Russian Tavern at The Port Royal Hotel

My family were touring Britain by car and were driving north on the coast road in Ayrshire. We were listening to the music on BBC Radio Two and the presenter, Chris Evans, started taking about the exceptional beef to be eaten at a Russian Tavern on the Isle of Bute. Apparently the highland cattle feed on the beach eating seaweed and herbs that gave it a special flavor. Isle of Where? Had never heard of the Isle of Bute. Then suddenly on the road was a big sign indicating the ferry to. yes THE ISLE OF BUTE! So without any planning we found ourselves at a Russian Tavern in a remote spot on a Scottish island!
The Port Royal Hotel is an old stone building by the sea in a small village where thirty yachts are anchored in the bay. There are only four rooms for tourists, and we stayed in two, a double and a twin bedded room, both with toilet/​shower, TV and coffee machine. The hub of the place is the restaurant decorated with wall hangings and dolls in the Russian style. The chef is also Russian, but this is not a place for beetroot and turnips. The food was exquisite with a range of full flavours, spice, fruit, smoke, herbs. The seafood was brought by the fishingman direct from his boat tied up outside. The Russian Tavern is certainly an experience, the visitors who find such a lost place seem to come from all over the world, and we had a very pleasant time talking and drinking the excellent beer. One fellow was telling us about his experiences in Antartica, as he spends six months of each year researching there. Another new friend was a Russian banker who works in Edinburgh, and believes this place is the best Russian food he has experienced!
We feel very lucky, almost directed by fate to have found Port Bannatyne, the Isle of Bute and a little place run by Russians, just by a mention on the radio at the right time.
The Port Royal Hotel is not only hidden away, it is very, very different to what we found elsewhere.
Kirsten Poll and family

Right on the seafront at Port Bannatyne on The isle of Bute, just two miles from Rothesay, this little Scottish hotel is run by a Russian family. On our visit The Russian Tavern had three different real ales served directly from casks on the bar, and all in good condition. We were given free tastings and decided to stay for lunch. We had Hare Pie served with red cabbage baked with apple, and Scallops served in a shell with wild mushrooms in a wine sauce. This was top notch cuisine and took us by surprise in such a remote spot. The price was similar to that we had been paying elsewhere on our trip for microwaved factory food, so this was a real find!
The Russian Tavern is decorated with traditional tapestries and wall plates, and there was a cosy, friendly atmosphere usually associated with tiny village pubs in England. They had an extensive range of Russian beers, wines and vodkas too, so we’ll have to return to do a bit more sampling! They had four guest rooms so a good spot to stay for gourmets.