The Lovat at Fort Augustus in the Scottish Highlands is setting the table for something truly special in 2026, launching two immersive dining experiences that pair epic feasting at its much-loved Station Road restaurant with extraordinary storytelling drawn from Scotland’s spirit of exploration and folklore.
Renowned locally for its elevated, seasonal cooking and confident Highland flavours, Station Road is the backdrop for evenings that promise not just dinner, but an experience worth travelling for.
At the heart of the programme is The Explorer’s Table, taking place on Saturday 28 February and Saturday 28 November 2026, priced at £120 per person. This is a rare opportunity to sit down over dinner with Ice Warrior and polar explorer Jim McNeill, a man who has spent more than four decades operating at the edge of human endurance. Hosted alongside Station Road Head Chef Sean Kelly, the evening features a four-course menu with a paired drinks flight, served as Jim shares extraordinary first-hand accounts from the Arctic — stories of survival, ingenuity and leadership forged in some of the harshest environments on Earth.
Over dinner, guests will hear how food and drink have sustained explorers through months of darkness and sub-zero temperatures, from historic ship’s rations and pemmican to modern expedition fuel — and why a hot meal, and an even hotter cup of tea, can mean the difference between morale and misery at –40°C! Intimate, gripping and deeply human, The Explorer’s Table is a tribute to Scotland’s legacy of exploration and the role of nourishment in pushing human limits.
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Another deeply atmospheric dining experience, Folklore and Fare, runs on Saturday 2 May and Saturday 12 September 2026, priced at £100 per person. This three-course dining experience brings together Sean Kelly’s cooking with the spellbinding storytelling of Jenny Johnstone, creator of The Scottish Folklore Podcast. Drawing on a vast collection of tales gathered from across the country, Jenny guides guests through Scotland’s mythic landscapes, from kelpies lurking in dark lochs, the Loch Ness Monster and more age-old legends, seamlessly weaving stories that feel both ancient and alive.
Together, these events showcase The Lovat’s talent for combining exceptional food, cultural depth and a strong sense of place. With limited places available these are evenings designed to be remembered long after the final course! To extent your visit and make the most of all the highlands has to offer, overnight stays at The Lovat start from £160 per room on selected dates. To book, or to view details of the immersive dining experiences, visit www.thelovat.com or call 01456 459250.
