Street Food: Shacks, Trailers and Trucks in the Scottish Highlands and Islands


If you're travelling about the north of Scotland, you may have seen an explosion of street food traders popping up in laybys, scenic spots and even industrial estates. With many more visitors to the Highlands over the past few years, producers are bringing the food to you, meaning that you can have a taste of Scottish produce while you are on the move.

With some input from A Highland Blend followers, I've collated a guide of where you can pick up a good feed from around the north Highlands including Skye, Orkney, and Moray. I hope to extend this with any additions in the Western Isles as I discover them, but please get in touch if there's a brilliant street food find that I don't know about!

My guide contains details of businesses that travel around regularly to serve take away food or drink from a variety of locations or only have outdoor seating areas if they trade from a fixed location. All information is correct at the time of writing (March 2022) and I'd recommend that you follow the businesses that you are interested in on social media. Please check opening hours and locations directly with traders as these often change. Some traders also only trade during the summer season.

For my recommendations of cafes and restaurants, read my guide to eating and drinking around the North Coast 500.

Street Food Traders in Inverness/Black Isle area

With both an HQ in Smithton and popping up around Inverness in their trailer, The Redshank source fish and shellfish from the northeast of Scotland, then create soups, fishcakes, stews and much more. If fish isn’t for you, there’s normally a meaty or veggie option available, or the seaweed seasoned chips!  My tip: Pick up a jar of their Cajun sauce for your fridge at home, you won’t regret it! Find them on Facebook & Instagram| Website

With shops in Inverness and Aviemore, Mieles Gelato also has a trailer that they take out to other towns and villages in the Inverness area. Their selection of inventive homemade flavours has to be seen to be believed – can you pick just one? If you’re not an ice cream fan, look out for the hazelnut cannoli, and petite Italian pastries! Find them on Facebook & Instagram

As well as the original bakery and cafe in Muir of Ord, and new café in Inverness’ Victorian Market, the Bad Girl Bakery also serve up their signature tasty bakes, hot drinks and savoury options from their 1950’s silver aluminium caravan. Find them on Facebook & Instagram

The Highland Food and Drink Trail Street Food Zone can be found on Bishops Road (riverside by the cathedral) Inverness. The aim of the trail is to share some of the excellent food and drink businesses in the Scottish Highlands. Check out the lineup for each week on the HFDT socials! Find them on Facebook & Instagram

The Tagliotello truck travels round Inverness and the Black Isle, with a selection of fresh pasta dishes which combines traditional Italian recipes with ingredients such as Orkney smoked cheddar. Mamma Mia! *chefs kiss* Find them on Facebook & Instagram

Trading across various locations in Inverness, Beauly and Nairn, Oregano offers an assortment of pasta dishes, handmade sausage rolls, focaccia and burgers. Find them on Facebook & Instagram

Relatively new to the street food scene, and with a gourmet street food offer, Ollie’s Pops specialise in pulled meats and BBQ flavours. Look out for where they will pop up next! Find them on Facebook & Instagram

You’ll often see the queues for Ness Walk Kiosk before you see the Kiosk itself on Bishops Road, especially on a warm summer day (yes even the Highlands get those!). With waffles, ice cream, sandwiches and drinks on offer, it’s a great option to grab and go. Find them on Facebook & Instagram

Open day time Mon-Sat, you can find the Ness Side Catering Co by the Dores Tesco in Inverness, to fill up on all your breakfast and lunch needs, and from looking at their pictures, you will be full indeed! Find them on Facebook & Instagram

A mobile pizzeria popping up around Inverness and the Black Isle, The Box Artisan Pizza have a bijou and tempting selection of pizza topping combos! Find them on Facebook & Instagram

Pressing whole fruits and vegetables, treat yourself to a freshly pressed juice or yummy smoothie from the Wee Juicy van or from the JuicyNess smoothie bar in Fairways Inverness! Find them on Facebook & Instagram

Sutor Creek offers a range of wood-fired pizzas, main dishes, desserts and seasonal specials to take away from their former restaurant in Cromarty. We love the whitebait! Find them on Instagram & Facebook | Website

