Hectors Bothy — Restaurant in Scotland

Just had an early (1130 hrs) inedible steak and ale pie (only vegetable choice was baked beans or mushy peas) that had incredibly high level of salt added. First bite was horrible and I managed only a third of it before feeling too sick to continue. Interestingly, the mushy peas were a little under salted (they can often be over-salted elsewhere). Nevertheless, I paid full price and didn’t request a discount. However, I had to warn them that it was inedible and shouldn’t be sold.

Then the owner appeared with an unfortunate manner, saying it was my fault “You can’t eat normal levels of salt or you’re lying”. Their friends said they had it yesterday and it was fine, with owner selling 30 portions with no complaint (it was 1200hrs, so this must have been the day before).

I asked them to taste their steak pie kitchen stock (it was a casserole which they cover with a puff pastry lid), but they refused to taste it and she would continue selling it, without checking it first. The owner is always right!

So, if you don’t like your food very very heavily salted, or complain and face a negative response, then this place is not for you.

In response to the owner and her "facts": I did not ask for a refund at any point, so your "refusal" to give one is not a true account. I did not complain that the chips or mushy peas were salty (they weren't). I complained about the pie gravy being inedible - I ate the pastry picked out the meat until I felt sick. Most of it was still in the plate, that is why the waitress asked me if it was OK. I told her that it was too salty and I couldn't eat anymore. 3. I paid, before I asked them to taste it so that they would not sell it to other customers. At no time did I demand a refund so this appears to what she imagined must have happened.

Perhaps the owner will explain why she refused to taste it? I guess that fact didn't matter (or she knew it was far too salty).

To believe that I had any other motive to complain is strangely defensive, or paranoid.

Bottom line is that I found it inedible due to very high salt levels. That's a fact about a customer's experience. I guess that doesn't matter either. I think the owners' response to my complaints makes it clear what you can expect - "you're wrong. The food is excellent whatever you think".

Dreadful response (both in the cafe and online) to a...

It can be slightly hit and miss, just really depends who is in the kitchen.

I've had a couple of visits where I've kind of pushed the food around the plate, covered it with a napkin, paid and left! I'm not a verbal complainer, I'm not confrontational, I just want consistency when I'm out dining...I go back again and again as there's just no other cafe in the area that offers the same comfort and ambiance in its surroundings.

It's unfortunate the food can sometimes let them down...I now know who the good cook is, seen them through the crack of the kitchen door! When they're working it's fantastic just about every time... Anyone else not quite the same. If only they could train the rest the same standards of cooking, the place would be even more famous than just for it's location. Problem is their level of knowledge is not easily taught to others...it's learnt by way of experience and time served! You can just tell, they're very good!

You also have to feel sorry for the guys out front...they do an amazing shift whenever I've been around but my god do they earn their money!!! It's strange a third person isn't alongside them more often serving customers so they can provide better all round experiences to...

Popped in for a spot lunch cross dinner as it was later in the afternoon, we had fish and chips and my girl had chicken burger and chips,first all the fish was definitely not fresh and came soggy and gooey on even oped up it was messy and no crispyness to us whatsoever lacked any taste and the chips felt part cooked and chunky to chew at times just not enjoyable salad came out with no dressing dry as a stick and diced like you would feed to rabbits! The chicken burger felt like a cheap economy burger inside a dry roll chips were poor salad once again had no dressing! The best thing about the whole thing was the latte £25 later we left half our food as we couldn’t stomach eating it! Kyle really needs a decent cafe with it sorely lacks I get the feeling that they have a cook but not an actual chef. Really disappointing tbh was in last year at it was much better! Not sure we will will be back. Over poor really for...