The best pit stops for great grub and leg-stretching strolls
It's not every day that you get to eat in a retro-style diner with a giant plastic cow on the roof, so seize the opportunity should you happen to be traversing the A90.
Owned and run by the Farquharson family since 1960, the Horn Milk Bar lays claim to what is 'officially the best bacon roll in the world' (it won an online poll a few years back). This roadside restaurant has serious fashion credentials too: it appeared in a Vogue photo shoot.
(Image: The Horn Milk Bar) If you're in the mood for a daunder, you're not too far from the Taybank Circuit, which starts and finishes in nearby Errol, around a five-minute drive away. This 4.25-mile (7km) loop leads down to the edge of the Tay, with tranquil views across the reed beds and tidal flats.
The Pitstop at Kintail, Aultachruine, Glenshiel
With gorgeous lochside views, The Pitstop at Kintail is well-worth swinging off the A87 to visit. This rustic cafe has both indoor seating and picnic tables outside. The mighty burgers are a mainstay of the menu, alongside hearty soups and mammoth scones.
When it comes to a meander, you're spoiled for choice from the wildlife-packed trails around Loch Duich to exploring the magnificent Falls of Glomach – and not forgetting the classic Five Sisters of Kintail ridge walk with its trio of Munros.
The Real Food Cafe and The Green Welly Stop, Tyndrum
Forget choosing a Harry Potter Hogwarts house or swearing life-long loyalty to a football team, the true test of allegiance: what is your favourite A82 Tyndrum pit stop? Joking aside, both are absolute gems.
The Real Food Cafe is renowned for its delicious dishes, with ample gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options. The always-fresh fish and chips are an oft-cited, firm favourite, along with the myriad cakes and traybakes. It is also dog-friendly, making it perfect for pet owners.
The Green Welly Stop is brilliant if you need to stock-up on provisions for your trip, whether it be any last-minute outdoor equipment or car snacks. For those looking for a substantial meal, there are yummy homemade pizzas, as well as savoury pastries, pastas, soups and ice cream.
As for walks? You're on the famed West Highland Way and stand at one of the most exalted junctions in Scotland, with Glen Coe and Fort William to the north and Oban to the west.
The Pitstop – Tartan Bus, near Inverurie, Aberdeenshire
This eye-catching eatery, also known as the Tartan Bus – or still fondly referred to by regulars as 'Roy's Bus' after its original, now-retired owner – is a delight to pop into if you're heading along the A96 between Aberdeen and Inverness.
(Image: The Pitstop)
Best described as a bus-diner – reminiscent of the catering vehicles used on film and TV location shoots – you can pull up a pew at one of the cosy tables and tuck into breakfast, hot-filled rolls, toasties, burgers and chips.
You're only a couple of miles from The Maiden Stone, a Pictish cross-slab dating from around 700 AD, which can be viewed with a short detour off the A96. According to legend, a young woman was turned to stone after losing a bet with the devil.
The Glen Cafe, St Mary's Loch, Borders
Located beside the A708 between Moffat and Selkirk, The Glen Cafe sits beside St Mary's Loch and the smaller Loch of the Lowes, occupying a superb perch on this picturesque section of road.
Open seasonally from April to October, its menu is packed with tasty fare. We're talking sublime soups and mains such as steak pie, quiche, hot beef rolls and Scotch pie with beans and chips. Desserts include apple and blackberry crumble, served with ice cream or custard.
The Ring of St Mary's Loch offers a scenic stroll, covering seven miles (11km), with the Shinglehook Sculptures, Dryhope Tower and Cockburn's Grave among the area's highlights.
Susan Swarbrick is a columnist and freelance writer who loves history and the outdoors. Follow her on X @SusanSwarbrick and Bluesky @susanswarbrick.bsky.social
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