THE SHIRE // The Last Bus Cafe

Last Bus Cafe New Pitsligo
Last Bus Cafe New Pitsligo


i mentioned in my last post that we'd been to visit the Last Bus Cafe this weekend.. and, well, i've already been back since then because it's just SO good!

Hidden in the countryside just on the outskirts of New Pitsligo, the Last Bus Cafe (or the Lost Cafe, as it's otherwise known) is a truly unique venture in Aberdeenshire. The building itself is made entirely of 'recycled' materials - unused electricity poles from the Hydro-Electric power company and abandoned packaging from the building of the local power station - and is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - if no one's there, you simply ring a bell and the on-site staff (owners?) will come up and serve you. The menu is entirely vegetarian - possibly even vegan - and extremely cheap considering how tastey it is; so far we've sampled teas, lattes, a fruit salad full of fruits i didn't even recognise, ice cream, apple and rhubarb crumble, and carrob muffins with yogurt. i've yet to visit at an appropriate time for dinner, but their curry or their lentil burgers sound particularly worthy of a return trip!

The interior decor is kooky and quirky and jammed full of vintage delights: old bus seats; a working gramophone; a spinning wheel full of records; Chinese lanterns; old records and posters adorning the walls; stained-glass artwork; a mishmash of teapots and crockery; and musical instruments of various shapes and sizes, used by the live performers they're committed to supporting.



The views from the cafe are stunning, looking out over the Aberdeenshire countryside. Elsewhere on site are the shells of numerous old cars and, from what i understand, a warehouse housing an old bus being renovated and restored (hence the name) and a carriage which can be rented by the public as accommodation.

Goodness only knows what other treasures and delights they might have hidden away!

The staff in the cafe could not have been more attentive and welcoming.. and the whole site is simply overflowing with uniqueness and charm.


I cannot recommend a visit highly enough - you have to go and see this place for yourself!

(**The owner suggested to us that the cafe might be changing hands come August and may no longer offer a 24/7 service. It'll be equally charming under any ownership, i'm sure, but go and visit as soon as you can!)

xo

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5 Comments

  1. Ah! Amazing! I so want to go there, next time I'm up that way!

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    1. Definitely do - it might actually be the coolest cafe i've ever visited!

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  2. Thanks for this, hubby and I are definitely going to visit soon. If we can find it! :)

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    1. It's actually really simple to find - just head through New Pitsligo and follow the sign for the Craigmaud road, then it's a right turn not too far along there. Enjoy!

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  3. The owner is from Cleckheaton, Yorkshire (the county of my birth), and intends to take the bus round the world, come August. Hope he sells to someone as fabulous as he is.

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