And just like that our family moon in Dumfries & Galloway has to come to an end, with our final stop off for breakfast at The Boathouse.
Whilst exploring the area of Dumfries & Galloway, we’ve been able to enjoy some amazing food next to our holiday lodge at The Crab Pot. Also, taking in the beautiful coastal scenery at The Steamboat Inn whilst indulging into a beer tasting flight.
Now, before taking in the last few sights of Scotland on the journey home, our Beer Connoisseur, Luke, chose a hearty, warming breakfast to start the day. Also, it was ideal where we were because we were about to explore Caerlaverock Castle which is a short drive from The Boathouse Inn.
First Impressions of The Boathouse
The trip to the The Boathouse was not a direct route from the Barend Holiday Lodges in Sandyhills, Dalbeattie.
Because there’s no bridge connecting the A710 to Glencaple, where The Boathouse is located, you need to follow the A710 all the way to Dumfries, loop around the River Nith, and then head back towards the opposite side. This can make you feel like you’re retracing your steps.
Arriving into the car park of The Boathouse, showcased beautiful surroundings. There was the River Nith running alongside the building, the hills rising up into the sky in the distance and then there was the restaurant itself, with the small tiny round windows that you expect on an actual boat.
One thing, we would say is that The Boathouse location is on the outskirts of the village next to the Nith. Also, if you time it right, you’ll get to see a magnificent tidal bore come up the river from the Solway Firth. Also, make sure when you’re parking, you check your mirrors because there is no barrier around the edge of the car park and right below your feet is the river.
Walking inside The Boathouse, took our eyes by surprise, it felt really clean and bright inside. There was even a small gift shop inside the restaurant as well, which had a wide selection of local produce and beverages.
Main review of The Boathouse
There weren’t many people inside the restaurant, the waitress pointed to our table which was next to the window, but this was a bit too open for us as we prefer to sit out of the way, as we had brought our dogs. However, she then directed us over to a booth area which was sheltered, it was perfect for us and the dogs (note: we did call up in advance to reserve a table, which we would recommend you doing, particularly if you have two or more dogs).
After we ordered our hot drinks, it was time to decide what to have for breakfast. Luke and Chris went all out and opted for the Boathouse Breakfast (£13.95 pp) which was a bargain for the price.
My wife Isobel chose the Scottish Smoked Salmon Bagel (£12.25 pp) and Isobel’s mum Jayne went for the Bacon Benny (£11.85).
The quality of food served at The Boathouse
Before breakfast arrived, something unique was occurring outside and both connoisseurs had to go investigate. When we arrived at The Boathouse Inn, the river was at low tide which meant you could walk down to the river and have a walk along the shore line. But now there was a spill of water which was almost like a vortex of waves which announced the arrival of the tide was coming in. Interesting, Luke and Chris found this amazing, as it’s something you don’t normally see, but the staff at the Restaurant pointed out that this is something that happens twice a day and literally customers will always go outside to film it.
After watching the tide make its way down the River Nith, food arrived at the table and from our eyes the presentation looked absolutely amazing.
The Boathouse Breakfast came with beans that weren’t the usual baked kind — they were more like a five-bean chilli mix, and spectacularly, they were homemade. As a nice finishing touch, the beans came served in a small fish-shaped dish.
The breakfast was so good, we all emptied our plates and passed our compliments onto the kitchen team. As a family, we’ve had some amazing breakfast experiences over the years, but this certainly has to be by far the winning ticket.
Our Conclusion
The Boathouse Inn rounded off the holiday in such good spirit. It’s a fantastic place to have a family meal and the quality of ingredients is worth it.
Having the gift shop inside the restaurant is a beautiful added touch. It’s unique and a great way of buying local produce for feasting on if you’re going out for the day to explore the area.
On a laughable matter, Luke pointed out something very bizarre where the Toilets were and it’s not something you normally see. But The Boathouse Inn was proudly presented in 2019, Platinum, for Loo Of The Year awards. This was something to have a small laugh about, but does show that they care about hygiene and cleanliness.
All in all, The Boathouse is certainly a place we recommend to you for food. Although the journey to the restaurant is long winded, that won’t stop you from enjoying yourselves. And the highlight is once you have finished your meal, you can explore the Caerlaverock Castle and make a day of it.
Cheers
P.S. We’re already planning our next trip to Scotland
