NICK NAIRN RESTAURANT, COOK SCHOOL AND SHOP
We’re very lucky to have Nick’s at Port of Menteith restaurant and shop here in the grounds of Lochend.
For Lochend Chalets guests, the Nick Nairn restaurant is a great plus-point. You can have a gorgeous meal and as many drinks as you please, then simply toddle the 2-minute walk back to your chalet accommodation after… No driving required! Even better, our guests get 10% off the restaurant bill.
Nick Nairn is our older brother – that is, he’s Topher and Victoria’s oldest sibling. We all grew up here at Lochend Chalets. Our parents Jimmy and Irene Nairn started the chalets back in the Seventies, and over the years they have been rebuilt and redecorated, but the beautiful Lake of Menteith view has always remained the same.
Nick went to sea in the Merchant Navy after school and became interested in food on his travels. On arrival back in Scotland, he taught himself to cook and soon set up Braeval, his first restaurant – not far away, near Aberfoyle. There he became the youngest chef to win a Michelin star.
10% DISCOUNT
FOR ALL GUESTS AT NICK’S RESTAURANT WHILE YOU STAY AT LOCHEND CHALETS
THE RESTAURANT - NICK'S AT PORT OF MENTEITH
The Nick Nairn restaurant is pretty informal, serving a family friendly menu. You’ll find Paul’s pizzas are a great hit and the almost-always-on-the-menu steak and chips another excellent choice (that’s our go-to favourite). The menu changes fairly regularly, but Nick and the chef team always make great use of Scottish ingredients like venison, fish and seafood. If they’re not too busy, they’ll do take-away pizza too, which you can arrange to pick up and take back to your chalet. Best to call early for take-away.
There’s seating inside and outside at the restaurant – let them know when you book which you’d prefer. The pretty garden is wonderful for lunch on a sunny day. If it’s a bit cooler, go for the under-cover outdoor seating beneath the stretch-tent, with glowing-red heaters to keep you toasty.
We’d suggest booking in to the Nick Nairn restaurant as soon as you can, even before you arrive for your stay at Lochend. Fridays and Saturdays can get booked up. Opening times vary with the seasons, so do check on Nick’s website here or give them a call on 01877 389900 for the latest information.
THE SHOP - HOME BY JULIA NAIRN
You walk through Julia’s shop on your way to Nick’s restaurant. It’s full of tempting bits and bobs to buy for the home or as gifts, as well as clothing and kitchen kit. Home by Julia Nairn also sells a few choice cook books (including Nick’s ultra-useful Cook School Cook Book), Nick’s gin, and the ever-handy Nick Nairn branded food scraper. It’s worth popping in for a browse, even if you’re not eating at Nick’s restaurant.
NICK NAIRN COOK SCHOOL
The Nick Nairn cook school used to be the main event. From 2000-2020 it was always buzzy with cooking classes by Nick himself and an array of his starry cheffy pals (for example, James Martin, Tony Singh, Paul Rankin and Gino di Campo). There was a great team of cook school staff chefs, too, teaching everything from seafood specials to how to cook curry. That was until the dreaded pandemic hit in 2020. Nick swiftly turned the place into a pop-up pizza restaurant as the cook school had to close. The pizza place then evolved into the restaurant, Nick’s at Port of Menteith….
But the Nick Nairn Cook School will be back in fully-refurbished action in summer 2023. Check Nick’s website for all the latest news on that.
Fancy cooking a Nick Nairn recipe while you’re staying at Lochend Chalets? Try Nick’s Lake of Menteith Trout with Tomato and Green Chilli… Find the recipe on our blog,
OUR FAVOURITE THINGS TO DO
Browse a selection of our favourite things to do when you enjoy a short break here on the Lake of Menteith. Stay on site or explore local landscapes. Explore our national park, take a trip further afield, or use your holiday lodge as a base to tour around Scotland. Whatever your interests, there will always be something to keep you entertained and make memories that will last a lifetime.
MORE THINGS TO DO AT LOCHEND CHALETS
With so much on offer at Lochend Chalets we have listed our favourite things to do for you. Browse all the amazing things you can do when you enjoy a short break ta The Lake of Menteith. Stay on site or explore the local landscapes. Take a day trip somewhere further afield or use your holiday lodge as a base to tour around Scotland. Whatever you want to do there will always be something to keep you entertained and make memories that will last a lifetime.
