The Lovat at Fort Augustus in the Scottish Highlands is gearing up for the return of The Explorers’ Table this November, an intimate dining experience pairing epic feasting at its much-loved Station Road restaurant with extraordinary first-hand stories from the world of polar exploration.
Taking place on Saturday, 28 November 2026, The Explorers’ Table will bring together renowned polar explorer and Ice Warrior founder Jim McNeill and hotel co-owner and Station Road head chef Sean Kelly for an evening exploring the incredible relationship between food, survival and adventure in some of the most extreme environments on Earth.
Renowned locally for its elevated, seasonal cooking and Highland flavours, Station Road will welcome an intimate group of guests for the experience. Sean will create a specially curated menu inspired by Arctic and cold-climate ingredients, including ingredients found in the northern landscapes closer to home, while Jim shares stories gathered over more than four decades operating at the edge of human endurance.
Over dinner, guests will discover how food and drink have sustained explorers through months of darkness and sub-zero temperatures, from historic ship’s provisions such as pemmican (a historic mix of dried meat and berries, designed to release energy slowly) to modern expedition fuel – and why a hot meal, and an even hotter cup of tea, can mean the difference between morale and misery at -40°C.
This November’s event will also delve into the story of Scottish polar explorer William Speirs Bruce and the Scottish National Antarctic Expedition of 1902–1904. Jim previously followed in Bruce’s footsteps for the BBC Scotland series The Last Explorers, bringing a personal perspective to the story of one of Scotland’s often-overlooked pioneers.
Jim McNeill said: “Food has always played a vital role on expedition, not simply as fuel, but in maintaining morale and bringing people together in the most challenging circumstances. The Explorers’ Table gives us the chance to bring those stories to life while celebrating Scotland’s remarkable legacy of discovery and considering what these extraordinary environments can teach us today.”
Rather than recreating traditional expedition rations, Sean’s menu will take inspiration from ingredients associated with cold and wild landscapes, using food as a starting point for conversations about how explorers sustained themselves in the past, how we eat today and the fragile environments from which our food comes.
Sean Kelly, Head Chef at Station Road, said: “For me, the most exciting part of The Explorers’ Table is being able to tell part of that story through the food. Each course has been created to complement Jim’s stories and hopefully spark conversation around the table.”
To extend your visit and make the most of all the Highlands has to offer, overnight stays at The Lovat are also available. To book, or to find out more, visit The Lovat website or call 01456 459250.
