Two hours up the A9 from Edinburgh and the need for a coffee and comfort break became apparent. We were heading towards Spean Bridge and the thought of another 50 minutes in the car without a stop was out of the question.
Driving through Dalwhinnie we spotted a yellow sign for The Apiary Coffee House on the roadside. It was just yards from the main road through the town – a sharp left towards the station – and there is a spacious car park.
Their website says that Mike and Nicola have created a family-friendly place where muddy boots, paws and bikes are always welcome.
We did not have muddy boots, paws or bikes, but we were made to feel most welcome. The website blurb says that the pair have established the coffee house so you get the feeling of walking into their front room and being treated like family. We got that vibe.
Comforting food was on the menu and our gaze fell on cake sitting under a see-through cover on the spacious counter. Yes, there were lots of other options, and a biker had a major roll packed with breakfast goodies, but the cake looked scrumptious.
We picked blackberry and cherry to share and they were moist and with bags of flavour. The oat latte, served in a big, yellow-coloured cup, was spot on, as was the normal coffee.
The duo do an all-day menu from 9am with vegetarian, vegan and GF options as well as all-day breakfast rolls from £5.99 where you choose a minimum of two from a list of bacon, lorne sausage, link sausage, fried egg, black pudding, haggis, GF haggis or veggie haggis. You can add more for £1.50 each.
A full Scottish breakfast is £14.50 – they have a veggie option, same price – and sandwiches and jacket potato options are from £8.50, mac and cheese £10.50, wraps £12.99 and soup £7.50 which comes with a roll. There is a fish and chips on a Friday option and takeaway is available.
So, hats off to The Apiary. It was good, however it was pricey, even given the location.
DETAILS: The Apiary, Station Road, Dalwhinnie PH19 1AB: 01528 522261: bees@apiarydalwhinnie.co.uk
Experienced news, business, arts, sport and travel journalist. Food critic and managing editor of a well-established food and travel website. Also a magazine editor of publications with circulations of up to 200,000 and managing director of a long-established PR/marketing company with a string of blue-chip clients in its CV. Former communications lecturer at a Scottish university and social media specialist for a string of successful and busy SMEs.
