New owners at a popular country inn are spicing up their menu since moving in two months ago.
David and Sophie Maclean have bought the Old Mill Inn at Brodie after scouring Scotland for the perfect place to come home to.
The couple have worked for many years managing functions and events in the Middle East, largely for Government and Central Banks.
<h2>Scouring Scotland</h2>
But a dream to own a place of their own brought them home to Scotland and viewed places to buy from Dumfries in the south to Yell in the remote Shetland Isles.
David said, “The Old Mill Inn at Brodie was just what we were looking for. Many of the islands operate on a seasonal basis, but when we walked into the old Mill, it just felt right.
“The biggest asset was the kitchen and front-of-house staff, we bought into a great team here. It has all the charm of a country inn, yet close to urban centres of Forres, Nairn and Inverness.”
David explained they naturally wanted to add their own touch of TLC. They want to play around with the menu ensuring they keep the things that locals already like.
Sophie added, “We want to create a fresh and exciting menu that is interesting and exciting. We have separate dining areas so that people can enjoy a proper restaurant experience or eat in the bar and have a burger.
<h2>Tartan Thali</h2>
“I’m introducing an Indian concept that is not like your typical Indian restaurant offering. You won’t find a Balti on our menu, but instead, we will have a themed Tartan Thali, a tapas-style Asian platter. My mother and gran have handed down some authentic Indian recipes, and we’ll tie this in with a Scottish twist, such as the use of venison, and novelties like our chef’s Irn Bru chutney and haggis pakora.”
The couple will also keep the hugely popular Steak Night on Monday and emphasise that the menu features fresh, local produce from the Speyside larder.
The inn boasts a selection of locally-produced ales, gins and malt whiskies to complement the locally-sourced meats and seafood.
The emphasis on local differentiation can also be found in their accommodation. There are five guest rooms named to showcase what there is to see and do in the county – Brodie, Spinnaker, Mashie, Chapelton Springs and Roseisle all add a piece of the Moray jigsaw, and the story unfolds further in each of the rooms.