Neapolitan pizza is what Ry’s Slice is about, and his social media is full of his creations. Look out for him at events and his takeaway nights in Inshes Mews. Find them on Facebook & Instagram

Restaurant quality street food next to the Carsegate’s Forge Gym in Inverness is a good incentive to beast that workout, or possibly the ultimate temptation when you have Forty2atheForge specials such as teriyaki chicken, wild boar meatballs and curries to choose from! There’s also a solid list of sweet and savoury breakfast and lunch dishes. Find them on Facebook & Instagram

Street Food in Orkney, Skye and Lochalsh

Some true foodie hidden gems are tucked away on industrial estates and in Kirkwall, Orkney Mainland dwells Beiting and Brew, a gem of a place which has traditional and international breakfast and lunch options along with weekend burger and brunch specials. Find them on Facebook & Instagram

There’s local seafood and wholesome tasty fayre served up in the Eolach truck by chef Verity Harding, in Lower Breakish, Skye. Look out also for Eolach Secret social club pop ups in other locations on the Isle of Skye. Find them on Facebook & Instagram

Holding the accolade of World Champion Cullen Skink Makers must mean that the Fisherman’s Kitchen in Kyle of Lochalsh know a thing or two about how to treat fish and seafood. As well as the classic fish supper, the pesto fish wrap seems to get a good write up too. If you’re on holiday locally, you can also pick up fish to cook at home. Find them on Facebook & Instagram

Just up the hill from the Talisker Distillery, the Oyster Shed has magnificent views looking east over the Isle of Skye and you can grab an assortment of hot fish dishes and shucked oysters, as well as fish to cook at home. Find them on Facebook & Instagram

Street Food in Moray & Cairngorms

KJ (of the now sadly closed Mountain Café in Aviemore, a casualty of the pandemic) has a new Bothy Bakery location in Grantown on Spey. The usual monster-size scones, cakes, bread and other bakery fancies are on offer, and on Sundays when the bakery is closed look out to see if the doorstep shop has any goodies on offer. (Bothy Bakery open Wed-Sat) Find them on Facebook & Instagram | Website

One of our personal favourite pit-stops for lunch or dinner if we’re travelling up/down the A9 is Alvie Forest Food, located in Dalraddy Holiday Park near Aviemore. Using meat and foraged goodies from the Alvie Estate, they always have daily changing specials. Find them on Facebook & Instagram

If you’re looking for your next caffeine fix, look out for the teardrop caravan of Heilan Brew Coffee at events and festivals across the Highlands. They also pop up regularly in Nairn. Find them on Facebook & Instagram

Seasonal Flavour use Scottish game, rare bred beef and pork alongside other highland produce and pop up at various events and locations in the Highlands, Moray and Aberdeenshire. Find them on Facebook & Instagram

Tucked down in Hopeman, Stew & Drew’s ice cream parlour have a constantly rotating selection of flavours. My tip is to choose your flavours and enjoy while walking in either direction on the Moray Coastal Path! Find them on Facebook & Instagram

Providing a ‘brew with a view’ on the Duffus Estate, the Kula Coffee Hut is a true supporter of other local produce and suppliers, including Speyside Coffee, fancy pieces from Bijou in Elgin, and icecream from Stew & Drew’s in Hopeman. The view comes courtesy of the iconic Duffus Castle Ruins! Find them on Facebook & Instagram

Restaurant quality food with a coastal view at Bootleggers Bothy, by Hopeman Harbour. There’s plenty of outdoor seating, so once you’ve collected your order of local fish and seafood, Speyside beef or veggie dishes, plus some Scottish beers, local gins and even frozen margaritas! Find them on Facebook & Instagram

Another industrial estate find, this time in Elgin where you can find the Humble Burger Co. Going by their photos, they probably have good reason to brag, with the likes of sharer Burger Boxes, loaded nachos, and epic cheesecakes on the menu! Find them on Facebook & Instagram

If you’re travelling between Inverness and Aberdeenshire on the A96, look out for a bright yellow van near to the K9 Deli, on the west side of Forres. Because of Coffee will caffeinate you for your onward journey! Find them on Facebook & Instagram

The Whyte Bite offer fish and chips and are based in Keith, but offers fish suppers and more from a variety of locations in Moray (and Aberdeenshire) on weekdays. Find them on Facebook

