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Self-styled 'middle of nowhere' restaurants awarded Michelin stars

News imageBBC A group of chefs standing on stage in white jackets during the Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2026 awards ceremony in Dublin, with presenters at the side and a large illuminated backdrop displaying event branding. Danny Young is the chef on the left and and Tom Tsappis is sixth from the left. BBC

Two remote Highland restaurants have been added to Scotland's starred entries in this year's Michelin Guide.

Killiecrankie House near Pitlochry and 1887 in Torridon were among 20 new restaurants in the UK and Ireland awarded one star at a ceremony in Dublin on Monday.

The chefs at both restaurants - Tom Tsappis and Danny Young - described their locations as in the "middle of nowhere" as they were presented with their white Michelin chefs jackets on stage.

There are now 15 venues with the prestigious culinary award in Scotland, only two of which have two Michelin stars.

None of the 10 three-star restaurants in the UK and Ireland guide for 2026 are in Scotland.

Of the 28 restaurants with two stars, Scotland has Restaurant Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles, Auchterarder and the Glenturret Lalique in Crieff.

Michelin green stars for restaurants "leading the way in sustainable gastronomy" were awarded to seven restaurants this year, three of them in Scotland - Timberyard in Edinburgh, 1887 in Torridon and Inver in Strachur.

News imageAlex Baxter Photography Matilda and Tom Tsappis standing outside Killiecrankie House. Matilda has shoulder length dark brown hair and is wearing a black dress with white spots and is holding a toddler on her hip. Tom has short brown hair and a trimmed beard. He is wearing a white chef's jacket and a navy blue apron with leather neck strap.Alex Baxter Photography
Matilda and Tom Tsappis renovated Killiecrankie House and opened it as a restaurant with rooms in 2021

Originally from a background in finance, Tsappis' culinary journey began in earnest during a stay in Japan at 23, where he met his half-Japanese wife Matilda, who is now head sommelier at Killiecrankie House.

The couple ran a fine-dining weekend supper club inspired by his Greek Cypriot heritage at their London flat before converting the former 19th Century Perthshire manse into a "restaurant with rooms" in 2021.

Dishes reinterpret modern Scottish cuisine with Japanese influences.

Speaking at the event in Dublin, Tsappis said: "We're a tiny restaurant in the middle of nowhere in the Scottish Highlands and we're chuffed."

He said his whole team of five staff for front and back of house had found out about their Michelin star while they were on a trip to Japan, which has had a big influence on their cuisine.

He later said the award was "completely overwhelming".

"This recognition means more to us than we can put into words, particularly given the challenges faced by the industry in recent years," Tsappis added.

The Michelin Guide states: "This attractive whitewashed former manse in the Cairngorms National Park has been transformed into a true dining destination with a personality of its own.

"A surprise tasting menu fuses Scottish produce, including some Japanese techniques, enhancing the ingredients to brilliant effect."

News imagePresenters and chefs standing on stage during an award announcement at the Michelin Guide ceremonywith the names of recognised restaurants displayed on the large screen behind them. Danny Young, second from left, a bald man with white chefs jacket, stand between two presenters. Gordon Ramsey, wearing a dark suit with white t-shirt, stands at the right.
Danny Young joined Gordon Ramsey on the stage with other chefs at the Dublin event

1887 serves local food at the Torridon Hotel, near Achnasheen in Wester Ross.

Its £150 menu includes shellfish, fresh fish, and game sourced from nearby estates.

A spokesperson for the Torridon said the achievement "celebrated the vision and dedication" of head chef Danny Young, who has an "ingredient-led philosophy"

In a social media post they added: "A huge well done to the entire team from our local suppliers and gardeners, to our chefs and front-of-house staff.

"Their passion and commitment make these exceptional dining experiences possible for our guests."

Young, who also won National Chef of the Year in October, told the audience at the ceremony his restaurant had an inspiring setting.

"We're stuck in the middle of nowhere," he said.

"We're in a unique location, sat between two big mountains and the loch, and we've got some incredible ingredients around us and some amazing staff, so that's what makes us so great."

Michelin inspectors said it was a " truly stunning location" with "exception Highlands produce" and the "bedrock of superbly balanced dishes".

Sebb's, on Miller Street in the centre of Glasgow also received the Exceptional Cocktail Award to add to its Bib Gourmand, a recommendation in the guide to recognise "good food at a great price".

Mara in Aberdeen and the Clarence and Angeethi by Sagar Massey, both in Glasgow also received a Bib Gourmand award this year.

There are now a total of 230 restaurants with at least one star in the UK and Ireland.

Eleven Scottish restaurants retained their one-star status in the guide this year:

  • AVERY – Edinburgh
  • Cail Bruich – Glasgow
  • Condita – Edinburgh
  • Heron – Leith
  • Loch Bay – Isle of Skye
  • Lyla – Edinburgh
  • Martin Wishart – Leith
  • The Kitchin – Leith
  • The Peat Inn – St Andrews
  • Timberyard – Edinburgh
  • Unalome by Graeme Cheevers – Glasgow