A north-east family who donated £9,000 to a cancer treatment centre had their generosity rewarded on the Isle of Lewis with a very special dinner.
Aberdeenshire’s “Kilted Chef” – Craig Wilson, the owner of Eat On the Green – offered his culinary craftsmanship as a prize at the Friends of Anchor masked ball last year.
And it was grabbed by the local Donald family, with the chef flying them to Lewis for a taste of Stornoway on the “foodie adventure” last week.
They were treated to a resplendent meal, featuring the island’s iconic black pudding, and a concoction of seafood from local waters.
The dinner formed part of a two-day journey to the island.
The masked ball is held to raise money for the charity’s unit at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary every year and raised a huge £84,000.
Mr Wilson took over the five-star Lewis Longhouse in order to cook up the dish – which featured smoked scallops and squid, Harris gin mayonnaise and locally-sourced black pudding.
And he also served up a transcendent fruit pudding, langoustine, curried eggs, a smoked cheese fruit cake and a peaty whisky complete with seasoned heather.
The meal was served, following some local entertainment in the form of a Gaelic musician and a Highland dancer.
Mr Wilson also took the Donald family on a tour of Stornoway, including visits to Charles Macleod butchers, Island Shellfish and the Stornoway Smokehouse.
He even took them to Stornoway pier to cook up some of the local foodstuffs, and interviewed locals to find out more about Lewis’ culinary history.
Mr Wilson said: “We have some of the finest produce here in Scotland, and in the islands, they are just unsung heroes.
“The couple who won the auction donated a phenomenal donation for the charity. So I wanted to pull out all the stops.
“We tried to use as local and as honest ingredients to the area as we could. It is really just an overwhelming feeling how generous the islanders have been. They were very warm and very humble people.
“I think the relaxed way of life probably gets people to appreciate their surroundings and the fruits of their labours as well.
“It was a really good trip. It was one of the highest bidding items at the ball and I suppose I came with a bit of pressure. I wanted to exceed expectations.”