20 Years of The Real Food Café - A Reflection

By Sarah Heward, Co-Founder & Co-Owner of The Real Food Café, Tyndrum

This week marks a major milestone — 20 years since we first opened the doors of The Real Food Café in Tyndrum, right off the A82.

It all began with a derelict Little Chef and a big dream. Back in 2005, we launched with a tiny team of six. Fast forward to today, and we now employ 28 people — and could easily take on another half dozen if rural Scotland had the accommodation and infrastructure to support it.

Demand has never been our issue. I remember those early days vividly — wondering if I’d like the customers, and more importantly, if they’d like what we were offering. Thankfully, the answer turned out to be a resounding yes on both fronts.

Over the years, we’ve welcomed thousands of tourists from across the globe — hikers, bikers, campers, skiers — all out enjoying the majestic Scottish outdoors. We’ve been open seven days a week, all year round, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner — and let me tell you, this life is not for the faint-hearted.

It’s been hard. Tremendously hard. There have been moments when the pressure on my husband, Alan McColm, and me has felt overwhelming — because we care deeply. I’ve poured everything into this place — financially, emotionally, physically.

We’ve made mistakes, some painful, but we’ve always tried to learn, adapt, and move forward.

Highlights & Achievements

Looking back, there’s so much to celebrate:

• Our Customers: Loyal locals, one-time visitors, and everyone in between. You’ve kept the faith and lifted us up through the toughest times. We owe you so much — especially our regulars.
• Our Team: From our earliest hires to today’s crew, the people who work here are extraordinary. They show tenacity, integrity, and pride in their work, building their skills in a supportive, respectful environment.
• Our Suppliers and Advisors: You’ve helped shape the quality and consistency we strive for every day.
• Community Impact: I founded the Tyndrum Infrastructure Group, a community charity delivering a Changing Places UK toilet, due to open at The Green Welly Stop in May 2025.
• Environmental Commitment: Our amazing Pick n Chips litter-picking volunteers have collected over 1,500 sacks of rubbish — that’s over 8 tonnes!
• Global Contributions: Through Toilet Twinning, we’ve helped build more than 350 toilets in Malawi.
• Local Support: We proudly back events like the Highland Fling Race, West Highland Way Race, Killin Highland Games, Oban Lorne RFC Minis, and more.
• Awards & Recognition: 4-category winner at the NFFF National Fish & Chip Awards National winner of a VisitScotland Thistle Award Named one of The Caterer’s 30 Best Places to Work in Hospitality in both 2023 and 2024.
• Leadership & Advocacy: Regional Food Tourism Ambassador Vice-Chair of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Destination Group Speaker at the Scottish Agritourism Conference 2024
• Safe Gluten-Free Dining: For 9 years, we’ve been an A-grade Accredited Caterer with Coeliac UK.
• And of course, Alan: Meeting and marrying Alan has been one of my greatest blessings. Without his support, we would never have reached this milestone.

The Lows

Along the Way Success hasn’t come without deep losses and challenges:

• Losing my first husband and co-founder, Steve Wolsey, in 2006 shattered me.
• Brexit and Covid brought enormous disruption. We faced a painful employment tribunal and even embezzlement by a trusted employee.
• And perhaps most frustratingly, the persistent lack of meaningful political engagement around rural development. Despite Tyndrum sitting under four different administrations, leadership has too often failed to show up in the ways that matter.
  It’s disheartening to face circular conversations, platitudes, and inaction — especially when we’re out here delivering real results.
  Still, I want to acknowledge the exceptional individuals within the public sector who do care and consistently go the extra mile. Your work doesn’t go unnoticed.

Looking Ahead

From the beginning, my vision was to create a truly iconic roadside café — one known for delicious, fast food made with local and sustainable ingredients, and for being a place of meaningful employment.

I hoped our success would be a catalyst for positive change — in our community, in our environment, in rural Scotland. And in many ways, that vision has come to life.

Ironically, as we celebrate 20 years, we’ve had to reduce trading hours — not because demand has waned, but because we must protect the wellbeing of our small, dedicated team. It’s a stark reminder of the fragility of rural hospitality. A lack of strategic planning, infrastructure, and long-term investment is hollowing out communities like ours.

If we don’t see meaningful change, the future of rural tourism in Scotland is under serious threat. But for now, I remain proud. Not done — but deeply proud.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for being part of this incredible journey.

Here’s to the next chapter, and to all that lies ahead as we head toward our quarter-century milestone. Onwards, upwards.

Warm wishes, Sarah Heward
Co-Founder & Co-Owner The Real Food Café Tyndrum