New Moray coast outdoor eatery – Bootlegger's Bothy – serves over 5000 in first fortnight
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A MORAY coastal restaurant forced to diversify to survive amid Covid-19 has served more than 5,000 people at its new outdoor kitchen in its first fortnight.
The team behind the Bothy Bistro in Burghead have worked to ensure business survival by creating a Covid-compliant, fully-equipped outdoor kitchen set back from the Hopeman shore at West Beach Caravan Park.
Bootlegger's Bothy, like its parent restaurant, specialises in fresh, local produce, serving up fish, mussels and langoustines straight off Burghead and Hopeman boats.
The Bothy Bistro team turned two shipping containers into kitchen spaces, addressing restrictions likely to be placed on the industry, to provide outdoor, Covid-compliant dining in one of Moray's beauty spots.
Ruth and Barry Scott, who opened The Bothy Bistro in 2011, said: "With the restaurant closed, it’s been a very challenging few months for all in our industry.
"When restrictions were imposed we knew that The Bothy Bistro in its current form would not be viable until restrictions were completely lifted.
"This left us with two options: mothball the business or find a solution to the restrictions facing the industry. With the Bootlegger’s Bothy, we combine our superb and experienced team with a magnificent location, and thanks to the space in the park, can abide by all social distancing rules.
"Bootlegger’s has three open fire grills, where our meat and vegetables are put on to slow roast or smoke for the day’s service. We have been so busy, people are queuing for over an hour, especially on sunny evenings.
"We’re delighted to be back doing what we love, and will look forward to welcoming people from further afield when the time is right."
The breads are all baked on site and drinks are served from Peggy, the vintage Citroen H van.
Bootlegger’s Bothy is open from Wednesday to Sunday, 10am-6pm, with extended opening hours till 7pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
To find out more visit the Bothy Bistro Facebook page or follow @bothybistro on Instagram.
