GREAT PLACES TO BUY LOCAL FOOD
Shop local, buy local, eat local
shop local in beauly
Delis & Food Halls
Our very own deli in the heart of the village. It has just about everything you might fancy to suit all tastes, including vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free. A wonderful selection of cheese, cakes, charcuterie, ice-cream, pates – you name it they have it, with an emphasis on local produce where possible. Well worth a visit. They also own the greengrocers next door which has a lot of local veg.
This has a lot of lovely local produce and fine foods, with plenty of local farm produce. Its range has grown extensively over the years. The adjoining self service restaurant/cafe, when open, is excellent.
Bakeries
We love The Bakery in Tomnahurich Street in Inverness. Their sourdough is fab.
Others rave about The Cromarty Bakery in Cromarty itself (and across the road from the award-winning Cromarty Cheese Shop) and who are we to disagree? You can get bread from both direct or at Corner on the Square.
The Three Bakers also gets a good write-up, and you can find their rolls and bread in the filling station in Beauly. And don’t underestimate Harry Gow – it may seem a little old-fashioned, but they are good, and their dream ring is the stuff of legend (albeit definitely not good for the arteries)…
Butchers
John Munro & Sons is a small chain of local butchers. All their meat comes from local Highland farms. We can’t fault them on quality, and they offer great advice.
The other local butcher with a good name is Fraser Brothers in Dingwall High Street.
And if it’s haggis you’re after, try Cockburn’s haggis. Their shop is in Dingwall, or again you can buy it in Corner on the Square.
Looking for venison? Check out Tarradale Game. They have a stall at the local farmers’ market in Inverness and will arrange delivery to you. Call 07444 843324 or e-mail for more information.
Eggs
You can get fresh farm eggs from an honesty box at the entrance to the Reelig Glen forest walk. There’s also the Egg Box hut on the right hand side on the main road to Cromarty on the Black Isle.
Fish and Seafood
Keltic Seafare in Dingwall will do home deliveries with 36 hours’ notice. There’s also an excellent fishmonger in the Victorian Market in Inverness which stocks lots of local fish and seafood.
We have a number of fish vans which visit the village. One is at the Phipps Hall car park on Wednesday at 1.45 and the Priory end of the Square on Friday at 9am. Another is in the Square on a Friday from 11.30am to 12.15 and yet another from 2pm until 2.30pm. All times are approximate.
Farm Shops
Just off the Tore roundabout on the road to Fortrose and Cromarty. Sells local fruit and veg and you can pick your own fruit in season.
On the main road out of the village towards Muir of Ord. Has a selection of local fruit and veg, as well as meat from local farms. Has some Highland Cows and alpacas for you to admire on the way in.
On the old back road to Evanton from Dingwall, this café also sells local farm produce. Also has a nice shop and plenty of outdoor seating too, with a lovely view. Electric car and bike charging.
Black Isle Dairy Honesty Shed sits above Conon Bridge on the Black Isle, just off the B9169 close to the junction with the A835. Fresh farm milk, yoghurt and ice cream.
On the A831 “up the glen” towards Cannich and Glen Affric, the Invercannich Farm Shop sells their own pork, beef, lamb and chicken. They do home deliveries too.
This has graduated from a bus to a hut to a glamorous renovated stone building which is now automated. They sell their own potatoes and other local veg. You can pay cash or card.
Cheese
Connage Dairy, Ardersier
Our very favourite cheese shop. In pre covid times had a nice little café for lunch with great cake and coffee – hopefully it will return at some point. They make their own cheese under the Connage label and also stock a remarkably good range of cheeses from across Scotland, the UK and Europe. Also, a fine array of oatcakes and various accompaniments for cheese. Take the A96 towards the airport and follow the signs for Ardersier. It’s just before you reach the village itself. While you’re there, there’s a nice walk along Ardersier Common if you head out the other side of the village and Fort George, a few miles further along, is always worth a visit. They’ve recently installed a vending hut where you can get fresh full fat milk.
Cromarty also has an award winning cheese shop and Corner on the Square stocks a good cheese selection.
Farmers Markets
There’s a farmer’s market in Inverness first Saturday of the month 9 to 3.30pm. Also, smaller markets on Saturdays at Culbokie Church Car Park 10 – 11am and North Kessock from 11.30 to 12.30.
General shopping
We’re lucky to have a great local supermarket in the village – the Co-op. There is also a small mini market, Scotmid, although its selection is more limited. We can find most things we want at the Co-op, but if you want to do a bigger shop then there are Tesco supermarkets in Dingwall and Inverness.