The Captain’s Galley nets Best Fish Restaurant award

Scrabster seafood restaurant The Captain’s Galley is fast gathering gastronomic pace with its latest accolade: Best Fish Restaurant in the UK as voted by the Which? Good Food Guide 2009.

One of just 10 restaurants highlighted in the Which? Good Food Guide Editor’s Choice Awards, The Captain\'s Galley serves sustainable seafood landed less than 100 meters from its front door, and is the only restaurant in Scotland to net the coveted Good Food Guide title.

Editor Elizabeth Carter said in the Guide: “It’s a treat to find a small, friendly space offering such a wealth of locally sourced seafood - its harbour location gives views of the local boats bringing in the day\'s catch.”

Run by Sutherland-born husband and wife team, Jim and Mary Cowie, the Caithness restaurant has a strong environmental policy, only serving fish and seafood in season and from non-pressure stocks. They also source produce from within a 50-mile radius wherever possible.

The Captain’s Galley is situated literally a stone’s throw from the harbour in Scrabster on Scotland’s northernmost coastline, enabling chef-proprietor Jim to buy fish and seafood direct from the local fishing boats and feature upwards of 10 varieties of fresh seafood and fish on the daily changing menu. Meanwhile Mary, who runs front-of-house, supplies a selection of herbs, salad leaves and vegetables from the couple’s own garden and polytunnel.

Despite only learning to cook in the last six years, Jim has developed a mouth-watering menu using this fine local produce prepared with international influences. Dishes include Darne of hake with saffron mash, red pepper, sauce vierge and crispy chorizo; local crab and lobster with guacamole, crispy spiced tortilla and lime granite; and a selection of local tapas including monkfish liver and salt fish brandade. Jim also regularly serves sashimi because the fish is so fresh.

The prestigious ‘Best Fish Restaurant in the UK’ title comes on the back of a clutch of accolades for the Caithness restaurant including Taste of Highlands and Islands Restaurant of the Year (Highlands and Islands Food and Drink Awards 2008), Seafood Chef of the Year (The Seafood Awards 2007), winner of a Scottish Thistle Taste of Scotland Award (2007) and the Dining Out Experience (Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards 2006).

Chef-proprietor, Jim Cowie, has also just learned that the restaurant will receive its first listing in the 2009 edition of the highly esteemed Michelin Guide.

“It’s a tremendous feeling to win awards and gain recognition for what we are doing here at The Captain’s Galley,” Jim said, adding: “We have some of the best, and one of the most diverse ranges, of seafood in the world right here on our doorstep and it doesn’t get any fresher.”

Jim (59) worked in the fishing industry for 35 years – catching, processing and selling fish – before buying the former Ice House and Salmon Bothy at Scrabster Harbour. He and Mary sympathetically restored the listed building, which dates back to the 1800s, exposing the original stone walls, flagstone floors and a striking barrel-vaulted ceiling. The diminutive Captain’s Galley seats up to 20 people during regular dinner service and a maximum of 30 for private functions.

Opening hours:
7pm-9pm, Tuesday to Saturday

The Captain’s Galley is located at the Harbour, Scrabster, Caithness KW14 7UJ.

Find out more at captainsgalley.co.uk.