Geographically these tasty meals were a bit more spread out. Nevertheless, quite tasty
Glasgow –
Ask Italian also has a location in Glasgow.
Tempus (located in the bottom floor of the Grand Central Hotel which is in the main train station in Glasgow):
We stayed here the night that we arrived in Glasgow via trian and were quite peckish the next morning. When we decided to venture downstairs for breakfast I honestly expected to have a drink and sit and watch the crew eat. I was pleasantly surprised when told that they had gluten free muffins and buns in stock. Both were served nice and toasty warm making them extra delicious.
Stirling –
Gabe’s:
We ate here twice and there was an extensive gluten free menu offered (they even offered GF breakfasts with crepes and pancakes! but we never wanted to sit over breakfast). I only have one set of photos as the food was sooo yummy that I ordered the same thing twice. This is located beside the movie theaters as well as a nice walking path which runs alongside the River Forth.
GF fish and chips with homade tartar sauce and minty mushy peas.
Lemon drizzle cake for dessert.Â
Falkirk –
The Wheelhouse Restaurant –
This is located walking distance from the Falkirk Wheel. However, we decided to stay at the wheel rather than step out to eat as the girls were really interested in watching it work. This restuarant offers a gluten free menu.
Falkirk Wheel Cafe –
I expected to eat a bag of chips and perhaps a piece of fruit while the rest ate sandwiches but I was pleasantly surprised. I was able to order a “cheese toasty” (toasted cheese). In addition, they also had individually bagged cookies for purchase had I wanted dessert.
Loch Lomond-
Palombos Fish, Chips & Pizza:
After our day on the banks of Loch Lomond and at the nearby aquarium (less than a five minute drive) we stopped here for our last dinner in Scotland. Mmmm. Yet another version of fish and chips (I have yet to find a gluten free fish and chip place nearby). Glenn also got a treat with battered haggis (not gluten free but he rather enjoyed it).
Simple and straight forward.
Haggis and chips served piping hot but not gluten free.
The Trossachs –
Aberfoyle/Loch Ard-Â
Wee Bleather Tea Room (on the banks of Loch Ard just north of Aberfoyle): We did not stop here on our day out at Loch Katrine but we drove past it as we went to the top end of the loch. It looked very quaint and I thought of stopping for a snack but did not expect that they would have anything gluten free so I pulled out our packaged snacks. Now I am sorely disappointed. It turns out that this restaurant has a full gluten free menu as well as “normal” items. Plus, they also have some dairy free options. Sigh. There is always next trip.
Doune – We stopped at the Circa Cafe which is at the Scottish Antiques & Arts Center. It is quite cozy inside. Unfortunately we arrived with plans of enjoying dinner there only to find out that they were in the process of closing for the evening. They do offer a gluten free selection but I can’t comment on its tastiness.
Thornhill –
That evening we drove to nearby Thornhill instead and had dinner at the Lion & Unicorn Hotel’s pub. The atmosphere was lovely with the smell of coal burning fires in the background. There was a totally gluten free menu upon request and the wait staff helpful. I ordered the burger and was not disappointed.
Loch Venacher –
On the way to Callander from Loch Katrine, we stopped at this loch for some lunch. The view from inside this restaurant is gorgeous. We were able to sit in warmth yet watch the wind creating waves on the water. They had a number of gluten free options and were able to accomodate me when I decided to go with something which was not marked as gluten free – a burger made from mince butchered by the local Callander butchers. They were the ones my Grandma used so I knew that the meat would be outstanding and I was not disappointe. Mmmm.
Callander –
We ate at a number of places while in Callander as this was the focus of our visit given that it is my mom’s hometown.
Taste of the Trossachs: I did miss eating at this place but I will have to try the next time. It is at the bottom end of town near the meadows.
The Old Bank: Also at the bottom end of town. We had an early supper here (as it closes early by our standards). The leek and potatoe soup which I ordered with my toasty was particularly yummy as were the wee teddy shaped chips. The muffin was served warm and was a nice and fluffy apple spice muffin. Unfortunately there was a bit of misunderstanding on my part. The menu read ‘cupcake’ so I was anticipating an icing covered cake of some sort so I was a bit surprised when my muffin arrived. The muffin would be a great choice if you were looking for a mid afternoon pick me up.
The Atrium Cafe: This is located on the second floor of the CCW Outdoor Clothing Store near the top end of town. There is always something gluten free to be had (I have been here multiple times on various trips). This visit was on a rainy day and my toasted sandwich arrived nice and warm. The “normal” dishes are posted on a large blackboard on the wall while the gluten free menu can be found beside where you stand to order you food. Once you have placed your order and given your table number, you can sit back and relax until the food arrives.
The Lade Inn: Although we did not eat at this restaurant on this visit, I have had the pleasure of eating here a few times before and recall it as quite tasty. They have clearly marked gluten free dishes on their regular menu.
Other in Scotland tips:
I have shopped at a number of places for gluten free goodies. In fact, gluten free food can be purchased at Sainsburys, Tescos and Marks & Spencers. This trip my favourite finds were crumpets at Tescos (the kind which you toast and then slather on the butter so that when you eat it the butter is dripping through the holes onto the plate) and shortbread at Sainsburys. The crumpets are fairly close to the real thing except that they soak up more butter than they let run through. The shortbread does not crumble when you take your first bite and it has a nice buttery taste. Plus, it looks like regular round shortbreads so it has the nostalgia factor covered as well.