Background image - Argyll Seafood Trail Seafood Coll Hotel

Isle of Islay. Credit: Glenegedale House

Discover the Argyll Seafood Trail

Reviewed: October 2026

If you love Scottish seafood, then you’ll love Argyll and the Isles. An incredible array of fish and shellfish is hauled fresh from the surrounding waters, from langoustines and lobsters to mussels and mackerel. You’ll also find a host of hotels, restaurants, and seafood shacks serving up this delicious local seafood in breathtakingly beautiful coastal locations. In some places, you can even head to the harbour to pick up your shellfish as it’s landed.

Seafood across Argyll & the Isles

With so much seafood on offer in Argyll, it’s hard to decide where to start. Plan your own seafood trail through Argyll and the Isles on Scotland’s west coast. Choose from the mainland and island stops below, and check opening days, menus and booking arrangements before travelling. For island visits, check your ferry connections too.

Loch Lomond and Clyde Sea Lochs

The seaside town of Helensburgh is a fantastic seafood destination.

On Colquhoun Square, Sugar Boat serves seasonal bistro menus using local produce. Check the latest menu before your visit.

Loch Fyne & Cowal

For seafood fresh from the loch, you simply can’t beat the Loch Fyne Oyster Bar & Restaurant. At Clachan, near Cairndow at the head of Loch Fyne, visit Loch Fyne Oyster Bar & Deli for seafood and smoked fish. The business began farming oysters in 1978, with early sales from a roadside shed. The Creggans Inn is another Loch Fyne dining delight with plenty of local seafood on the menu.

For world-class dining, a trip to Inver on Loch Fyne is a must. On the shores of Loch Fyne, Inver serves seasonal Scottish food, including local seafood. Choose an à la carte lunch or book a six-course tasting menu for dinner. Check current opening days before travelling. For dinner, it’s a fixed, four-course menu of modern, creative Scottish cooking. Portavadie is another stunning lochside setting where you can enjoy fresh seafood cooked to perfection.

Over in Colintraive, The Colintraive Hotel serves seasonal dishes with views over the Kyles of Bute. Its changing menu features local produce, with Tarbert-landed langoustines among the seafood examples.

Background image - Argyll Seafood Trail Seafood Shack

Kintyre and Gigha

Kintyre has a diverse coastline, with the Atlantic to the west, Kilbrannan Sound to the east and West Loch Tarbert and Loch Fyne to the north. No wonder there’s so much great seafood on offer!

Tarbert, the gateway to Kintyre, is home to a fishing fleet that lands high-quality fish and shellfish. From the quayside to the kitchen is just metres away! Visit the seasonal Skipness Seafood Cabin for local seafood near Skipness Castle. Check its current menu and opening days before travelling. Nearby, Skipness Smokehouse produces smoked salmon, haddock, kippers and pâté.

On Gigha, The Boathouse sits beside Ardminish Bay and specialises in Scottish seafood. Check its changing menu and ‘Fresh Ins’ board, and book ahead. The restaurant opens seasonally

Inveraray, Crinan & Tayvallich

In Inveraray, Samphire is a small restaurant specialising in locally sourced seafood. Check its current menu and reserve a table before visiting. Follow the road around Loch Fyne to Lochgilphead, where you’ll find Murray Smoked Products. The smokehouse is based in Ford at the south end of Loch Awe, but the team has a fresh fish shop in Lochgilphead where you can buy their smoked products and fresh, local seafood.

At the Crinan Hotel, choose dinner in the Westward Restaurant or seafood in the Seafood Bar. On fine days, enjoy lunch outside with views over the canal. The rooftop Lock 16 restaurant is available from June to September for groups of six or more or private parties. Contact the hotel to book.

On a sunny day, enjoy your meal at The Tayvallich Inn, on the deck overlooking the harbour.

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Oban and Lorn

The fishing port of Oban is known as ‘Scotland’s Seafood Capital.’ You could spend many happy days sampling all the great seafood in this bustling town.

At No. 1 Railway Pier, the Waterfront Fishouse serves seafood small plates designed for sharing. The menu includes Loch Creran oysters, scallops and langoustines, alongside its full-sized fish and chips. On Oban’s North Pier, Ee-Usk serves seafood with bay views.

Green Shack: “For a casual seafood stop, head to Oban Seafood Hut, also known as the Green Shack, beside the CalMac terminal. Enjoy takeaway seafood at the outdoor tables.

