Tips For A Scottish Fish And Chips Road Trip
Fish and chips is a Great British staple and to dismiss this original street cuisine as fast food does it a great disservice.
At its finest, the humble fish supper tastes as gorgeous as a gourmet meal and it’s a heart-warming treat that’s inextricably intertwined with family life in this sceptered isle.
But for many chip shop specialists, the haddock served in Scottish emporiums is superior to the slightly coarser cod that’s the standard fish in English restaurants and since the scenery in Scotland is nothing short of spectacular, rolling around the lochs, hills and glens and stopping off to sample the nation’s top fried foods is a terrific excursion for foodies.
If you fancy taking the plunge, read these tips for a Scottish fish and chips road trip.
Hire the right wheels
First thing’s first ̶ you’ll need a certain type of vehicle for this particular road trip.
An SUV with elevated seats allows passengers to enjoy the scenery and affords the driver a commanding view of the road ahead, but make sure it has robust air conditioning because the scent of car-consumed fish can linger long after the lip-smacking meal has finished. For peace of mind, you can book your ride ahead of time from online car hire specialist Enjoy Travel.
East coast eateries
With its proximity to the North Sea, Scotland’s East Coast is a haven for ocean-fresh fish, and the East Neuk of the historic Kingdom of Fife is the heartland of the haddock. There are many ‘chippys’ in this picture-postcard corner of Scotland, but the award-winning Anstruther Fish Bar is the most renowned and has been voted Britain’s best. The crisp battered, buttery haddock here melts on the tongue and the crisp yet fluffy chips are a minor culinary miracle.
A word of warning ̶ expect a queue for this excellent eatery, but the wait is worth it!
West coast wonders
Scotland’s west coast also has its fair share of fabulous fish and chip restaurants and if you’re on this side of Scotland visiting gorgeous Glasgow and its environs you can expect a healthy side of craic (lively conversation) to accompany your fish supper.
The Wee Kelpie in Helensburgh serves cod and monkfish as well as haddock and everything on the menu is freshly cooked to order, while the old-school University Café is a Glasgow West End institution which has been serving some of the city’s tastiest fish and chips to students, lecturers and everyone else in charming retro surroundings for generations. Last but not least, the Kent Fish and Chip Shop in Finnieston deserves a mention for its innovative, vegan-friendly ‘tofish and chips’.
We hope this tailor-made Scottish fish and chip road trip has tantalised your taste buds ̶ loosen your belt and get ready for a gourmet adventure to remember!
Have we missed your favourite Scottish chippy? Let us know in the comments section.
Image credits:
The University Café and Pixabay