Ayrshire restaurant reopens after huge makeover as part of £2.5m renovation
The Brig o' Doon in Alloway has officially reopened its restaurant after a five-month refurbishment and expansion.
Now called Tales, the restaurant inhibits a purpose-built wraparound extension which also includes a lounge bar, private dining room and elevated public spaces with views of the River Doon.
Purchased by the RAD Hotel Group from Costley & Costley in 2022, the Brig o' Doon has undergone a number of changes as the new owners invest in the hotel, restaurant and wedding venue.
And the restaurant refurbishment marks the completion of the iconic venue's £2.5 million makeover.
Ayrshire Live were invited to the soft launch of the restaurant which took place last week and over the weekend.
The interiors have been curated by Lucid Interiors in collaboration with co-owner Vivien Kyle and relaxed, modern feel which is still in keeping with the hotel's past.
An effort has been made to incorporate parts of Alloway's history and heritage with a hand-painted mural by artist Roderick McKenzie featuring a scene from Tam o' Shanter.
The name and concept of the new restaurant is rooted in the poetic legacy of Robert Burns who famously penned many of his greatest works just steps from the hotel on the iconic Brig o' Doon bridge.
Tales will operate seven days a week from noon until 10pm offering seasonal Scottish cuisine and sweeping views of the River Doon and gardens below.
The menu features a range of cuisine to suit all tastes including traditional Scottish delights such as steak pie, Japanese-inspired BBQ pulled pork Bao Buns and The Immortal Smashed Burger for the burger aficionados.
And it doesn't disappoint while the ample portion sizes leave enough room for a dessert such as the raspberry and white chocolate tiramisu.
On Mondays to Thursdays before 6.30pm, Tales offers a more affordable two-course Market Menu for £20 which includes options from the full menu.
RAD Hotel Group co-owner Vivien Kyle said: 'I wanted Tales to feel like stepping into a storybook. Something rooted in heritage but filled with imagination.
'Each space feels like its own chapter, from the cosy booths to the visual anchor of the riverside views. The palette, textures, and layout are all about creating little moments of magic.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
26 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Scotland's five most scenic hikes named as 'immersive' Highlands walk tops list
There is still time for a picturesque hike before the end of summer. Scotland's "most scenic" hikes have been named in a new study. A total of five picturesque walks around the country were singled out. House of Bruar published a list of Scotland's "top five most scenic summer walking trails". The experts ranked each hike by their popularity on Instagram. Coming in at number one on House of Bruar's list of the most scenic walking trails in Scotland is the West Highland Way. The hike, which is among the most famous in the country, ranked first with 165,000 Instagram hashtags. Drawing walkers from all over the world, West Highland Way is around 96 miles in length. The route begins in Milngavie near Glasgow and stretches to Fort William, covering a wide variety of terrains such as mountains, lochs, and woodlands. The experts described the West Highland Way as "an immersive journey into Scotland's natural wonders". They praised the hike as "particularly inviting" during the summer. Placing second on House of Bruar's list is the Fife Coastal Path. The experts found that the hike has 81,200 hashtags on Instagram. The 117-mile-long Fife Coastal Path stretches from Kincardine on the north shore of the Firth of Forth to Newburgh at the south shore of the Firth of Tay. It weaves along the Fife coastline, which is considered among the most picturesque regions of Scotland. House of Bruar singled out the Fife Coastal Path's "beautiful cliffside views and quaint fishing villages". The hike was also applauded for its blend of "natural beauty and coastal charm". Coming in at number three on the roundup is The Great Glen Way, which has 20,900 hashtags on Instagram. The 79-mile walking trail passes through the heart of the Scottish Highlands, from Fort William to Inverness. The trail follows the Great Glen Fault line via Loch Ness and the surrounding woodlands. According to House of Bruar, its standout feature is its "diverse scenery"—comprising everything from lochs to mountains. Following behind in fourth place on House of Bruar's roundup is the John Muir Way, which runs 134 miles across central Scotland from Helensburgh to Dunbar. The hike was found to have 11,400 hashtags on Instagram. The John Muir Way is named after Scottish conservationist John Muir, with its endpoint of Dunbar being where Muir was born in 1838. The journey takes in woodlands, beaches, and canals—as well as rivers and parks within urban areas. Rounding out the experts' list is the Southern Upland Way, with 5,000 Instagram hashtags. The walk stretches 212 miles from Portpatrick on the southwest coast to Cockburnspath on the east. The Southern Upland Way is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes. It weaves through remote hills, forests, and valleys—offering stunning views of the Southern Uplands. House of Bruar commented: "Scotland is rich in stunning natural landscapes, and there's no better time to experience all it has to offer than during the summer months. While the country may be known for its cooler, often unpredictable weather, the summer brings refreshing sunshine, longer days, and moderate temperatures, perfect for sightseeing and embracing the great outdoors. "With breathtaking mountain vistas and peaceful loch-side escapes, summer in Scotland is filled with endless opportunities for exploration." The full study can be found on the House of Bruar website. West Highland Way Fife Coastal Path The Great Glen Way John Muir Way Southern Upland Way
