Pottery Bunkhouse in Highland

Another of my favourite cafes which has gone downhill recently! This time, they have lost the chap who was their star baker (IMO) . Soup is in quite a small bowl now but no matter…costs must be horrendous for cafes these days. But the cake selection! Mostly GF or vegan..Why?? The vast majority of people don’t require these food fad options so why make the majority of cakes along these lines? I was told , wrongly, by the girl owner that ‘they just taste the same’ but they most certainly don’t. There is no substitute for quality butter/good chocolate etc. Anyway, I chose the carrot cake which to me, was one of the best anywhere but it was truly awful. When I mentioned that the recipe seemed to have changed somewhat, I learned that their baker had left and the owner had ‘tried’ his own recipe. So disappointed in this once great wee cafe.

We stopped for coffee and desert after a long drive. The location is nicely situated and easily accessed from the main road. The owner and staff were very welcoming and ready to custom brew our coffee. The deserts were delicious and we enjoyed these looking out over field of cows with beautiful mountains in the distance. A very pleasant surprise along the way!!

Home made soup was lovely before our search for the Centre of Scotland stone! Hand made toasties were tasty too. Unable to give 5-stars as toasties were pre-made and unable to be modified. If nearby, definitely recommended. Nice handmade Scottish stoneware by Tain Pottery too to enjoy!

Fantastic, best cake in the Highlands by a long shot. Great coffee and the staff are very welcoming. I can't recommend highly enough.

I live here and have visited this place several times,when I couldn't get In to laggan bothy, which is outstanding, but each time it's been a very unwelcoming feeling, coffee is awful so bitter, cakes are either dry or wet and sloopy, they are not home made they are bought in. Never feel welcome, so as I'm a local I'm telling you don't bother with this awful place, go a wee bit down the road opposite the church and go to the laggan bothy, a warm welcome, a African grey parrot named kata, good food and lovely gifts, pictures so on.

Fabulous much needed cup of tea and scones! We were on our way back from the Isle of Skye and found this delightful coffee/tea room. Lovely peaceful setting with great views of the landscape from the modern dining conservatory. The gift shop had lots of locally made produce and crafted goods. Would definitely recommend. Only a few minutes outside of Dalwhinnie on the Old Military Road. Would make a visit again when we are back up this way.

we visited this place on Monday 3rd may 2021 the three of us queued up not a smile or hello or a thank you we had americano two cappuccinos bowl of soup slice cake and a vegan brownie the brownie was dry the cake was wet where it had been frozen the soup was water in a bowl cappuccinos were bitter and the americano was cold will not be coming back we felt ill afterwards

We came across this place on our way home to Aberdeen from Fort William. We were initially delighted to find a lunch stop in the middle of nowhere, but were soon desperate to get out of there. Very rude lady behind the counter barking orders & had an incredibly rude attitude making us feel totally unwelcome. I wanted to walk out & leave but my husband was desperate for a coffee & snack as he was doing all the driving. We didn’t bother ordering food, just coffees, which were so bitter they were undrinkable. Do not waste your time or money on visiting this place.

Great coffee. Lovely gifts and crafts on sale. Very friendly staff. Lots of parking. A welcome stop on the journey.

Not sure what has happened to the Pottery, but my wife and I went in recently and left with no wish to return. As locals we have visited a number of times and it has always been ok, not great, but ok. Today was unfriendly, empty (I can see why) and just poor quality. My flat white was nondescript, bitter and tepid. My wife had a rubbery cheese scone and an average cappuccino. Perhaps it was an off day but we won’t be back to find out.

My friend and I stopped for a coffee and cake on our way home. As soon as we arrived we were bombarded with meal deals and a lady pushing the soup. We were then informed by someone else that the meal deals were only during the week so we couldn’t have them. We settled down with our drink and cake to listen to the ladies arguing about how things should be done. Not one smile or friendly comment came our way. Other customers came in and were treated in the same offhand rude manner. Very unwelcoming. I certainly would not recommend this cafe!

Came across this lovely place on a trip towards Glenfinnan. Very small and friendly, and surprisingly busy considering its location. We had some delicious coffee and home baking which set us up nicely for our onward travels. The staff were very friendly and there was a gift shop selling pottery, gifts and woollen goods. I would definitely return here if passing again.

We stopped for coffee and a rest. Had good soup and gluten free cake. Definitely worth the time to stop, though they are so busy they could use more seating!

I love this little place. The location is just lovely, peace and quiet and views to the hills and across the fields. Wonderful home baking - best gingerbread ever. Usually good soup on the go too (very reasonably priced at £3.50).Lovely Tain pottery. Nice interesting things for sale in the shop area. My husband and I never miss a chance to stop off and enjoy the place though it does get very busy in peak season and there are only 6 tables.

On my way north to Loch Ness Shores C&CC site, I turned off the A9 at Dalwhinnie and travelled towards 'Monarch of the Glen' (former TV series) Country and Spean Bridge. Coming across the Pottery Coffee Shop, I stopped for a break. Staff were friendly and welcoming. Service was prompt. I enjoyed a latte, cheese scone and a slice of tray bake (caramel shortbread), all very welcome and delicious. I have passed the venue a number of times on my way to visit a friend in Invergarry. This is the first time I stopped and would happily stop again. There was also a gift shop selling a variety of wooden good, cards and other gifts.

