Restaurant of the Week: Am Politician, Balla, Eriskay, South Uist

From the conservatory and garden of Am Politician you can stroll out on to the bleached sands of the locally-named Theresa’s Beach, lapped by an azure Atlantic ocean.

Location

It’s a distance to travel from the mainland, but if you’re holidaying on Uist the location could not be more idyllic. This pub/restaurant is an easy stroll along the beautiful Prince’s Beach where, on July 23, 1745, Bonnie Prince Charlie first landed in Scotland.

First impressions

The restaurant and pub are housed in what looks like a modern bungalow. But don’t be fooled by the unassuming exterior. Inside is smart but casual and a comfortable place to hang out any time of year.

Service

First-class. Our waitress advised on the freshly caught seafood but also on the history of the area. Just offshore lies the wreck of the SS Politician. Before sinking in 1941, the ship ran aground with 22,000 cases of malt whisky on board inspiring the iconic book and film, Whisky Galore! which was about the locals “acquiring” the cargo. The pub has artefacts, including a bottle of Spey Royal.

Unpretentious and wholesome, boasting fresh local produce. We had a choice of six starters including a haggis or Stornoway black pudding tower, seafood cocktail and goat’s cheese. And the main courses included traditional favourites like Barra monkfish scampi, homemade steak pie and vegetable curry.

Taste

Uber-good. We decided to forego a starter to make room for desert and were glad we did. For mains we went for hand-dived local scallops served with potatoes and veg, as well as chicken stuffed with haggis presented in a whisky sauce. The scallops were melt-in-the-mouth good, while the chicken was succulent with just a bit of a kick from the haggis and whisky combo. My guest and I chose a homemade cranachan, oozing oats and rasps, and a chocolate fudge cake served with cream. Both were scrumptious.