Mingary Castle, the restaurant with rooms in a 13th century Scottish Castle on the Ardnamurchan Peninsula, has been awarded AA Restaurant with Rooms of The Year Scotland at the AA Bed and Breakfast Awards, 2024.
The 13th century Mingary Castle was restored in 2016 and opened as a restaurant with rooms in 2021 by chef and hospitality professional, Colin Nicholson. The win comes just four months after they were awarded 3 Rosettes at the AA Rosette Awards. It has already picked up 5 gold stars by AA in 2022 and has been recognised in The Times Top 100 Places to Stay in Britain’s list.
This year it won Best Restaurant Newcomer at the Scottish Excellence Awards and was a winner of the Good Hotel Guide Editor’s Choice Awards for Restaurants with Rooms. In June, Colin was crowned Scottish Chef of The Year at The Scotsman Scran Awards.
Colin Nicholson said, “Me and the team at Mingary Castle are all so delighted to have won AA Restaurant with Rooms of the Year for Scotland. To be listed amongst some of the UK’s most loved inns, B&Bs and restaurants with rooms is such an honour. We couldn’t have achieved this without the hardworking team here at Mingary, who make the Castle feel like home to every single one of the guests who stay with us. I’d also like to extend my thanks to our loyal guests – both local and from afar – who have supported us ever since we opened”.
Simon Numphud, Managing Director at AA Hotel & Hospitality Services, said, “This year we have a very rich B&B scene across the UK, showcasing an extraordinary level of individuality and the very highest of standards of hospitality.
“The calibre of the nine worthy winners represents the very best from across Scotland, Wales and England. With so many to choose from, holidaymakers can explore Britain, enjoying a comfortable sleep and delicious breakfast in an array of B&Bs wherever they decide to go.”
Chef patron, Colin Nicholson’s, restaurant serves a five or eight course tasting menu in its 20 cover dining room that changes daily and the fruit, vegetables and herbs are sourced from the local community garden that Colin is involved in. Fish is sourced from Tobermory Fish Co and Iain Stewart’s in Fort William and a local fishing boat for langoustines, crab and lobster, and Highland based Great Glen Charcuterie is used for cured meats. They also work with a local farmer who provides the pork for their homemade sausages for breakfast.