Stirling & Forth Valley’s first-ever Gluten Free Fortnight is here and we’re chuffed with the fantastic range of businesses from across the Valley that are taking part. In this blog post, we’re going to have a look at the participating venues and the gluten free dishes and activities they have prepared for you to try over the course of the two weeks of the campaign.
What is Stirling & Forth Valley Gluten Free Fortnight
But first things first, what is Stirling & Forth Valley Gluten Free Fortnight? It is a campaign which champions Stirling and Forth Valley as a destination for those following a gluten free diet. Its aim is to establish the Forth Valley Region as a destination recognised for its pledge to offer safe gluten free food and drink experiences as well as increase awareness of the Coeliac disease.
Gluten Free Fortnight runs from 14th – 30th October 2022 and all participating hospitality venues (cafes, pubs, restaurants, hotels) prepared special menus or dishes and some host special gluten free events.
Gluten Free Fortnight was launched in 2019 by The Real Food Café in Tyndrum by Sarah Heward, who is one of 24 Regional Food Tourism Ambassadors, a new programme by Scotland Food & Drink and Scottish Tourism Alliance which places food tourism at the heart of the recovery of Scotland’s tourism and food and drink sectors.
Coeliac Disease Awareness Training
It is estimated that 1 in 100 people worldwide have coeliac disease – it is not an allergy but an autoimmune condition. Being gluten free because of coeliac disease is not a choice. Having confidence that hospitality businesses are following best practice, takes away the anxiety around eating out for people with coeliac disease and their family/friends. There is also a large proportion of the people who although not coeliac, are sensitive to gluten and make the choice to exclude it from their diet.
This is why staff in every business participating in the Gluten Free Fortnight had to complete a Coeliac UK awareness training before being invited to take part in the campaign. One hundred people across twenty-one local food and drink businesses completed the training and some of the businesses are now working toward Coeliac UK accreditation.
Businesses Participating in Gluten Free Fortnight 2022
A small number of high-quality businesses are involved in the first Forth Valley Gluten Free Fortnight offering a good range of food & drink experiences.
All of them prepared special menus or dishes and some will host special gluten free events.
1. The Real Food Cafe
The Real Food Cafe is an A grade Coeliac UK Accredited Caterer that has been serving up award winning gluten free dishes since 2005. Their business is a force for good with a vision rooted in community, family & authenticity. They are committed to playing an active role in their local community and sustainability plays a vital role in their business.
The Real Food Cafe is situated on the main A82 and the West Highland Way at Tyndrum approximately half way between Glasgow and Fort William. It is open Daily between 07.30 and 21.00.
Sarah Heward (The Real Food Cafe’s owner, Regional Food Tourism Ambassador for Stirling & Forth Valley) said: “Confidence in a premises serving safe and tasty food is a real draw and we’re not only attracting coeliac customers. They’re bringing their friends and family along too. It’s a unique selling point and contributes significantly to our revenue.”
2.The Brig O’Turk Tearoom, Brig O’Turk
Brig O’Turk Tearoom is a vegetarian tearoom situated in the heart of the Trossachs National Park. A quaint 1920s building, famous for its use in the 1959s remake of 39Steps.
The Tearoom serves delicious homemade cafe style meals, cakes & traybakes with plenty of gluten free options available. You can view Brig O’Turk Tearoom’s regular menu on this page. The Tearoom will serve daily autumn gluten free specials during Gluten Free Fortnight and on Sunday 23rd October their menu will be entirely gluten free because of the gluten free cooking demo they are hosting.
The Brig O’Turk is situated in the heart of Trossachs. Only around five miles away from Aberfoyle and Callander The address of the Brig o’ Turk Tearoom is Brig o’ Turk, Glenfinglas Road, Callander.
Parking and bicycle parking is available just outside.
Opening hours:
Monday – Wednesday CLOSED
Thursday 10:00 – 17:00
Friday 10:00 – 17:00, 18:30 – 21:00
Saturday 10:00 – 17:00
Sunday 10:00 – 17:00
Trust us if we say that there is a lot to do around.
The Tearoom is also hosting a gluten free cooking demonstration for Gluten Free Fortnight on Sunday 23rd October.
Intro to Gluten Free Cooking Demo & Tasting Event at Brig O’Turk Tearoom
Whether or not you currently follow a gluten-free diet, our ‘demo and taster’ event will introduce you to a range of versatile gluten free ingredients including polenta, rice, gram and almond flour. And because no food event can be complete without a tasting, there will also be an opportunity to taste a selection of delicious gluten free food made from Forth Valley’s finest produce.
The event is free, but we would encourage you to support participating the Tearoom by purchasing refreshments. Even better still, come along early and enjoy the special gluten free ONLY menu available on the day.
Register to attend the event by clicking on the button below.
3.The Fintry Inn, Fintry
The Fintry Inn is a new pub, brewery & whisky shop with a lot to offer, a hidden gem between the hills of the Campsie Fells.
