We will be on Skye, staying near Portree, in mid-May. I have read in several places that it is very difficult to get into restaurants in Portree without reservations made well in advance. Rather than pick a restaurant site unseen, I'd rather wait until we are there and then make reservations a day or two in advance. Will I have trouble getting into good restaurants? Thanks for any insight. Suggestions for good vegetarian-friendly restaurants are welcome, also.
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
I can't speak to Portree in particular, but it is very common practice to book your table ahead in Scotland. If you are arriving late in the day I would look online and find some place to book. You can probably book for a second night the next day. We ran into this when we arrived on Kirkwall after traveling for nearly a day from Madison, WI. Someone took pity on us and found us a place to eat.
Posted by
Camano Island, WA, usa
1446 posts
Go to Costco in Edinburgh or Glasgow and buy a picnic basket and cooler and pack it with goodies. We found that picnicking saved time and money. We were driving ourselves and did shop at grocery stores...deli food! Beer and cheese and veggie pasties. Pubs are good for grub, too. But if you want a gourmet experience...you must book ahead.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11300 posts
I would at least book your first night. We had three incredible dinners in Portree and all restaurants were busy. We had our landlady book for us for the first night well before we arrived, then made our own arrangements on arrival. Scorrybreac is outstanding, BTW, and three weeks in advance is advisable. Sea Breezes was also great and booked up early.
Posted by
OP
63 posts
Thanks to all for your advice. I'm going to do at least some advance booking to be sure of having some definite places to eat...with the grocery store/picnic option filling in the blanks!