Dining event pairs feasting with polar exploration stories at Fort Augustus.
The Lovat at Fort Augustus in the Scottish Highlands is preparing for the return of The Explorers’ Table on Saturday, 28 November 2026. This intimate dining experience at its much-loved Station Road restaurant will pair epic feasting with extraordinary first-hand stories from the world of polar exploration. The event brings together renowned polar explorer and Ice Warrior founder Jim McNeill and hotel co-owner and Station Road head chef Sean Kelly.
The evening will explore the relationship between food, survival, and adventure in some of Earth’s most extreme environments. Station Road, known locally for its elevated, seasonal cooking and Highland flavours, will host an intimate group of guests for the experience. Sean Kelly will craft a specially curated menu inspired by Arctic and cold-climate ingredients, including those found in the northern landscapes closer to home.
Over dinner, Jim McNeill will share stories gathered over more than four decades operating at the edge of human endurance. Guests will discover how food and drink have sustained explorers through months of darkness and sub-zero temperatures. This includes historic ship’s provisions, such as pemmican – a historic mix of dried meat and berries designed to release energy slowly – 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.
This November’s event will also delve into the story of Scottish polar explorer William Speirs Bruce and the Scottish National Antarctic Expedition of 1902–1904. Jim McNeill previously followed in Bruce’s footsteps for the BBC Scotland series The Last Explorers, bringing a personal perspective to the story of one of Scotland’s often-overlooked pioneers.
Jim McNeill said: “Food has always played a vital role on expedition, not simply as fuel, but in maintaining morale and bringing people together in the most challenging circumstances. The Explorers’ Table gives us the chance to bring those stories to life while celebrating Scotland’s remarkable legacy of discovery and considering what these extraordinary environments can teach us today.”
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Sean Kelly’s menu will take inspiration from ingredients associated with cold and wild landscapes, rather than recreating traditional expedition rations. This approach uses food as a starting point for conversations about how explorers sustained themselves in the past, how we eat today, and the fragile environments from which our food comes.
Sean Kelly, Head Chef at Station Road, said: “For me, the most exciting part of The Explorers’ Table is being able to tell part of that story through the food. Each course has been created to complement Jim’s stories and hopefully spark conversation around the table.”
To extend a visit, overnight stays at The Lovat are also available. Bookings and further information can be found on The Lovat website or by calling 01456 459250.
