Restaurant news: Moray bistro The Bothy attracts 5,000 customers in a fortnight with its new outdoor kitchen

The team behind one of Moray’s busiest restaurants, The Bothy Bistro, has ensured the survival of its business by creating a Covid compliant fully equipped outdoor kitchen on the shores of the magnificent Moray coast.

Bootlegger’s Bothy has proved so popular it has served over 5,000 people in the fortnight since it opened its doors. Like its parent restaurant, Bootlegger’s specialises in delicious, fresh, local produce and serves up mouth watering fish, mussels and langoustines straight off the Burghead and Hopeman boats.

Looking for a solution to the issue of closed premises facing so many in the hospitality industry, The Bothy team turned two shipping containers into kitchen space, which address restrictions likely to be placed on the industry and provide outdoor, Covid compliant dining in a spectacular location. The kitchen can be found at Hopeman’s West Beach Caravan Park, which boasts beautiful views overlooking the ocean.

Ruth and Barry Scott, who have enjoyed phenomenal success with the Bothy Bistro since it opened in 2011, said: “With the restaurant closed, it’s been a very challenging few months for all in our industry. When restrictions were imposed we knew that The Bothy Bistro in its current form would not be viable until restrictions were completely lifted. This left us with two options - mothball the business or find a solution to the restrictions facing the industry. With The Bootlegger’s Bothy, we combine our superb and experienced team with a magnificent location, and thanks to the space in the park, can abide by all social distancing rules. “Bootlegger’s has three open fire grills, where our meat and vegetables are put on to slow roast or smoke for the day’s service. We have been so busy, people are queuing for over an hour, especially on sunny evenings. We’re delighted to be back doing what we love, and will look forward to welcoming people from further afield when the time is right.”

​Menu favourites all feature only the finest local produce and include freshly dressed Hopeman crabs and lobster, Shetland mussels served in chilli, garlic and white wine and Shetland scallops with the local butcher’s black pudding. The sourdough, brioche and focaccia are all baked on site and drinks are served from Peggy the vintage Citroen H van, which include local beer from Spey Valley Brewery on draught. The Bootlegger’s Bothy at Hopeman’s West Beach Caravan Park is open from Wednesday to Sunday, 10am - 6pm, with extended opening hours till 7pm on Fridays and Saturdays. It is available for takeaway only, and currently does not offer the option to pre-order. To find out more visit the Bothy Bistro Facebook page or follow @bothybistro on Instagram.