Daily Mirror
27 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
I visited one of the 'best cities in the world' — one thing will live in my mind forever
A traveller enjoyed a two-day trip to Edinburgh where they visited one of the city's most appealing and highly-rated hotels and had one or two 'spiritual' awakenings. Edinburgh. A city steeped in history and culture, regarded by many as one of the best in the world — but did you know it is home to its fair share of ' spiritual ' powers? Experienced traveller Jason Cranwell found this out first-hand, opening his mind, and his taste buds, to the lavish Scottish locale. "Whisky drinking is a pastime I have always been happy to leave to other people," he wrote in the The Express. "In truth it was to avoid the risk of it leading to a more fulfilling existence than my overdraft can handle." As part of his two-day escapade, Jason visited the Johnnie Walker Experience on Princess Street. Despite being a self-confessed ' Peroni guy', this eye-opening event required him to broaden his horizons and sample some heartburn-inflicting scotch. Jason explained: "After answering some questions about my palate, I was soon tentatively sipping my first tailored whisky sample. Decent. Then the second. OK, this is not unpleasant, and then the third, a celestial cocktail creation whose recipe is now committed to memory in perpetuity like a school assembly hymn." It became easily apparent just why the facility cost a mammoth £150million as soon as Eleanor started taking everyone on a tour throughout what Jason described were "immersive rooms". Inside were a maze of sleek, 360-degree wall projections, hand gesture recognition and cool LED effects. The chief storyteller was Evie who was a "genius" when it came to narrating the whole experience. "Close your eyes and you could be listening to a Wikipedia biog entry," Jason remarked, "Open them and you find yourself captivated by this Whisky Wonka." Next on the itinerary was a visit to The Real Mary King's Close, an underground labyrinth of 17th century dwellings off the Royal Mile that is remarkable preserved. Makenzi was appointed as tour guide for this activity, playing an ancient maid for an hour-long journey through the ages, spanning plagues and bomb shelters. Away from the dramatic activities, Edinburgh boasts exceptional places to eat and drink. Jason and company, wanting a quick change of pace, opted to visit Valvona & Crolla, a traditional Italian deli on an artisan stretch by Leith Walk. Established in 1934 by Alfonso Crolla and now run by his great-granddaughter Olivia, what initially appears to be a quaintly single-file family shop stretches out to a series of extensions with treasures at every turn. Whether it was the tasty cheese counter, the realms of custom-labelled wine bottles hand selected by the team, and then just up the stairs was a restaurant with the most eclectic clientele. "With the possibility of delicious antipasti, panatella and pasta paired with a highly recommended wine-tasting session hosted by the in-house sommelier for £38, who says you can't put a price on authenticity?" Jason asked. Further down Leith Walk are the more hipster parts of town. Seafood restaurant Plaice at host venue ASKR on Constitution Street is officially a pop-up restaurant and is covered in spray paint decor and a health-obsessed offering. Jason continued: "I had a starter plate of scrumptious peri-peri tiger prawns that I scooped out on to my oyster-buttered warm sourdough bread, inadvertently creating the bougiest sandwich ever. My main course of bluefin tuna, caught in British waters but served up Japanese-style and bathed in sesame oil, topped it all off." For the fun-filled vacation, he stayed at Moxy Edinburgh Fountainbridge, situated a 15-minute stroll from Haymarket train station. On the sixth floor you'll find the Moxy's crown jewel, the Lochrin Rooftop Bar, voted Hotel Bar of the Year at the prestigious 2024 Scottish Bar and Pub Awards. According to TimeOut, Edinburgh is one of the 53 best cities in the world to live in. Among its attractions is a food and drink scene which they say features an 'ever-evolving selection of forward-thinking bars and eateries'. In 2023, TimeOut said Edinburgh is one of the 53 best cities in the world to live in. Among its attractions is a food and drink scene which they say features an 'ever-evolving selection of forward-thinking bars and eateries'. Earlier in 2024, the Scottish capital was named one of the 'best places for an autumn city break' by The Times, the only British place to make the list. They wrote: 'Edinburgh's snug restaurants, historic hotels and warming whiskies only get better in the cooler months. 'Hike around this sloping city of quirky alleys, a waterfront port and towering castle walls in jumper-and-jeans weather, allowing time to reach its blustery natural viewpoint, Arthur's Seat.' Summarising, Jason simply finished by saying: "Oh, Edinburgh, I think I'm smitten."
