Heather & Thyme @ The Boat Shed, Loch Goil

When I was researching our journey to Tayvallich, I came across the Instagram page for Heather & Thyme @ The Boat Shed at Loch Goil Cruisers. It didn't seem like for from the track to nip in for lunch on our way. The road along Loch Lomond, towards Loch Goil, is incredible, and you get some marvellous views over the Lochs.

Finding The Boat Shed was a bit of a faff. You do come off the main road, which we expected, and it takes through some steep-ish pass sections, which do take a confident driver - I certainly wouldn't want to be driving over them in winter. We came to a sign that stated that The Boat Shed was to the right. We followed the sign to building on the left, rather than the right, which we initially thought was Loch Goil Cruisers (bring that it was on the left), but it turned out that it also housed the café.

Parking is very tight, so you have to be up for doing a bit of reversing, but the views from the café are incredible. We sat outside as it wasn't raining, and that gave us the best views over the loch. The inside is nicely finished - we had to go in to order at the bar - and it's well stocked for drinks. The terrace is also really funky, with various seating areas. The terrace is undercover, but you're liable to get wet in heavy rain! There are bird feeders everywhere, which is really nice. The birds are obviously used to being around people, and I was even joined by a robin on the table at one point (until the little dog spotted him and scared off his new friend...)

We had an idea of the menu before we arrived, and I opted for a bean and pepper burrito. It was fine, but it really could have done with more seasoning and less rice, as it was quite bland and stodgy. The rice massively overpowered any other fillings that were hiding in there. On our way out we grabbed a couple of pieces of shortbread, which were quite dry.

The staff were very pleasant, and even brought the dogs a biscuit each. It was very cute - they brought out a big gravy bone for the boy boy and a little bone for the little boy. Both dogs were very happy about that!

At a Glance

• 🚗 - Yes, but it's tight

• 🚽 - The toilet was less than impressive, but it was clean and functional. You have to go outside to use it. It could just do with a bit of an uplift, as it feels as though it's been neglected.

• 🐶 - Dogs allowed inside and outside

• ///typified.handsets.moth