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Dynamic duo embark on a new adventure with Applecross Coffee Bothy to plug gap in the market at Wester Ross visitor magnet


By Rachel Smart

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Kirsten Glover serves customers at Applecross Coffee Bothy. Picture: Dirk Schafer
Kirsten Glover serves customers at Applecross Coffee Bothy. Picture: Dirk Schafer

AN enterprising duo who spotted a gap in the visitor market in their Wester Ross community are finding their feet with a new venture.

Kirsten Glover (25) and Gregor MacKenzie (27) have taken over Applecross Coffee Bothy to meet demand during the tourist season.

Based on Applecross campsite, the coffee and food truck aims to provide happy campers and locals alike somewhere new to eat.

They are pitching campers a breakfast menu offering the classic bacon roll, overnight oats and freshly made smoothies.

Freshly caught local squat lobster and handmade burgers already gaining a favourable local reputation are on the evening menu.

Kirsten said: “We’ve both worked in hospitality since we can remember and during Covid we got remote working jobs.However, we missed the contact you get with people working in hospitality which encouraged us when the opportunity came along.”

The trailer van had been bought from Owen Kilbride by Kirsten’s mum and dad who run Applecross Walled Garden. With them being too busy to run it, she and Gregor stepped up to the challenge.

Kirsten explained: “There are a lot of places closed in Applecross a few days per week so tourists need somewhere to go."

Gregor MacKenzie serves customers at Applecross Coffee Bothy. Picture: Dirk Schafer
Gregor MacKenzie serves customers at Applecross Coffee Bothy. Picture: Dirk Schafer

Gregor said: “A lot of businesses here don’t have enough staff thanks to Brexit and there has been so much demand over the last two years, that we need something open for people when they come. We’re trying to fill that gap partly and decided the campsite was a good place to have it as there are lots of people out and about.”

Having only ever cooked at home and working as front of house staff in the past, this is a new adventure for both.

The tourist season has been quieter this year which has given the pair time to find their feet, but they expect that to change once the English schools break for summer.

They have had lots of support from the locals and notice the difference in orders depending on the weather.

“It's quite funny when it's sunny we sell more muesli and smoothies and then bacon rolls and coffee when it's raining,” joked Gregor.

Kirsten said: “We’ve had support from both locals and tourists which is really nice.”

Applecross Coffee Bothy is open Tuesday - Sunday from 8.30am-11am for breakfast and 5.30pm - 8.30pm for dinner.

If you have a local business story or picture you would like to share, get in touch by emailing rachel.smart@hnmedia.co.uk


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