North Wales Chronicle
an hour ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Sparks flew at York when Electrocutionist made it an Italian job
The last international raider to win the highlight of York's season, Electrocutionist – rather fittingly ahead of the latest renewal – had a Japanese star a neck in arrears as daring trainer Valfredo Valiani enjoyed the crowning moment of his career at a place he will always hold dear. 'They are great memories and I love York, it is a gorgeous racecourse,' said Valiani, who also enjoyed Group One success on the Knavesmire with Super Tassa in the 2001 Yorkshire Oaks. 'Coming from Italy we don't have up and downs, we have flat tracks and flat training centres, so York was just perfect. 'The welcome we got from the racetrack was great and everyone was so nice to us. I can't help but love York, as it is a place that has been so lucky for me. 'I have won Group races in Italy and France and England, but those wins at York are definitely the best achievements of my career.' With Electrocutionist a champion in his native Italy, Valiani had long held ambitions of sending his nation's flagbearer on the long raid from his base in Pisa to Yorkshire. However, it was while the colt was lodging with the Italian's compatriot and mentor Luca Cumani in the build up to his York date that excitement hit fever pitch, after Electrocutionist turned up the voltage under big-race pilot Mick Kinane with a scintillating piece of work on the Newmarket gallops. Kinane would prove the final piece of the puzzle and after being given in-depth guidance on the eve of the Group One showpiece, Valiani's gladiator was ready for his showdown with Kazuo Fujisawa Japan Cup hero Zenno Rob Roy in the white-hot atmosphere of York's equine Colosseum. 'In May he won a Group Two in Italy and then he won the Gran Premio di Milano and straight after I said we're going to run in York and I was pretty sure he would do very well,' said Valiani. 'We went there with a lot of confidence because I sent the horse to England about a month before the race and he did a very nice piece of work in the lead up under Mick Kinane on the Al Bahathri. 'I spoke to Mick at the Bedford Lodge Hotel the night before the race showing him all the videos of his previous races. 'I was talking him through them, showing him where I thought the jockey was doing well or doing wrong. I think we probably spent an hour talking and I just told him to to wait as long as he could, but then during the race I couldn't help but think he had got him a bit too far back. 'He showed his class and won by a very short distance and when Mick jumped off he said 'I knew I was going to win coming round the bend' and I told him he should have called me as I have almost had a heart attack! 'He was a hell of a horse and it gave me great satisfaction.' Valfredo Valiani, former trainer of the British Group 1 winners Super Tassa and Electrocutionist, studying the catalogue at the SGA Sale in Milan. — Emma Berry (@CollingsBerry) September 21, 2018 With a mid-race health scare avoided and his greatest racing accomplishment secured, the Tuscan trainer's thoughts immediately turned to conquering Europe's most prestigious middle-distance prize, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Parisian dreams would ultimately be vetoed, with Electrocutionist instead heading to Woodbine's Canadian International for what would be his final start for Valiani in a spell that yielded six heroic victories and only two defeats. Valiani said: 'After York I wanted to run in the Arc, I was pretty sure he would have been in the first two and I still don't think I was wrong, he could easily have done that. 'There were big discussions that lasted days and I ended up running him in a race in Canada and that is the only regret I really have with him that he didn't get to run in the Arc. 'The only race he ever lost in Italy, he was beaten a nose by Shirocco, and the ground was slightly soft that day and he didn't like that, he was a fantastic racehorse.' Arc regrets will never diminish the Italian's achievements on the Knavesmire and a love affair that had begun four years prior to Electrocutionist's finest hour in Valiani's care, when outsider Super Tassa silenced the swarming grandstands with her shock 25-1 triumph in the Yorkshire Oaks. That would be Italy's first Group One triumph in Britain since Marguerite Vernaut's successful sortie on the Champion Stakes in 1960, with the exploits of both Super Tassa and Electrocutionist ensuring Valiani's place in both Italian and Yorkshire racing folklore. 'I think I have the best strike-rate at York in Group One races,' quipped Valiani. 'Super Tassa was 25-1 and I chose Kevin Darley to ride her as she was a filly who liked to come from behind and having watched a few races at York thought he was the perfect man. He did a hell of a job. 'I remember when Super Tassa won there were only four people shouting – my great friend and my teacher Luca Cumani, the owner Cyril Humphries, myself and my vet. Everyone else wasn't talking at all because she caused such a shock. 'I love being a bloodstock agent, but I will never forget my training career which went on for 25 years and those days at York which were so lucky and so great.' As for Electrocutionist, he would further advertise his class after Godolphin purchased him, winning the Dubai World Cup for Saeed bin Suroor and Frankie Dettori, before finishing second in both the Prince of Wales's Stakes and the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
