy

Two visits.
Visit One. 11-30am. Mid May - camping on Seven Mile Stone beach. We decided to leave the car and walk the couple of miles to the hotel. Lovely small public bar very quiet - staff and owner very friendly - shortly after arriving - I went into the gents toilet - low and behold the owners Father came in a few minutes later. Glasgow accents and ink markers sprang to mind. However the toilets where recently revamped - obviously his pride and joy. I must have - you can take the man out of Maryhill - but you can't take Maryhill out of the man - look.
Anyway we really enjoyed our visit and had a lovely bar lunch. We met a couple on holiday from the midlands - The conversation revolved around Parkinson's Disease. We had noticed some of the symptoms in the mans gait and walk - the hand tremble and that far away look of the eyes. Fiona's Dad had been diagnosed Twenty years beforehand. So we decided to give the man some hope. nice people. A really enjoyable visit all round.

Visit Two. 6-30pm. Glasgow Fair Saturday. (following year) Again we decided to walk. Expectations were high and added some brisk to our step. If you are out in the fresh air all day - the thought of a warm cooked meal in the evening is a must. To our surprise the place was chock a block. We went into the small public bar and had to wait quite some time to order drinks and bar suppers -imagine our horror when we where told sorry - we don't serve food in the bar. I asked if we could book a table -no came the reply we are fully booked. After the third attempt at asking -I secured two bowls of soup and crusty bread.