The Penny Bun, Badaguish
A few years ago, my wife and I discovered a fantastic place to eat—Alvie Forest Food—attached to the Dalraddy Holiday Park south of Aviemore. We would visit a couple of times per year, and I introduced my two brothers to it. We all loved the food, particularly the "brisket-loaded fries!".
However, they announced on Facebook that they were closing Alvie Forest Food and relocating to a new building at the Badaguish Centre, closer to Loch Morlich and launching as "The Penny Bun". When their website launched, we were disappointed that our favourite loaded fries were not on the menu. Would we ever experience this taste sensation again?!
Roll on a few months later. We were staying at our usual accommodation at Scandinavian Village. I checked out the new menu for the Penny Bun, and low and behold, the glorious brisket-loaded fries had returned! We had to go! We booked on their website for lunch.
The Badaguish Centre
Despite all my visits to Aviemore, we had never visited the Badaguish Centre. The drive there was lovely, first on the Loch Morlich road (B970) and then on a single-track forest-linked road (Badaguish Road) to the centre.
The grounds are immaculate, and there is ample parking. We were about 20 minutes early for our booking, so we explored the Badaguish grounds—what a great place!
Just a few of the things we noticed:
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Many glamping/camping pods
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Some amazing forest lodges
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"The Shieling" is a small hut near the pond that serves BBQs or campfires.
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A sports arena
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Incredible views of the surrounding hills.
The place had a great vibe, and I would definitely consider it for a future stay.
Entering The Penny Bun
We arrived at the Penny Bun bang on 12 noon, the staff were very welcoming. The place had a very laid back feel which was great, no airs and graces just nice chatty people. We could hear a lot of laughing and joviality coming from the kitchen which was a great sign.
The waitress sat us down at a table for two and served us a large chilled complimentary bottle of water with two glasses. The dining area is lovely, with wooden rafters and a light and airy feel. Checking the menu, we were glad to see that the loaded fries were still there.
The restaurant is dog-friendly, and the food is locally sourced, including many foraged items from the surrounding woodlands and estates. The eatery definitely showcases the "Cairngorms larder."
Starters
For starters I ordered the "Fried Goats Cheese & Almond Fritters", and my wife Janette chose the "Isle of Mull Cheddar Rarebit". And of course we chose the loaded fries for our main!
The starters were lovely, I'm no vegetarian, but I can't resist goats cheese when it's on the menu. Janette's rarebit was really tasty with a strong cheddar taste and a nice crunch to the bread.
Dinner
The loaded fries were pricey at £17, so I hoped we would get a substantial portion. We needn't have worried; it was a decent-sized bowl of the glorious loaded fries just as we remembered them from Alvie Forest Food. There's something about that brisket with all the sauces mixed in with the fries—it's just a "chef kiss." Janette couldn't finish her bowl, so I was lucky enough to be able to finish hers, too—score!
FAQs on The Penny Bun
Is there a kid's menu?
Yes, there was, which included all the classics for fussy eaters, like chicken nuggets.
Can you walk from Loch Morlich to The Penny Bun?
You definitely could and it would be a lovely walk, it'll take you about an hour though.
Can you walk from Aviemore to the Penny Bun?
It's possible, but it's about 6 miles and will take about 2.5 hours.
What else is there to visit near The Penny Bun?
The options are endless, here are a few:
Key Information
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The Penny Bun is a restaurant located at the Badaguish Speyside Trust, near Aviemore and not far from Loch Morlich.
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Some of the team used to work at Alvie Forest Foods (the chef Chris McCall), which used to be at Dalraddy Holiday Park.
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Bookings can be taken on their website (thepennybun.co.uk) or by calling 07902199095.
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My family and I love the brisket-loaded fries here.
Conclusion
The Penny Bun is a little off the beaten track but well worth the trip out of Aviemore to visit. It was quite empty when we arrived on a Friday afternoon, and only two other tables joined us during our visit.
I hope they get enough customers through the week to make the business viable. One waitress commented it wouldn't be as special if The Penny Bun was located on the Aviemore high street... sure the location at Badaguish is fantastic, but I feel they would get more business closer to town, and I would go there three times a week while visiting Aviemore!
The food at the Penny Bun is special. Check it out next time you're in the area.
All information was correct at the time of writing, please check things like entry costs and opening times before you arrive.
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