We found this little place on route further up North! It came just at the right time, I’m hankering for a toilet release and my mum coffee. We turn the corner and ta da! This little place was here! When we arrived we were greeted warmly and then we saw a selection of delicious home made cakes which we hadn’t stopped for but well we couldn’t refuse could we?! We were so glad we did!! My mum has a plum tart and I the carrot cake. Both were delicious... we then had a little look around the shop there which was full of lovely items that could be a great present, although some items were quite pricy the ones I saw looked of excellent quality. We did however pick up some beautifully smelling soap. The place was very busy by the time we left all with people I overheard enjoying their soup, or cake or coffees.Highly recommend and will be stopping off on the way back too!

First trip to he Highlands and on my way to Fort William with my eldest daughter to catch that steam train going over the Glenfinnan Viaduct. Amazing scenery and then out of no where pops up this beautiful little cafe, in the most idyllic setting with a sign that just catches the eye - ‘Coffee, Cakes, Clothing & Other Yummy Things!’ Well why wouldn't’ you stop??!!Inside we were greeted by the sight of luscious cakes & scones and the aroma of coffee! Well I had to have the last piece of plum crumble, warmed up & topped with real cream, accompanied by a latte, whilst my daughter had the carrot cake and a pot of tea. The two female members of staff were both welcoming and patient whilst we initially struggled to decide which of the tempting ‘yummy things’ we were going to opt for.The cafe had a few other customers in but it wasn’t long before several others arrived bringing a lovely hum of conversation to the room. The little shop and its contents is an added extra of lovely practical and unusual items. One Highland Coo foldable backpack, 3 pop up wooden Scottish thistle cards ( for the grandchildren) & a bar of Scottish Fine Soap later we departed this lovely place. But we are determined to visit again. All in all a lovely experience.

We often vary our route to Skye to make sure we can call in to this great wee place, in a lovely situation, all on its own but right on the main road. We often detour for 10 mins also off the A9 to enjoy its delights. Soups are excellent, baking is wonderful, tartan cheese scones are the very best.There's a nice shop too with some lovely products - Scottish Fine Soaps, some unusual and stylish clothes, nice cards.It's a simple, quirky wee place inside, quite small.A big favourite, one of my top 3 in Scotland.

Glad to read that some people have found a friendly welcome here.I have been visiting on and off for years and have found the last few visits that whilst the food is still very good, especially the gingerbread, the service is far from friendly.Our enjoyment of the food this week was marred by feeling distinctly uncomfortable and unwelcome.it was still about half an hour to closing but we received some very unfriendly looks and not a word of hello etc from I think the owner and a man working there. The young man who served us was pleasant.A shame!

Strategically placed between the East coast A9 and the West Coast A82 the Pottery Bunkhouse between Dalwhinnie and Laggan offers a welcome leg-stretcher and coffee stop. Set in a quaint old steading/courtyard with ample parking, there is excellent soup and crusty bread as well as coffee, tea and mouth-watering homemade cakes. The shop also has a small woollen/jewellery/tweed souvenir area.

We stopped for lunch and loved their soup and sandwiches. What a great little find! There were also several gift items available, many of which were locally made.

One of the best ginger bread I ever ate!!!! Very warm,welcome,cosy and lovely place to stay for a cup of tea,or coffee.

If you are near here,pay it a visit. Great coffee and cake.Scones are good too. There is a retail unit also which has many unique items including jewellery and woollens.

We bypassed a nearby cafe at a bmx trails centre in the hope of finding something more suitable & stumbled on the Pottery Coffee Shoo quite by chance. The enthusiastic welcome we received & vibrant personalities of the owner & staff were infectious. The carrot cake was sumptuous & the quiet courtyard setting gorgeous in the unseasonal but welcome sunshine, Plenty of boutique clothing & gifts to browse.The shop is a little treasure!

Dropped in for coffee and cakes. Convenient situation for a stop between NW Scotland and the central belt. The cakes were wonderful. Also the range of Scottish souvenirs, clothing, on sale was of a high quality and beautifully displayed. Fast service.

Generally known as the Pottery Coffee Shop. This was a welcome break on a long journey from the Midlands to the Highlands of Scotland. There’s a shop where you can leaisurely browse (literally no staff in there! ) but more importantly good choice of Cakes & hot drinks. Then there is the view to distant Mountain rising over fields full of sheep (& young lambs when we went) as you slurp your coffee & swallow yummy cakes. Def worth a visit en route to Highlands.

Quality coffee and tempting home made cakes. Peaceful atmosphere inside and memorable scenery outside, lovely place to stop after bashing up the A9.

Best coffee of our trip, cakes and soup excellent also.

It is no longer a working pottery so it’s a bit of a misnomer as apart from a couple of stock pieces there is no pottery to see/buy.

