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Here at Red Bus Bistro, a great amount of thought is given to choosing suppliers for our bus tours. We look for many things such as provenance, quality and of course price. When it came to choosing our signature Gin supplier, the decision was easy. The good people at The Gin Bothy proved they had all the attributes we were looking for and more!

Located in Kirriemuir in the foothills of the breathtaking Glens of Angus, owner Kim Cameron happened upon her gin business almost accidentally. Originally a jam maker and owner of Peel Farm Coffee shop & Crafts, Kim’s creative output initially won her an award for her jam making skills when she became the World Jampionship Jampion. Ever the entrepreneur, and on her mum’s suggestion, the fruits leftover from the jam-making process were soon put to good use and infused into her first batch of gin.

The Gin Bothy was born. The Old Smiddy  near Kirriemuir became home to Kim’s artisan production line where the gin batches were made by hand, using simple accoutrements like jugs and buckets.  With the ongoing success of the company, Kim has since moved to larger premises where customers are encouraged to bring back their bottles in exchange for money off their next purchase. Recycling at its best.

Following the ethos of the Slow Food Movement, Kim ensures that her gin batches are not mass produced. She follows the same fruit calendar for jam making with initial infusions of raspberry, strawberry, sloe and chili sourced from the local area.

Gin Foraging

One of the advantages of living in such idyllic surroundings is the opportunity to go foraging. In May when gorse is in plentiful supply, the brilliant yellow flower is transformed into gorse flower syrup, which is then used as a natural flavouring for gin. Infused with essence of coconut and butter almond, the gorse flower syrup is a wonderful addition to Kim’s gin.

Then there is Mulled Gin, often described as ‘Christmas in a Glass’, this aromatic drink infused with cinnamon, clove and nutmeg heightens the senses while warming the soul.

The Bothy Original takes you back to the hills with hints of heather, hawthorn berries, milk thistle, and the refreshing aroma of pine needles while hearty Gunshot makes an ideal accompaniment to a good book in front of a roaring fire.

Old-School Glamour

Most recently for Mother’s Day, Red Bus Bistro collaborated with The Gin Bothy and served up the delectable Rose Gin Cocktail with our eclectic afternoon tea. This cocktail was such a hit on the Glasgow and Edinburgh bus tours, that we have reproduced the recipe for you below:

Rose Cocktail Ingredients

50ml – Gin Bothy Rose Liqueur
15ml – Crème De Violette Liqueur
25ml – Lemon Juice
Elderflower Tonic
Method
Add ice to Boston Shaker add ingredients shake well.
Pour into a wine glass along with the ice.
Top with Elderflower Tonic
Garnish with Mint Leaves and Rose Petals

Other options to try include:

Bothy Original Gin

Mulled Infused Gin

Gunshot Infused Gin

Stirrup Cup

Speycast

Blueberry Infused Liquer

Raspberry Infused Liqueur

Amaretto Infused Liqueur

Chili Infused Liqueur

Rhubarb Infused Liqueur

Sloe Infused Liqueur

Strawberry Infused Liqueur

Gingerbread Infused Liqueur

To find out more go to www.ginbothy.co.uk

Or email [email protected]

Red Bus Bistro gets set to host its first ever Burns Supper.  Celebrating the life and times of Scotland’s National Poet: Robert “Rabbie” Burns.

This tour is perfect for tourists and natives alike, and the lads and lasssies aboard are proud to celebrate its national bard.

Oor Menu

Dram of Whisky Upon Arrival

Starter:

Cock a leekie Soup with a warm bread roll

Mains:

Haggis, Neeps and Tatties, accompanied by a whisky sauce

Or:

Vegetarian Haggis, Neeps and Tatties, accompanied with a whisky sauce.

Dessert:

Cranachan

To Finish:

Coffee, tea with thistle chocolates and a wee nip fir the road

For more information please call: 01355 229448 or email [email protected]

Taken from The Edinburgh Reporter

From this weekend the owner of a 1966 Routemaster will offer passengers afternoon tea or a gourmet burger tour when they step aboard.

Alison Simpson wants to capitalise on the Scottish reputation for quality food and drink. She says that £1 in every £5  spent by tourists is spent on food and drink during their visit. She now aims to capture the domestic and overseas markets with a tour of the city in twelve different languages and the very best of Scottish produce on the way.

The Red Bus Bistro will be fully staffed by a friendly smartly dressed crew who will wear Blackwatch tartan uniforms, and all equipped with local insights into the city’s many attractions.

There will be Free Wifi on board so that guests can download the Red Bus Bistro Tour App for the one or two hour tours.

The Afternoon Tea Tours and Gourmet Burger Tours depart at 12pm, 3pm and 5.30pm with the first tour consisting of a selection of freshly made sandwiches presented on beautifully decorated three-tiered, slate platters. Homemade pastries, award winning cupcakes and warm, home baked scones with traditional preserves and clotted cream bring a whole new meaning to ‘meals on wheels’. Diners can choose hot drinks from an array of specially selected breakfast and herbal teas and freshly brewed barista coffees prepared by Alison in a modified kitchen situated on the bottom deck. Afternoon Tea Tour is £34.50 per person.

An Evening Gourmet Burger Tour offers a unique, night time experience for passengers to witness the wonderful illuminated landmarks of Scotland’s capital. Diners can book their menu choice online ahead of the tour, selecting either a 7oz Angus Burger, Cajun Chicken Burger, Slow Roasted Pulled Pork Burger or Mushroom Blue Cheese Burger, all served on warm brioches and accompanied by seasoned fries and onion rings. Gourmet Burger Tour £39.50 per person.

The Red Bus Bistro Tours depart from Bay 16 at Edinburgh Bus Station and covers some of the most popular landmarks including attractions such as; Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyrood House, Charlotte Square, South Lothian Road, Castle Terrace, Spittal Street, Lady Lawson Street, Forrest Road, Candlemaker Row, Grassmarket, Lawnmarket, George IV Bridge, Chambers Street, South Bridge, Royal Mile, Canongate, Horse Wynd, Abbeyhill, Waterloo Place, Princes Street.

Alison Simpson, Owner of Red Bus Bistro, said; “During my days off from work on the airlines I fell in love with a restaurant on the Cayman Islands which was in fact a double decker bus offering excellent food! Quality food and drink is becoming more and more important to people as we all become more concerned with eating fresh, local produce and this is an important part of the visitor experience for particularly our international visitors.

“As a Scot who is passionate about my country the double decker bus idea inspired me to offer a combination of excellent, fresh food with a tour of Edinburgh’s top sights in a Routemaster Bus which is already turning heads and very much stands out from the crowd!”

For more information on the Red Bus Bistro visit www.redbusbistro.co.uk or telephone 01355 229 448 or 07484 073 355 and on social channels; Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Photography from:  Colin Hattersley Photography – [email protected] – www.colinhattersley.com – 07974 957 388