Two Remote Highland Restaurants Gain Michelin Stars
Two remote Highland restaurants have been added to Scotland's list of Michelin-starred establishments in the latest Michelin Guide. Killiecrankie House near Pitlochry and 1887 in Torridon were among 20 new UK and Ireland restaurants awarded one Michelin star during a ceremony held in Dublin on Monday.
The chefs of both venues, Tom Tsappis of Killiecrankie House and Danny Young of 1887, described their restaurants as being located in the "middle of nowhere" as they received their white Michelin chef jackets on stage.
Scotland now boasts 15 restaurants with Michelin stars, including two establishments with two stars each. However, none of the ten three-star restaurants listed in the 2026 UK and Ireland Michelin Guide are located in Scotland.
Among the 28 restaurants with two Michelin stars, Scotland is represented by Restaurant Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles in Auchterarder and the Glenturret Lalique in Crieff.
Additionally, Michelin green stars, which recognize restaurants "leading the way in sustainable gastronomy," were awarded to seven restaurants this year, three of which are in Scotland: Timberyard in Edinburgh, 1887 in Torridon, and Inver in Strachur.
Killiecrankie House: A Fusion of Scottish and Japanese Influences
Tom Tsappis, originally from a finance background, began his culinary journey in earnest during a stay in Japan at age 23, where he met his half-Japanese wife, Matilda, who currently serves as head sommelier at Killiecrankie House.
The couple previously operated a fine-dining weekend supper club in their London flat, inspired by Tsappis's Greek Cypriot heritage, before converting a former 19th-century Perthshire manse into a "restaurant with rooms" in 2021.
The menu at Killiecrankie House reinterprets modern Scottish cuisine with Japanese influences.
"We're a tiny restaurant in the middle of nowhere in the Scottish Highlands and we're chuffed,"Tsappis said during the Dublin event.
He explained that the entire team of five staff members, covering both front and back of house, learned about their Michelin star while on a trip to Japan, a country that has significantly influenced their culinary style.
"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, describing the award as "completely overwhelming."
The Michelin Guide describes Killiecrankie House as follows: "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."
1887 at Torridon: Celebrating Local Ingredients
1887 serves local food at the Torridon Hotel near Achnasheen in Wester Ross. Its £150 menu features shellfish, fresh fish, and game sourced from nearby estates.
A spokesperson for the Torridon praised the achievement, stating it "celebrated the vision and dedication" of head chef Danny Young, who follows an "ingredient-led philosophy."
In a social media post, the team extended congratulations to all involved, from local suppliers and gardeners to chefs and front-of-house staff, emphasizing that their passion and commitment make exceptional dining experiences possible for guests.
Young, who was also named National Chef of the Year in October, described the restaurant's setting at the ceremony.
"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 highlighted the restaurant's "truly stunning location" with "exceptional Highlands produce" forming the "bedrock of superbly balanced dishes."
Additional Recognitions and Scottish Michelin Landscape
Sebb's, located on Miller Street in central Glasgow, received the Exceptional Cocktail Award, complementing its existing Bib Gourmand status.
There are now a total of 230 restaurants with at least one Michelin star across the UK and Ireland.
Eleven Scottish restaurants maintained their one-star status in this year's guide.
