By Ian McConnell

Mark Donald has been appointed as head chef at The Glenturret Lalique Restaurant, which is due to open at Scotland’s oldest working distillery at Crieff in Perthshire this summer.

Mr Donald was formerly at Number One at The Balmoral in Edinburgh, with The Glenturret noting he had in this previous role “retained the Michelin star until he departed in 2021”.

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The Glenturret claims its new offering “will be the first of its kind, as no other whisky brands are currently home to a restaurant dedicated to fine dining”. The Scotch whisky distillery noted the restaurant would join parent group Lalique’s other hospitality establishments including Villa René Lalique, a two-star Michelin restaurant and hotel in Alsace. Luxury goods group Lalique’s portfolio also includes Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, a one-star Michelin restaurant and hotel near Bordeaux.

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Mr Donald said: “I’m very excited to be part of this unique and exciting culinary experience. The distillery has a longstanding history and great heritage – as does Lalique – so it was an exciting task to combine this with fresh, innovative ideas.

“Working closely with the local producers and suppliers has been wonderful so far. Together with my team, I feel we have managed to create a contemporary, thought-provoking menu.”

The Glenturret said: “The menu will showcase contemporary Scottish culinary innovation, which builds on a foundation of classic French gastronomy.”