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Fish & Chip Day 2021: Our top 10 fish & chip shops in the north and north-east


By Alice Prentice

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Fish and Chips - Picture: Adobe Stock
Fish and Chips - Picture: Adobe Stock

Friday 4th June is the 6th annual National Fish & Chip Day, run by National Edible Oil Distributors Association (NEODA) in the UK.

So, to celebrate, we’re sharing our top 10 favourite fish and chip shops across the north and north east. Do you recognise all of these names?

1) Fochabers Fish Bar, Fochabers

Owners Carol and Stuart Whyte - Fochabers fish and chip shop - Picture: Becky Saunderson.
Owners Carol and Stuart Whyte - Fochabers fish and chip shop - Picture: Becky Saunderson.

Fochabers Fish Bar is an award winning chip shop just off the Moray coastline. This year they’ve been named on Fry’s Magazines 50 best fish and chip shops in the UK for 2021. Fry’s magazine uses mystery dining visits to score shops on over 40 aspects, from quality of food and customer service to social media presence and Covid safety practices.

Fochabers Fish bar excelled in all areas, there’s no doubt about it, this little family run fish bar is an absolute star!

2) McLeod's Fish and Chips, Inverness

Owners David Mcleod and Anne Marie Fraser - Mcleod's Fish and Chips Grant Street - Picture: Gary Anthony.
Owners David Mcleod and Anne Marie Fraser - Mcleod's Fish and Chips Grant Street - Picture: Gary Anthony.

Another award winning establishment in the heart of Inverness! Named the Best Fish and Chips in Scotland at the 2020 Business Awards and also placed on the Fry’s Magazines 50 best fish and chip shops in the UK this year. It’s very rare to drive along Grant Street in Inverness and not see a queue outside Macleod’s, it’s a popular choice for locals and tourists alike.

3) The Friary, Beauly

Picture: Facebook - The-Friary-Beauly.
Picture: Facebook - The-Friary-Beauly.

If you didn’t already need an excuse to visit the picturesque village of Beauly with it’s tasteful independent retailers and historic ancient priory - now you will just have to visit The Friary!

Not only are the hot fresh suppers a delight, but you can treat yourself to one of their whipped ice creams afterwards, which are an infamous delight to the locals of the village.

4) The Trawler, Golspie

Picture: The Trawler Fish & Chips, @HighlandsFishAndChips
Picture: The Trawler Fish & Chips, @HighlandsFishAndChips

Beginning or finishing the NC500 route from Inverness? Make sure you stop by The Trawler to warm your heart with fresh fish and chips. Wander along the beach and fill your soul with good food and good views.

5) Jaki Fish and Chip Shop, Muir of Ord

Jaki's Fish & Chip Shop in Muir of Ord - Picture: James Mackenzie
Jaki's Fish & Chip Shop in Muir of Ord - Picture: James Mackenzie

Some of the best fish and chip shops can be found just off the main roads of small villages across the Highlands. If sitting on a baltic cold beach while you eat your chippy tea isn’t for you - then grab yourself a fish supper from Jakis as you pass through the village of Muir of ord. Not a grain of sand or a seashell in sight! Plus, they often have great offers for family meals!

6) The Lossie Chip Shop, Lossiemouth

Picture: Facebook - Lossie-Chip-Shop.
Picture: Facebook - Lossie-Chip-Shop.

Slap bang in the middle of the North-East coast is the beautiful fishing town of Lossiemouth. Take a day to walk or try your hand at surfing along the rolling duned beaches right outside the main town. Then, finish the day off with some top quality fresh fish suppers, with local produce coming a stone's throw away in the North Sea.

7) Deli-Ca-Sea. Ullapool

Picture: Facebook @delicaseafishandchips
Picture: Facebook @delicaseafishandchips

Another absolute must on the NC500 route! Deli-ca-sea is a popular choice for the locals of the fishing village Ullapool, as well as people from the surrounding areas.

The road to Ullapool from Inverness is such a joy, that folk from all over take the journey for a day out on the beaches at Rhue, Ardmair or in Ullapool itself.

The ultimate reward is that piping hot chippy tea that will keep you filled for the journey home.

8) The Royal Fish Bar, Grantown on Spey

Picture: Facebook - @TheRoyalFishBar
Picture: Facebook - @TheRoyalFishBar

Said to be the best fish and chip shop in Speyside. It’s a fab spot to stop if you’ve spent the weekend in the Cairngorms on many adventures. Their suppers will be sure to boost those energy levels after a long day out hiking, kayaking, or skiing!

9) The Eating Plaice, Alness

Picture: Facebook - @theeatingplaice
Picture: Facebook - @theeatingplaice

Declaring themselves, ‘possibly the finest catch in Ross-Shire’, we couldn’t agree more. They’re not only praised for their delicious menu, but their terrific service. Staff are very welcoming and speedy considering some of the queues they have out the door! Highly recommend it, even if you have to wait!

10) Reid's Fish Bar, Thurso

Picture: Facebook - @Reids-Fish-Chips
Picture: Facebook - @Reids-Fish-Chips

Last but by no means least, our most northerly recommendation. With an extensive menu from fresh fish, sausages, puddings and a tremendously popular munchie box that includes:

1 x Regular Chips

1 x Tub of Cheese

1 x Tub of Curry or Gravy

8 x Chicken Tikka Bites

6 x Chicken Fillets

6 x Scampi

6 x Onion Rings

2 x Can of Juice

All that for £15?! If that’s not enough to tempt you, we don't know what is!

Have we missed any? Let us know where your favourite fish and chip shop is in the comments on social media.



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