A top London restaurant is to open its doors in the Highlands at the former “Harrods of the North”.
The Falls of Shin Visitor Centre, famously once owned by Mohammed Al-Fayed, suddenly closed its doors in March until a new operator could be found for the striking centre and gift shop.
Now its owner, community group Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust, has revealed that Mac & Wild will take over.
The restaurant, set to create 20 jobs, will bring some of its most popular dishes to the Highlands, including the award winning Veni-Moo Burger, voted London’s and the UK’s Best Burger 2016.
This is a home-coming for Andy Waugh, co-founder of Mac & Wild. His family own Ardgay Game, located just six miles away from the new site. As in their London restaurants, Mac & Wild at Falls of Shin will predominantly serve meat from the family business.
Located on the River Shin, the Falls of Shin attract many tourists every year, and in the summer visitors can witness salmon leaping from the falls.
The 50 seat restaurant will also have a pavilion with outside seating for 60, and gift shop, which will stock and support local brands and producers.
There will be foraging walks and talks, haggis-making masterclasses, whisky masterclasses and meet the maker masterclasses, where guests can meet producers and suppliers. Later in the year there are plans to introduce additional workshops, with the likes of sheep shearing sessions and curing classes on the agenda.
Mr Waugh said: “Falls of Shin is an incredibly exciting project for us at Mac & Wild and offers us the opportunity to work even more closely with our producers and the ingredients growing on the doorstep. At Falls of Shin the seasons will dictate what is available to us at the restaurant and we will continually pickle, ferment, dehydrate and cure ingredients to make the most of the best produce while it is in season.”
Pete Campbell, chairman of Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust, said: “We were very impressed with the brand they have established and the traceability they showcase around their food and drink offering. This will be an exciting time for the local community and visitors alike and we wish them every success in their new venture.”
Councillor Linda Munro, chairwoman of Highland Council’s Sutherland committee, said: “I think it is really quite a coup. It’s absolutely fantastic. A local boy makes good and comes home to invest, what could be better? I’m hearing great things, there is to be lots of local produce used. What could be better?”
The visitor centre was destroyed by fire five years ago with the loss of 20 jobs. It was rebuilt by the community group.
Mac & Wild has two permanent restaurants in Central London – Mac & Wild Fitzrovia, located in the heart of London’s West End, and Mac & Wild Devonshire Square.
