The Silly Goose: A Highland success story with French heart and a Scottish soul

A Calm, Elegant Space

Inside, the classical green and black colour scheme creates a calm, sophisticated atmosphere. It feels intimate, classy and refined — but never intimidating.

It’s the kind of place where you can celebrate a special occasion, enjoy a romantic evening, or treat yourself after a day exploring Ben Nevis — and feel equally at home.

Ambition in Every Detail

There’s a quiet confidence about The Silly Goose at The Lime Tree. Their ambition is clear:Three AA Rosettes.
And that goal shapes the standard they hold themselves to every single day - from sourcing to plating to service. Care. Effort. Love. Experience. It’s all visible on the plate.

A Sweet Addition this Spring

This spring, alongside the launch of a new seasonal menu, The Silly Goose at The Lime Tree is introducing waffles, cakes and sweet treats in the late morning and afternoon.

It’s a lovely extension of their offering - perfect for relaxed meetups, indulgent pit-stops or simply experiencing a little slice of Frenchinspired baking in the Highlands. Bookings are managed through DishCult and ResDiary, and with growing demand, reserving ahead is highly recommended.

A Destination in Lochaber

Fort William has always drawn visitors for its landscapes. Increasingly, it’s drawing them for its food.

The Silly Goose at The Lime Tree stands as proof that world-class cooking doesn’t need a city postcode. It needs passion. Partnership. Precision.

Kylie and David are building something special here - a restaurant that reflects their story, their standards and their slightly quirky creativity.

And in a town surrounded by mountains, they’re quietly reaching for their own summit.

French Restaurant. Scottish Twist.

The Silly Goose at The Lime Tree is proudly a French restaurant with a Scottish twist. 

French at its core - in technique, structure and flavour layering.

Scottish in its ingredients, heart and soul.

The menu is carefully curated rather than extensive, refecting the chef’s experience and hours of research.
Each dish has purpose. Nothing is there by accident.

You’ll find:

• Meat from Lochaber Larder - trusted for quality and locality
• Fresh fish from Campbell’s - chosen for reliability and provenance
• Gin from Fassfern Distillery - excellent for drinking and cooking with!
• Wines from renowned Corney & Barrow

Everything is prepared in-house. And that truly means everything.

• Bread is baked from scratch.
• Pasta is handmade.
• Pastry is crafted on site.
• Sauces are developed patiently and properly.
• Meat and fish are smoked and cured in-house.

It’s proper food. Not fussy. Not pretentious. Just high-quality ingredients cooked exceptionally well.

Just one of the hundreds of 5* reviews on Tripadvisor:

Dinner in the Highlands

A real culinary highlight in Fort William! We deliberately don’t post pictures of the food here – you just have to experience it yourself. If you really want to eat well, don’t miss this place. We are quite spoiled when it comes to good food, and the surprise was all the more beautiful: An excellent menu, excellently prepared and served with great attention to detail. The young team on site delighted us with attentive and very friendly. Service – uncomplicated, warm and at the same time highly professional. It’s also noteworthy that the venue has already participated in Scottish competitions for the best cuisine. In my opinion, a star would be absolutely deserved – if not now, then surely in the near future. Get close! A huge compliment to the entire team for this unforgettable evening.

- Sept 2025

Spring Menu
launches Monday 2nd March
Bookings now being taken

Starters

French onion soup, parmesan bread and butter pudding
Venison (LF) Slow cooked venison, ragù, tagliatelle
Sea Trout (GF) Beetroot cured sea trout, salsa verde, cream cheese, radish

Vegan Haggis (LF VGN) Mushroom and lentil haggis, root vegetables, tattie scone, turnip velouté

Mains

Beef (GF) Slow cooked beef cheek, boulangère potatoes, carrots, greens and rich gravy
Chicken (GF) Pan fried chicken breast, confit leg, potato’s, leeks, stuffing, chicken and white wine jus
Duck (GF LF) Duo of duck breast and leg, puy lentils, greens, red wine jus
Rainbow trout (GF) Pan fried trout, rosti, beurre noisette, kale, asparagus, almonds and pea puree
Thai (LF GF) Red Thai curry, cod cooked en papillote, mussels, pak choi
Spelt (LF VGN) Butternut spelt risotto, greens, sage, nutmeg, winter black truffle

Dessert

Yuzu (GF) Frozen yuzu soufflé, toasted marshmallow, confit lemon
Chocolate Blonde chocolate dome, mousse, salted caramel, shortbread

Gin (GF LF VGN) Fassfern gin rice pudding brûlée, lemon balm, nuts

Cheese Cheese of the moment, oatcake crumb, honey, apple, walnuts, quince

The Silly Goose at The Lime Tree

Achintore Road, Fort William, PH33 6RQ

01397 701806

The restaurant opens for evening dining on the 2nd March and for lunches from early April

Bookings now being taken.

thesillygooserestaurant.com/