Street Food in Easter and Wester Ross

A popular stop for locals and visitors to Ullapool, the Seafood Shack uses local produce from fishing boats. Open during Monday-Friday afternoons during the summer season, there’s a daily changing menu posted on socials. Find them on Facebook & Instagram| Website

The Culbokie Cake Fairies magically appear at various places around Easter Ross and Inverness in Tinkerbell, their pastel pink converted horsebox. A kind friend treated us to some brownies and traybakes, and we highly rate them! Find them on Facebook & Instagram

Exciting flavoursome dishes are being served up in Ullapool/Gairloch/Aultbea by the Black Pearl Creole Kitchen– check their socials for dates. Slow-cooked meat curries, sticky ribs,  jerk chicken and veggie curries regularly feature on the menu. One for the creole foodie fans for sure! Find them on Facebook & Instagram

The Blazin’ Pizza stone oven fires out 12” pizzas across a number of Ross-shire and Inverness locations – following their Facebook page is best for keeping across where the trailer will be popping up next! Find them on Facebook & Instagram

Street Food in Sutherland

If you’re a shellfish fan and on the east coast of Sutherland, it’s worth a trip to Helmsdale Harbour for the family-run ‘C Food and Eat’. With dressed crab, langoustines and garlic dip, and scallops and black pudding on the menu, how can you resist? The trailer has also taken occasional trips north to Wick for pop-ups at the harbour. Find them on Facebook & Instagram

In Melvich, pick up a selection of hot/cold snacks and cakes, ice cream, milkshakes and drinks from Coastline Coffee Shop. Useful for a comfort stop too as the coffee shop is next to the public toilets. I recommend taking your purchases to Melvich's lovely beach to enjoy although there is outdoor seating available too! Find them on Facebook

A good cheese toastie is possibly one of the best comfort takeaway foods out there, and Cheese ‘N Toasted offer gluten-free and vegan options of their core offering including quirkily named “The Truffalo” and “Smoo Stack”. If you’re travelling to Durness during the summer season, look out for the blue horsebox! Find them on Facebook & Instagram

Along the north coast, east of Bettyhill, you’ll be greeted with some sea blue signs alerting you to a converted horsebox just off the roadside. COAST Coffee and Treats provides delicious coffees, bakes, and other hot drinks in a beautiful roadside setting. Perfect if you want a quick pit stop before continuing on your journey! Find them on Facebook & Instagram

Another foodie trailer in a scenic location on Sutherland's east coast, the Highland Larder in Dornoch offers visitors a chance to sample cuisine such as lobster brioche rolls, hand-dived scallops and smoked mackerel pate. Round it off with a tub of Black Isle ice cream and you’ll be happy indeed! Find them on Facebook & Instagram

Lastly, inland in Lairg, in the Free Church car park, Crofters Kitchen offer snacks and cakes. Find them on Facebook and Instagram

Street Food in Caithness

On Friday and Saturday nights, Thurso goes crazy for Taco East's burritos, taco plates, loaded nachos and quesadillas (kids portions available and veggies/vegans are also catered for) at Taco East (preordering essential). You can also add on their house-made hot sauce if you are feeling brave! Find them on Facebook

A firm favourite with Wickers, Oagies Kebabs is a family-run business open all day every day for your breakfast, lunch or dinner needs. If you’re after a dessert, check out the changing cheesecake flavour which seems popular with the locals! Find them on Facebook

Grab a fresh lobster or crab roll from the Tasty Toes Shack in Dunbeath, one of the many pretty coastal villages in Caithness. Enjoy your view of the harbour while you eat! Find them on Facebook

Locals and visitors to John O’Groats grab a cone or cup from Flavours - the most northerly ice cream parlour on the UK mainland.  There’s a lovely walk on the coastal path for views of Orkney and the now uninhabited island of Stroma to look at while you eat! Find them on Facebook

If you are a street food trader across the Highlands and Islands (either in a fixed location and with outdoor seating only, or you serve takeaway food from a variety of locations) and would like to be included in this guide, please get in touch either via email to hello@ahighlandblend.com or by messaging my social media channels.


Email: hello@ahighlandblend.com

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