Meet the woman travelling 200 miles for Scottish fish and chips

Janette Scott-Martin, from Ayrshire, is one of several foodies set to make the 200-mile round trip to the Real Food Café in Tyndrum which is known as a pit stop for travellers along the West Highland Way.

It comes as the award-winning café reintroduces its “gluten free fortnight” on October 11, with the aim to raise awareness of coeliac disease.

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The café started serving gluten free food in 2007 after witnessing the struggles of a close family member with coeliac disease. 

Coeliac disease affects an estimated 1 in 100 individuals worldwide, with many others actively avoiding gluten due to sensitivities or personal dietary preferences.

Scott-Martin (below) has been travelling to Tyndrum to enjoy a portion of gluten-free fish and chips since she was diagnosed with coeliac disease in 2006.

She said: “I think the first time we visited The Real Food Café was in 2006 when we were walking the West Highland Way. Since then, we have been many, many times.

“Twelve years ago, I was diagnosed as being coeliac and since then have been coming up to enjoy the restaurant’s gluten-free fish and chips.

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“I find the Real Food Café is one of the very few places where I can trust the food will gluten-free and with no danger of cross-contamination, and it is always consistently of a very high standard.

“Yes, it is a long way to come but it is always worth it! The fish is always beautifully cooked and the batter delicious, always!”

Last year, The Real Food Café was visited by a diner who drove a round trip of 500 miles for a portion of gluten free fish and chips during Gluten Free Fortnight and came back for a second portion before the long drive home.

This month’s event will run until October 27 with options such as battered haggis, battered sausage, a cheese and salami pot, baked salmon with roasted vegetables and the classic fish and chips supper.

Sarah Heward, owner of The Real Food Café said: “We are hugely excited about the return of Gluten Free Fortnight, which will be our fifth. 

“It really is such an important opportunity to highlight the demand for more diverse, specialist and inclusive menus and it’s something we’re proud to champion at The Real Food Café.”

“We started serving gluten-free menu options in 2007 and over the years we’ve seen that people will travel considerable distances to enjoy quality, safe and delicious gluten free meals. 

“During Gluten Free Fortnight, we expand this menu to offer a wider range of choices for customers.”