Head to Oban’s famous Green Shack on the CalMac Pier for more fresh seafood. It’s an al fresco, takeaway-only shack that serves enormous seafood platters and possibly the best crab sandwiches you’ll ever taste.

Head north of Oban to the Pierhouse Hotel at Port Appin for even more great seafood. The hotel has an award-winning seafood restaurant. Head south to Loch Melfort Hotel at Arduaine for seasonal food with views over Asknish Bay. Its restaurant serves both restaurant dishes and bistro favourites, including locally sourced seafood. The view over Asknish Bay, out to Shuna and Jura, is breathtaking.

Islay and Jura

Islay is famed for its smoky, single malt whiskies, over-wintering geese and miles of sandy beaches. It’s also seafood heaven. Islay’s seafood includes locally caught shellfish and oysters farmed at Loch Gruinart.

Head to the Rhinns of Islay and stay at the Port Charlotte Hotel, a beachfront hotel with stunning views and cracking seafood. Seafood platters are a speciality at the beachside Port Charlotte Hotel.

At Ardbeg Distillery on Islay’s south coast, dining changes with the seasons. Visit the Old Kiln Café from October to March, or the Ardstream trailer from April to September. Check the current menu and opening days before visiting.

The Port Askaig Hotel, on the shores of the Sound of Islay and overlooking the pier, is another fabulous spot for local seafood. This old drover’s inn has a brilliant beer garden and fabulous views of the Paps of Jura.

From Port Askaig, take the vehicle-and-passenger ferry to Feolin on Jura. Arrange onward travel to Craighouse for the Jura Hotel, and check its current menu and dining times before setting off.

For seafood on the water, join Islay Sea Adventures on a seasonal trip from Port Ellen Marina. Enjoy scallops cooked aboard the boat, with other local shellfish depending on availability. Book ahead and check sailing arrangements.

Background image - Argyll Seafood Trail Port Askaig 2

Mull and Iona

Mull is fantastic for seafood. Local boats land a huge range of fish, while oysters and mussels are harvested off its shores. Head to Tobermory Harbour to watch the boats land the catch of the day at Fishermen’s Pier. Mull is famous for its juicy, plump scallops. For smoked fish, head to the Tobermory Fish Company, situated just above Tobermory Bay.

For local seafood, try Café Fish in Tobermory. The Creel is another fabulous place for feasting on fresh fish. This tiny seafood bar by the ferry terminal at Fionnphort on the Ross of Mull serves up delicious seafood, most of which the owner catches or local divers and suppliers bring in. It’s landed at the pier just next to the café – you don’t get much fresher than that!

In Craignure, Pennygate Lodge welcomes residents and visitors for evening meals showcasing seasonal produce from Mull and across Scotland. Book a table before visiting.

Visit The Boathouse on the tiny island of Ulva for even more great seafood. The ferry runs on demand – you summon it by uncovering the red panel at the ferry station. The Boathouse’s menu changes with local landings, featuring shellfish such as lobster, langoustines and crab.

On the island of Iona, you can pick up freshly caught seafood from Iona Seafood, including langoustine, crab, lobster and fish.

Coll and Tiree

Out in the Atlantic, Coll and Tiree offer plenty of opportunities to enjoy seafood.

The Coll Hotel’s changing menus feature locally caught seafood alongside other island produce.

On the Isle of Tiree, Tiree Lobster and Crab in Scarinish sells just-landed lobster and crab from the family boat, as well as other seafood such as oysters and scallops when they’re available, throughout the year.

At Hynish on Tiree, Alan Stevenson House serves local produce, including crab and lobster, in its restaurant beside the historic harbour. Check the current menu and book ahead for dinner.

Explore more seafood restaurants and producers across Argyll and the Isles, and choose your next coastal food stop.

FAQs

Where should I start a seafood trail in Argyll?
Choose a starting point near your accommodation. Options in this guide include Helensburgh, Loch Fyne, Inveraray and Oban, with island stops for a longer trip.

Are seafood restaurants in Argyll open all year?
Opening arrangements vary. Some restaurants, seafood cabins and boat trips operate seasonally. Check each operator’s current opening days before travelling.

Where can I buy seafood to cook myself?
Try the Loch Fyne Deli, Murray Smoked Products’ Lochgilphead shop or Iona Seafood. Check availability and ordering arrangements directly with the supplier.