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A Highland Blend

Adventures from my Caithness kitchen and beyond

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2018 Review – A Highland Blend

December 31, 2018 by Susan Leave a Comment

We’re almost at the end of 2018 and I’ve been reflecting – it’s been a busy year for A Highland Blend, with lots of travel and foodie adventures that I’ve enjoyed, both at home and further afield. It was hard to whittle them down but here are 10 of my favourite experiences of the year!

A North Coast stay at the Melvich Hotel, Sutherland (review)

October 25, 2018 by Susan Barrie Leave a Comment

Last week we took ourselves off west at the kind invitation of the Melvich Hotel, for a little one night dinner, bed and breakfast stay! The drive from Wick is about 45 minutes, the perfect distance to feel like that you’re getting away from it all in the knowledge that home is not too far…

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Bistro by the Sea, Portmahomack (Review)

June 27, 2018 by Susan Leave a Comment

Being the only westward facing village on Scotland’s east coast, it’s fitting that Portmahomack should have an eatery which has a stellar view of the Dornoch Firth and the mountains out west. I was invited by Bistro by the Sea to enjoy the views and food on offer!

Capilla, Scrabster – A NC500 taste of tapas

June 16, 2018 by Susan 2 Comments

Word spreads quickly in these parts about new restaurant openings, especially ones that offer something a wee bit different to the usual pub grub offering. My local is the fabulous Whaligoe Steps Cafe but further up along the north coast of Caithness, housed in an old chapel (hence the name Capilla), is a new tapas…

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NC500 East Coast: Afternoon tea at the Dornoch Castle Hotel (Review)

April 29, 2018 by Susan Leave a Comment

When we stayed in Inverness, if we wanted a destination that was in easy reach (less than an hour’s drive), had a combination of beautiful beach, cute cafes and a plethora of shops to potter around, we would always head up the east coast to Dornoch in Sutherland. However, we hadn’t been there for a…

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Exploring the world with Spice Pioneer Subscription boxes (review)

February 10, 2018 by Susan Leave a Comment

A while back I was interested in meal/recipe subscription boxes sent in the mail, but was put off by the extra charges that businesses charged for delivery to the Highlands and Islands (I’m looking at you Hello Fresh and Gousto, and this was while we were living in the city of Inverness – hardly the…

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Thai Dining, Inverness (Review)

March 14, 2017 by Susan Leave a Comment

Going to Thai Dining was a long awaited treat for us. We had heard several good reports about this new Thai family run restaurant, so much so that every time we passed it, I would always drop an atom-bomb sized “I’ve heard this place is lovely…” comment to Mr B. Six months (no joke!) later, we…

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Bohns Rub Spice Mixes (Review)

February 28, 2017 by Susan Leave a Comment

Over the last few days we have been enjoying experimenting with spices and seasonings in our Highland kitchen, ably assisted by a range of dry rub spice mixes provided by Bohns.

Highlights of 2017 | Mess in the Ness – A year in review

December 31, 2016 by Susan Leave a Comment

It’s the end of another year – it’s hard to think now that I have been blogging for over 5 years – almost my whole married life and since moving to Scotland! So in true blogger form, I thought I’d remind myself of five highlights that 2017 has bought! Opportunities to take more photographs In…

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Christmas Cheeseboard with Tesco Orchard

December 22, 2016 by Susan Leave a Comment

A key part of an festive Christmas celebration is a cheeseboard as it’s such a great way of feeding those unannounced guests. As a member of the Tesco Orchard community, I was invited to review some of their cheeses which are available. I could have opted for their ready made cheeseboard or platters, but we…

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I’m Susan and welcome to A Highland Blend – a collection of foodie, lifestyle and travel posts. Stay and have a look around my little corner of Scotland! To find out more about me and this blog, check out my about page. 

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  • The golden hour. #wick #caithness #scotland
  • YOU ARE INVITED 🎭 💃 🎞 // My preview of the March-June programme of theatre, dance, film and family events at @lythartscentre is now up on the blog. We love our local arts centre (the most northerly on the UK mainland) and if you’re in Caithness, you should have a copy of the programme winging its way through your letterbox this week! Thanks to Co-directors @tom_2mt and @cjmmountford12 for giving me a sneak peek at what’s coming up in the next few months! #lythartscentre #performingarts #caithness #nc500
  • 🐾 The perfect afternoon for dog walks on the beach 🐾 #Bartie #lifeofalab
  • I think I’ve found the best kept secret in Inverness - authentic, fresh Chinese food at the Scottish Highlands & Islands and Moray Chinese Association! Soups, rice dishes, dim sum and cloud like char Sui buns - served at lunchtimes only. Had to trawl through @msthain grid to remind myself of it’s existence a while back after talking about with @northhopmichelle . Blog post link in profile now! #inverness #highland #chopsticks #chinesefood #shimca #noodles #dimsum 🇨🇳
  • I used to run a baking club in Inverness until we moved up to Caithness in 2017. Now I’m going to give it a go up here - bakers of Caithness, join me for some home-baked goods and baking chat - give @caithnessbakingclub a follow on here and on Facebook, and share away! 🍰
  • Found my new favourite dish - spiced lamb with dates and red lentils from @georgiepuddingnpie ‘Stirring Slowly’ - With only 25 mins of easy prep and 2 hours in the oven, you have a stew with delicous Moroccan flavours. Already looking forward to having the leftovers with some harissa roasted veg later in the week! #slowsunday #slowcooked
  • Caithness is awful. Just shockingly bad. Don’t bother visiting. 
#venturenorth #undiscoveredscotland #scotland #caithness #johnogroatstrail #duncansby #skirza

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ABOUT SUSAN

I’m Susan and welcome to A Highland Blend- a collection of foodie, lifestyle and travel posts. Stay and have a look around my little corner of Scotland! To find out more about me and this blog, check out my about page. 

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