Harbour Tearooms

Lossiemouth is much more likely to be thought of as a town near an RAF base, rather than a hot pick on a coffee shop enthusiasts to do list.  However, overlooking the harbour is the Tearoom. In a building which once housed the nets and all the paraphernalia of the fishing industry, today the fishing boats are all gone and have been replaced with leisure yachts, and the buildings have been renovated to become flats, shops and tearooms.

The Harbour Tearooms are located in several of these storage areas, with the arched doorways glassed over to make windows. Inside is a low ceilinged room that pays homage to the history of the area, and gives the visitor the feeling of how things were in a bye-gone era.

An eclectic mix of tables and chairs are set with blue cloths underneath, and pink and white cloths on top, while the crockery is in different styles of the blue and white willow pattern. The rough white walls abound with sepia photographs of Lossiemouth’s fishermen and women in their heyday, including those of the family of owner Janice Raynes. Other walls have swathes of fishing nets covered with cod, plaice and lobsters; baskets of flowers hang from the ceiling, all contributing to a very pleasing overall effect.

The menu also reflects its fishing and Scottish history; cullen skink, mince tatties and skirlie, stovies, smoked haddock with poached eggs and clootie dumplings, as well as ‘things on toast’ like smoked haddock, sardines and tomato. The usual soup, sandwiches, bakes and scones were also available. Everything superbly prepared and presented.

The loos reflect the fun atmosphere. Unfortunately the ladies were out of commission and we had to use the men's. Beautifully clean, but on the walls were little saucy pictures of young ladies of the 1950s in situations which caused their stocking tops to be revealed! Wonder what was on offer in the ladies?

Outside seating is also available.

Why should I go there? The food, atmosphere and the setting.

Any negatives? There’s a tendency to over indulge in the remembered foods of your childhood.

Before or After? 
1. A walk round the harbour area.
2. Further along is a pedestrian bridge over the water to some fantastic sandy areas - touch of a desert island here.
3. About 1 – 11/2 miles east of the town on the coastal road are woods which offer walks. Especially good if you have a dog.


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