I've been visiting this special place for over 25 years. It never disappoints and I usually end up buying a piece of clothing or jewellery or cards from the lovely range of gifts. There's something for every budget and although the clothing and textiles are pricey they are quality and not to be found everywhere. The baking is good, home-made and varied and there is a range of savoury food too at lunch-time. Lovely to sit out at the picnic benches in summer or jostle for a seat nearest the stove once the temperature drops!

Imagine this....driving along in our camper-van. Conversation dips away. I'm driving and daydreaming at the same time. It goes 'coffee and cake. Coffee and cake'

We stopped here for lunch and was pleasantly surprised.

The choice and quality of the cakes on offer is astounding. What a pleasant surprise to find such a great place in this remote area. The photo of the terrace does not do this place credit. We drank our coffee and ate our cake surrounded by flowers and tasteful ornaments. The shop is full of homemade treasures.

We've stopped hee on the way north on a number of occasions. After the first time we've made a point of having this as a snack break en route. Wonderful cakes. Pleasant staff. Seating both inside and out. By chance on every occasion we've stopped the weather has been great so we've chosen to sit outside, but inside seating is perfectly pleasant if slightly cramped. We'll definitely return.

This is a great place to pause if you're taking the beautiful "road less travelled" from Dalwhinnie to Spean Bridge. Cosy interior with a wood stove for cold days and an interesting collection of knitwear and gifts; semi-enclosed, sheltered courtyard outside for sunny days. But the real highlight is the glorious selection of home-baked scones, tarts and cakes on offer, some of the best I've ever tasted. If you have a little time to spare, it'd be a sin to pass by!

Was looking for somewhere to have coffee in the sunshine with a view when I came across this place. Lots of tables in the courtyard for glorious sunshine days. The inside looked nice as well, should you not be so fortunate with the weather.

We were travelling past Laggan and looking forward to tea and cake there as we'd been to another café there before. Unfortunately they were shut, so we were delighted to spot The Pottery Bunkhouse sign advertising cakes. (I couldn't see a name, but found that on an online map). Nowhere can I find their opening times, so I'm not sure if we stayed beyond closing time - sorry if we did. There was a good selection of teas, and a choice of home made cakes. The apple cake was delicious, the service friendly and the view of the surrounding countryside well worth stopping for.

This is our preferred coffee stop on the road to Kyle of Lochalsh from the A9 at Dalwinnie. Best coffee we can find in the area and definitely worth the price as it is fresh and tasty. The soup and cakes are too expensive but so what. Home made, delicious and just what you need on a cold winter day!

Hidden away from everything else. The staff were very cheerful. The cost of all the food and drinks were extortionate.

Great little place about 10 minutes off the A9 at Dalwhinnie. Good tea, coffee and baking. They also serve lunch- sandwiches etc- although we were just there for morning coffee. Friendly staff and a nice gift shop.

Looking up to the monument to Cluny McPherson from the car park, at the end of General Wade's Military Road from Dalwhinnie (a great drive!), this was a really lovely place to stop for coffee. Fantastic homemade cakes (not cheap, but this is the middle of the highlands, nowhere near any supermarkets!) and good coffee and tea, I would very definitely stop here again and would encourage others to stop too. The little highland goods shop adds a little. Good to support local highland enterprise!

My wife and kids had some of the pastries and said they were wonderful. The little store also includes pottery and wool clothing items. The setting is really nice and laid back and it was a great place to stop on our way from Edinburgh to Fort William.

We left Dalwhinnie and were en route to Loch Ness and desperately needed to stop for refreshment. Came across this place; car park was full and it looked like the ideal place for tea and cake.

So often cafes etc advertise 'home-baking' and you can tell from the dull chocolate toppings and overly sweet sponge cake that is certainly ain't :(

We usually pay between £7.20 - £8.00 for 2 coffees and 2 scones. Here we paid £9.40 and the fruit scones were not fresh. The lady was keen to heat them up for us and now we can see why. Very disappointed. Would not go here again.

November visit heading home from Edinburgh and fed up with the A9 as usual, A few cars in but seating still available in the shop. A nice coffee and piece of cake is a deserved break on our journey. This looks like becoming a regular stop at staff are nice and friendly and the service quick and efficient. Time for a look around the knitwear etc. now. A newish extension with more seating was closed for the season, but very pleased that it was still open.

Dopo ore di viaggio, a circa metà strada da Portree a Edimburgo, ci siamo casualmente imbattuti in questo Caffè per una breve sosta rifocillatrice.

Arrived with the family for coffee and bite and was told that although the espresso machine was working I couldn't have an espresso and my wife couldn't have a cappuccino because......

I've been going here since it opened. If in the area this is the watering hole of choice. Always friendly and relaxed with excellent food and drinks. My favourite is the teabread, but don't eat it all as might be in later and want some.

Just off the A889 with views up into the mountains and over the upper reaches of the River Spey the restaurant is in the middle of an old steading. The gravelled courtyard provides a charming sitting out spot in the warm weather with well stocked borders and flower beds. Inside there is a cheery wood-burning stove and a counter displaying the most delicious food all baked on the premises. We have enjoyed warm cheesy scones, carrot cake, Cambridge tart and apple custard cake. Soup is freshly made with a scattering of seasonal herbs and home baked bread. Coffee and tea is of a high standard.