A warm fire and a warm welcome await you at the Kirkmichael Arms
"If at first you don't succeed, try, try and try again"
A warm fire and a warm welcome await you at the Kirkmichael Arms
Best Scottish Pub, The Scotsman Scran Awards 2025
Honest and robust, romantic and gastronomic — a true taste of Scotland's wilderness
We smoke our own salmon, churn butter, cure bacon, and bake bread in a painstaking, pre-industrial manner because we believe you can taste that care on the plate.
Following traditional ways while exploring new directions, we draw on classical French techniques with Asian influences, creating food that's an adventure we'd like you to join us on.
Book A TableFrom Melbourne to the Scottish Lowlands
A tale of passion, community, and bringing heart back to a village
When the Kirkmichael Arms shut its doors, the village started to close down too. Two determined locals searched for someone to revive their beloved pub, leading them to Justin Galea—an Aussie chef who fell in love with Scotland.
Despite being in a Thai jungle when contacted, Justin knew immediately this was his calling. He said yes to taking on the pub, sight unseen, bringing with him a vision for a place celebrating Scotland's artisans, creativity, and natural wilderness.
Our Story
Aqua vitae
Whisky Tasting“With ale, we fear no evil;
With whisky, we’ll face the devil!”
'The only way to achieve the impossible is to believe it is possible'
— Robert the Bruce
'In the end, it is not the years in your life that count, but the life in your years.'
— Robert the BruceWilderness journal
Stories from Scotland's last great wilderness, where stags stand proud on hillsides and salmon shimmer in the burns.
Tales of the land that inspires us, the artisans who shape it, and the adventures that await in this playground of legends.
Tucked away in the rolling hills of Ayrshire, The Kirkmichael Arms is a Michelin‑listed restaurant and bar, offering a true taste of Scotland’s wilderness.
Kirkmichael Arms