Applecross Inn, Portree

Celebrated table

Applecross Inn

Judith Fish's celebrated inn offers award-winning Scottish seafood, dram-filled hospitality, and sweeping Isle of Skye views at the end of the legendary Bealach Na Bà pass.

The story

Applecross Inn: Good Food Guide Recognition for Scottish Seafood in Wester Ross

A long-standing culinary tradition

At the Applecross Inn in Wester Ross, Judith Fish MBE guides a kitchen that has earned multiple awards since she took the helm in 1989. The Good Food Guide recognises this spot at the foot of the Bealach Na Bà pass for legendary food and drink, a standing maintained through a focus on ingredients pulled straight from the Inner Sound. Hand-dived scallops arrive alongside plump Applecross Bay prawns and langoustines served in hot garlicky butter, proving the Scottish seafood here remains the central pillar of the menu.

Distinctive plates and generous servings

Guests frequently return for the haggis flambéed in Drambuie, a dish described as a plate-scraping show-stealer, or opt for the seafood linguine dressed in champagne butter sauce. The kitchen maintains a wide scope beyond the coast, serving chunky haddock and chips, steaks, burgers, and even Thai curry alongside the local catch. Every plate arrives in substantial portions, and the staff cater to various requirements with specific vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free alternatives ready to order.

Old-school atmosphere and coastal views

Inside, the dining room retains a character defined by red carpets, orange pine panelling, and fairy lights draped along the bar. A large wood-burner provides warmth while sixteen tables face outward toward sweeping views of the Isle of Skye and Raasay. Beyond the doors, picnic tables cluster above a rocky beach where diners take in the salt air, and a retro silver airstream caravan operates from the shore to serve fish and chips, ice cream, and fresh coffee. The bar counters hold over fifty single malt whiskies and taps pumping ale from the nearby Applecross Brewery.

Traditional sweet finishes

Sweet endings mirror the generous sizing of the savoury courses, with regulars choosing between a hearty fruit crumble and a well-made cranachan. This traditional Scottish pudding brings together fresh raspberries, cream, whisky, toasted oats, and meringue for a distinctive finish. The dessert selection rounds out a menu that pairs easily with the extensive wine list and broad range of spirits kept behind the bar.

Recognition

Awards & accolades

2026
The Good Food Guide
Good

Ambience

A glimpse inside

Details

At a glance

The Good Food Guide 2026 — Good
Cuisines Scottish, Seafood
Services Accomedation, Bar, Dietary Accommodations, Dinner, Fine Dining, Gluten-Free, Kids friendly, Live Entertainment, Lunch, Outdoor Seating, Parking, Pets Allowed, Table Service, Vegan, Vegetarian, Wi-Fi

History

On the record

2026
The Good Food Guide — Good

The Applecross Inn is legendary for its food, craic and location. At the end of the nail-bitingly vertiginous Bealach Na Bà Pass, it’s the highest and one of the hairiest passes in Britain – and a highlight of the famous North Coast 500 road trip. A sign at the bottom reads ‘normally impassable in wintery conditions.’ The less intrepid can curve around the coast from Sheildaig. Run by Judith Fish MBE since 1989, this whitewashed pub with rooms attracts a steady stream of bikers and campervan holidaymakers ready for a nerve-calming dram (there are over 50 malt whiskies on offer) or a pint of ale from the locally owned Applecross Brewery. Outside, a smattering of picnic tables huddle above a rocky beach with dreamy wide-angle views over to the Isle of Skye and Raasay, while a converted silver airstream caravan (the Inn-Side Out) offers fish and chips, ice cream and coffee to go. Inside, it’s properly old-school, shabby but not chic: red carpets, orange pine panelling, the bar strung with fairy lights, a large wood-burner. The menu naturally showcases local seafood: Applecross Bay prawns or langoustines swimming in hot, garlicky butter; plump hand-dived scallops; local oysters; smoked salmon and crab. In terms of portion size, read: huge. Haggis flambéed in Drambuie is a plate-scraping show-stealer, while a luxurious special of seafood linguine in Champagne butter sauce is worth the hefty price tag. The menu also includes excellent fish and chunky chips (haddock, of course, as this is Scotland) alongside steaks, burgers, Thai curry and vegetarian chilli. Desserts are in the same vein, huge portions of pub classics ranging from fruit crumble to cranachan, a muddle of fresh raspberries, cream, whisky, oats and meringue.

Established

Location

Find us

Shore Street, Wester Ross, Highlands & Islands, IV54 8LR
Portree, United Kingdom
01520 744262
hello@applecrossinn.co.uk
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Map showing Applecross Inn