When it comes to lip-smackingly amazing seafood, nowhere compares to Scotland. From beautiful haddock to meaty oysters and succulent salmon, Scotland’s seas, lochs, and rivers are home to an incredible array of seafood – and our shores host some amazing restaurants ready to make the most of it!

There’s no better way to explore the best sea-borne scran (that’s ‘food’ for our non-native readers!) Scotland has to offer than by taking to its waters and eating your way from coast to coast. We’ve picked out just a few of the many restaurants, cafes and shacks that make the most of Scotland’s best seafood. Ready your tastebuds!

The Seafood Shack

Ullapool, Ross-shire

The Seafood Shack, set up by two local Ullapoolian lassies, has won countless awards for its beautifully-cooked seafood. While you won’t want to miss the langoustines cooked in a hot garlic and thyme butter or scallops served with caramelised red onion and wild rice, everything on the menu is landed fresh from the west coast’s sparkling waters and is sure to set your taste buds tingling.

(C) The Seafood Shack

Café Fish

Tobermory, Mull

What’s the story in Tobermory? Only that Café Fish serve up some of the finest seafood to be found in Scotland! Owned and run by cousins Jane Gill and Liz McGougan, who were brought up on the shores of the famous Loch Fyne in the fishing village of Tarbert, this cosy wee café was listed by Lonely Planet as one of the nation’s top five restaurant. Why not set sail and judge for yourself?

(C) Café Fish

The Creel Seafood Bar

Fionnphort, Mull

Unsurprisingly given its name, The Creel Seafood Bar in Fionnphort serves up some of the finest seafood in Scotland, all caught locally in the waters surrounding Mull and Iona. Delve into a platter of scallops and mussels, crispy langoustines, creamy Cullen Skink, prawns, crab and more as you enjoy the many delights of marvellous Mull.

(C) The Creel Seafood Bar

The Crannog Seafood Restaurant

Fort William

Set on the banks of beautiful Loch Linnhe, it’s no surprise that the Crannog Seafood Restaurant has cultivated a reputation as a seafood-lovers paradise. While their Loch Linnhe langoustines and mussels from Loch Eil are firm favourites, the chef’s use of fresh venison from the hills of Kingairloch and matured Aberdeen Angus steak mean even the most voracious carnivore will be well-satisfied.

(C) The Crannog Seafood Restaurant

Cornerstone Seafood Restaurant

Mallaig, Lochaber

Overlooking the busy harbour of Mallaig, the Cornerstone Seafood Restaurant offers a range of freshly-caught west coast delights, from home-made Cullen Skink to hand-dived scallops. It’s the perfect spot to relax after a hard day treading the sands of Morar, watching the sun slink beneath the horizon with a hearty meal in your belly and a dram in your hand.

(C) The Cornerstone Seafood Restaurant

Plockton Inn

Plockton, Loch Carron

Set on the shores of Loch Carron in the picturesque village of Plockton, the small but perfectly formed Plockton Inn offers a menu bursting with seasonal local produce and offered up with the very best of Highlands hospitality. Make sure to try the famous Plockton Prawns – these monster crustaceans are usually landed by Martin the barman and smoked onsite by Kenny the owner!

(C) Judy Green

The Pierhouse Hotel & Restaurant

Port Appin

Hidden away on the shores of Loch Linnhe, The Pierhouse has long been associated with providing hungry sailors with a tasty selection of local seafood and meat dishes. The whole menu is worth your attention but there’s no better celebration of west coast local produce than The Pierhouse’s grand platter. Featuring a lobster from the hotel creel, chilled local langoustines, seared scallops, Loch Creran oysters and mussels, and Inverawe smoked salmon, it’s a fishy feast fit for a seafaring king. Even better – the hotel has six moorings directly opposite the restaurant in Loch Linnhe available for yachtsmen dining in the hotel.

(C) The Pierhouse Hotel

The Whitehouse

Lochaline, Morvern

Serving up fresh local produce with some creative (and delicious) favour combinations such as Loch Spelve mussels in Heather ale and Oban smoked haddock with cornichons, it’s no surprise The Whitehouse is often listed among the Highlands’ best restaurants. Set sail for an experience that showcases the best of Scotland’s larder and culinary creativity.

(C) The Whitehouse

The Oyster Shed

Carbost, Skye

Located in the wee village of Carbost on the Isle of Skye, The Oyster Shed Farm Shop’s oysters are grown in the crystal-clear waters of Loch Harport and are said to be some of Scotland’s finest. If oysters don’t take your fancy, the wee hut serves up an array of smoked salmon, mussels, crab, and scallops – as well as delicious cheeses and chutneys. Make sure to wash down all that world-class seafood with a wee dram at the nearby Talisker Distillery, just a short walk from the Shed.

Love whisky? Check out our guide to sailing some of Scotland’s greatest distilleries!

(C) Ross Pichler

The Lobster Hut

Crail, Fife

Head to the harbour of the picture-postcard village of Crail in Fife’s bonny East Neuk and you’ll find Reilly Shellfish – or The Lobster Hut as it’s known locally. Established in 1974, this quaint little shack overlooks the picturesque Crail harbour and serves up the freshest North Sea crab and lobster dishes. There’s a reason this has been a firm favourite for almost 50 years!

(C) Pete Stevens