I am well aware that being a London-based vegan means I am spoilt. It has a plethora of vegan restaurants to choose from, so venturing out of the city can invoke a sense of uncertainty, particularly when planning trips to remote locations.

Thankfully, there are an increasing number of plant-based options to be unearthed, and a recent trip to the Scottish Highlands presented me with several surprising vegan finds.

Regardless of where your adventure takes you, pre-planning pays dividends. My go-to is HappyCow, and I was thrilled to discover two vegan cafés close to where I stayed in Inverness.

An instant favourite and a returning visitor

Upon arrival, I was just in time to catch a late lunch at Culture Cafe & Deli. Its homely dining room aesthetic and friendly staff make you feel instantly welcome. With a display cabinet filled with fresh salads, toasties, and mouthwatering cakes, I knew I’d leave beyond satiated. 

I ordered a mixed salad bowl, breakfast burrito, and risotto ball. I relished every dish, but the showstopper was the accompanying turmeric latte. It was flavourful and frothy with a nice spicy kick. I was so smitten that I returned every morning on my daily trek to stock up on toasties for lunch and a latte for the car ride.

It would also be remiss of me if I didn’t mention the fudge from a local supplier they sold in their little pantry; it was soft and creamy with just the right amount of sweetness. I chose the whisky flavour - I was in Scotland, after all - and its subtle undertone worked perfectly. Fudge and whisky are not normally my thing, but this completely won me over.

Mark Flood

Vegan sausage rolls in unexpected places

In 2019, Greggs took the UK by storm with their vegan take on their classic sausage roll. The resulting popularity encouraged many other eateries to offer something similar. Where I did not expect to find one was at the Corrieshalloch Gorge National Nature Reserve. 

This relatively new visitor centre is the gateway to a spectacular mile-long canyon carved out during the ice age. I grabbed a sausage roll at their café before walking through the woodland trails and taking in the stunning views from the various suspension bridges. 

The other one

Back in Inverness, nestled at the back of the Victorian Market food hall is Salt N Fire café. This is the second fully vegan eatery in the city. One of the benefits of this street food vendor is the late-night opening on Friday and Saturday. 

After a day of exertion and fresh air their deep-fried wontons and peanut-topped Szechuan noodles were unbelievably satisfying. While there are many Pan-Asian dishes on their menu, it is international in nature so there is something for everyone. Definitely one to visit when in town.

Mark Flood

Heading west from Inverness

Fort William sits on the west coast of the Highlands, so I headed there to visit another fully vegan café, The Wildcat. This was the perfect destination, as the route took me along the banks of Loch Ness. There is no shortage of picturesque stops along the way, so it took a while to get from one end to the other, and I added many more visually stunning images to my digital photo album. Unfortunately, despite keeping a watchful eye on the lake I didn’t manage to catch the elusive Nessie. One day, maybe. With additional stops at the canal locks at Fort Augustus and Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Scotland, I finally arrived at Fort William.

Mark Flood

At the café, I was presented with one of the largest displays of cakes and sweet pastries I’ve ever encountered. Despite this sugary distraction, I ordered something savoury. As I waited for the food to be served, I admired the framed photography hanging on the walls. Each image conveyed a poignant message around animal rights and environmental destruction and reinforced the need for us all to do better.

With a hearty lentil soup and a sweet potato curry filling my stomach to bursting, I ordered more treats to takeaway. The cream-topped hot chocolate, more chocolate in cake form, and the raspberry-layered flapjack got my vote. I also couldn’t resist purchasing a couple of their bold statement bamboo coasters. These now live proudly on my coffee table, awaiting use by unsuspecting guests. 

Mark Flood

Mountain top desserts

On the final day of my trip, I headed to Cairngorm Mountain, one of the higher peaks accessible by car. I wanted to challenge myself and burn off some excess calories after several days of indulgence. In summer, there is lots on offer, including guided walks, biking, and even a mini railway. In winter, it transforms into the perfect destination for skiing. 

It was cold and wet when I went, so after my trek, I headed to the café for a hot drink to warm up. I was also a little peckish, but expectations were low. However, not only did they have a plant-based cheese and pesto sandwich, but there was also a cabinet full of delectable sweet treats from Pure Bakery Highland. I ordered the chocolate and jammie dodger cakes and the gluten-free lemon cookie for my friends and I to share. We then sat in front of the crackling wood fire, warming our toes and savouring our energy-boosting treats. 

Mark Flood

The trip certainly ended on a high. As I returned home, I reflected on the fact that wherever you travel, you can always be surprised by what vegan delights are waiting to be found.

For more inspiration on vegan travel hotspots, you might be interested in destinations we’ve featured that are a little further afield than the Highlands, like Zurich, or even Sydney.