Scots restaurants ‘among best in UK’ after being crowned in prestigious top 100 list

FIVE Scots restaurants have been named some of the best in the UK after being listed in a prestigious Top 100.

The Estrella Damm National Restaurant Awards were launched in 2007 to celebrate the brilliance and vibrancy of the UK's eating out scene.

Each year, the top 100 is voted on by the academy of chefs, restaurateurs and food writers – as well as present a series of special awards, culminating in the unveiling of the National Restaurant of the Year.

Five Scottish businesses received enough recognition for them to earn a spot in the best places to eat in the UK.

Glenturret Lalique in Crieff, Inver near Loch Fyne, The Palmerston, Aizle and The Kitchin - all in Edinburgh- all made the National Restaurant Awards shortlist this year.

Glenturret Lalique, Crieff

At number 36 - the highest ranking for a Scottish venue - Glenturret Lalique is housed within The Glenturret whisky distillery, which has been in operation since 1763.

Chef Mark Donald, who has led the Crieff restaurant since its launch  in the summer of 2021, previously held a star at Number One at The Balmoral in Edinburgh, and was awarded one at The Glenturret Lalique within seven months of opening.

The Palmerston, Edinburgh

The Palmerston ranked at 41, opened last year in a former Bank of Scotland bank as an all-day Edinburgh restaurant and bakery from owners Lloyd Morse and James Snowdon.

It is also one of only a handful of restaurants on the list that are open for breakfast.

Inver, Argyll and Bute

Inver, located on the banks of Loch Fyne in Argyll and Bute, ranked number 80.

Located in a former crofter’s cottage and boat store on the shores of Loch, Inver is "an emphatic celebration of Scotland’s larder that displays great reverence to the provenance and quality of its local ingredients."

Chef Pamela Brunton took over the running of the Inver with her husband Rob in the spring of 2015, and with their friends and family have built the sort of place they like to spend time.