Their kitchen has recently been altered for safe preparation of gluten free food and you can look forward to tasting a true Masterchef level cuisine because of their chef, Lisa Addison, a Scottish Masterchef star.
The pub’s menu also caters for vegans and vegetarians. You can view The Fintry’s Inn menu on their website. However, their brand new winter menu includes more gluten free meals and baked treats specially designed for Gluten Free Fortnight.
If you like beer, you will also be excited to hear that The Fintry Inn stocks a selection of gluten free craft beer!
They believe that dining with friends and family is one of the most enjoyable things you can do and everyone should be able to relax with the knowledge that their food is going to be safe for them to eat.
At The Fintry Inn, you’re guaranteed a good time whether you visit while you are just out for a drive, on your bike, or taking a day trip walking in the hills. Dogs are also welcome in the bar area.
The Fintry Inn is located in the village of Fintry at 23 Main Street, Fintry, Glasgow, G63 0XA, Stirlingshire.
Opening hours:
Monday – Wednesday CLOSED
Thursday 12:00 – 00:00
Friday 12:00 – 00:00
Saturday 12:00 – 00:00
Sunday 12:00 – 20:00
Leigh Clark (The Fintry Inn) said:
“We are ensuring that all gluten free food is prepped first, in an area of the kitchen dedicated to being gluten free. All of our gluten free ingredients are stored separately, above anything containing gluten to ensure that no cross-contamination occurs. We want to expand our gluten free offering as we believe that coeliac customers should have complete peace of mind when eating out. Dining with friends and family is one of the most enjoyable things you can do and everyone should be able to relax in the knowledge that their food is going to be safe for them to eat.”
Gluten Free Taco & Quiz Night at The Fintry Inn – Thursday 27 October
Each month the pub picks a theme for the food to coincide with the quiz and this month they are doing a taco night.
Their monthly themed food and pub quizzes are very popular and this month, they’ll be serving delicious home-made, completely gluten free tacos made with masa harina flour, which is not only the authentic way to make tacos, but is completely gluten free!
Tacos will be served from 5pm to 8pm and the quiz starts at 8.15pm. A £50 bar voucher is up for grabs by the winning team.
Free car parking available, overnight motor campers welcome and accommodation available as well. Click below to visit the Facebook page for this event.
4. Oak Tree Inn, Balmaha
The Oak Tree Inn located in the beautiful Balmaha on the coast of Loch Lomond is a 41-bedroom inn, pub, restaurant, cafe and village shop. The Inn is renowned for its authentic and friendly welcome and has carried the title of Scotland’s best pub twice since it opened in 1997.
The Oak Tree Inn has a regular wide-range gluten free menu (starters, mains, desserts available) with options for Coeliacs and individuals following a gluten free diet. The menu also includes a choice of delicious pizzas and fish & chips.
The establishment also roasts their own coffee and makes homemade ice-cream.
5. The Broch Cafe, Strathyre
The Broch Cafe located in Strathyre not too far from Loch Lubnaig is a fantastic pit stop for anyone driving through the Trossachs or walking and cycling Rob Roys Way. The cafe is Italian themed and they’ve just been named the best bistro/cafe in Central Scotland in the Food Awards Scotland. The Broch Cafe serves gluten free soups, sandwiches & homemade cakes and they are open for breakfast and lunch.
They have a small indoor seating area and plenty of outdoor seating that is covered.
On nice days you can play pétanque in the field nearby and admire the remains of the nearby broch.
Parking is available right outside and they are open from 10am till 4pm every day except Wednesday. (Their Broch n’roll trailer is open on Wednesdays).
The address of the cafe is A84, Strathyre, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park FK18 8NA Scotland.
Win a Hamper Full of Gluten Free Goodies
If you visit any of the participating venues, don’t forget to complete our survey displayed in participating venues or on our website.
If you complete the questionnaire you will enter a draw for a wonderful prize hamper containing delicious gluten free goodies kindly donated by GreenCity Wholesale in Glasgow.
Click the button below to complete the survey.
Tag Us On Your Social Media and Help Us Share Our Initiative
If you visit any of the participating venues, we would love to see your images – use #GlutenFreeFortnight2022 on your social media for us to be able to see them.
If you like what the campaign is all about and know someone who follows gluten free diet, we would be delighted if you could share it with them.
Finally, don’t forget to follow our social media channels, we’re on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and also TikTok.
The organisers and participants of Gluten Free Fortnight are committed to our aim of establishing the Forth Valley as a ‘destination recognised for its pledge to offer safe gluten free food and drink experiences’.
We began this campaign in Summer 2022, by supporting our café’s and restaurants to complete the Coeliac UK training. Our next step is to support them in attaining accreditation. Our businesses are at different stages in adapting their menus and kitchens, so we would encourage you to ask questions, and give feedback to them directly.
We appreciate your feedback too, so please do email hello@forthvalleyfoodanddrink.org if there are any specific comments you would like us to respond to. By working together we can continue to develop our understanding, to meet everyone’s needs.