BRASSERIE
Locally sourced seasonal food, served in a relaxed atmosphere with stunning views of the Pentland Hills & Edinburgh.
OPENING HOURS
OPENING HOURS:
Monday – Thursday: Open from 0930hrs – 4pm
Friday & Saturday: 0930hrs – 7pm
Sunday: 0930hrs – 5pm
Kitchen closes daily to food orders 1 hour before advertised closing time
Reservations
Table reservations can only be made at least 48hrs in advance. We are unable to take same day or next day reservations.
To book a table, please email us (brasserie@swanston.co.uk) or telephone us (0131 445 2239 then choose Option 2). If we are unable to answer the phone, please leave a clear message with
a) Your full name
b) The date and time you’d like to book
c) Your telephone number or email address so that we can return your call.
We are unable to call back international phone numbers.
Meal times for reservations:
-
- Breakfast reservations 9.30am – 11.30am
- Lunch reservations 12pm – 2.45pm (3.45pm on Sundays)
- Dinner reservations 3pm – 6pm (Friday & Saturday only)
- Coffee any time.
We provide 2 hours for any food reservations and 90 minutes for coffee.
Please note:
- Tables at the Brasserie may not be available with less than 48hrs notice.
- Please do not arrive without a confirmed booking.
- We are unable to hold tables for longer than 20 minutes.
- We are not always able to answer calls during our busiest hours of 10am – 3pm, however please leave a clear message including your name, contact details, date and time for your reservation and group size and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible. We are unable to return calls to international phone numbers.
- Sometimes we need to close the Brasserie to the public for private events such as weddings, funeral wakes, corporate events or private dining. Those dates will be updated below, as well as on our Instagram & Facebook pages.
- Adverse weather may affect our closing times.
Balcony Dining/Tables
We are unable to take bookings for outside tables and these are offered on a first come basis. Our large balcony is closed during winter opening hours.
House Rules
- Dogs are not permitted inside the Brasserie unless it is an Assistance Dog.
- We offer one bill per table and kindly ask split payments are calculated by the customer.
OCCASIONAL EARLY CLOSING:
TABLE RESERVATIONS
Reservations
Table reservations can only be made at least 48hrs in advance. We are unable to take same day or next day reservations.
To book a table, please email us (brasserie@swanston.co.uk) or telephone us (0131 445 2239 then choose Option 2). If we are unable to answer the phone, please leave a clear message with
a) Your full name
b) The date and time you’d like to book, and for how many people
c) Your telephone number or email address so that we can return your call
We cannot return international phone numbers, so an email address is required).
Please note:
- Your booking is only confirmed once you have been contacted by a member of our team.
- We cannot accept any Highland Cow visitors to the restaurant that do not hold a reservation between 12pm and 3pm Friday to Sunday.
- Sometimes we need to close the Brasserie to the public for private events such as weddings, funeral wakes, corporate events or private dining. Those dates will be updated with our Opening Hours, as well as on our Instagram & Facebook pages.
- Adverse weather may affect our closing times.
PLAN YOUR VISIT
- Swanston Farm is not a petting farm – we are a 700 acre family-run working farm with a Brasserie, self-catering holiday cottages and an historic golf course. We do not have any animals that you can feed or pet.
- We kindly ask visitors to be aware of their surroundings and respect the golfers, residents and farm workers.
- Our 3 Highland Cows are the only animals you can see when you visit. All of the information regarding our Highland Cows can be found here.
- If you wish to have something to eat or drink when visiting the cows, you will need to book a table at our Brasserie. Head to Table Reservations here.
FAQs:
- We do not serve Highland Cow meat in our Brasserie. Our Cows are used for conservation grazing, not meat.
- We do not sell any meat, milk or eggs from the farm.
- We do not serve Halal food.
- We do not have a dedicated prayer room on site.
ACCESSIBILITY
WELCOME
Swanston Farm’s Brasserie is an all-inclusive dining establishment and all are welcome! Our Brasserie has disabled access for wheelchair users, walking frame users, buggies, prams and any visitors who would rather not climb steps.
PARKING
Parking for customers of our Brasserie is free. There are 4 disabled parking bays directly to the front of the building reserved for disabled badge holders, as well as ample space for dropping-off/picking up those who struggle with mobility yet do not possess a Blue Badge.
Our main car park is located just below the Brasserie and is a very short walk to our building with a small, steady incline.
If the disabled bays are full, there is a drop-off bay directly in front of the steps to the front doors. The steps are wide stone slabs and have a central 2-level metal hand-rail to allow visitors to walk up or down either side of the rail.
ENTERING THE BUILDING
The ramp, made from wet-pour rubber safety-surface, starts from the golf course side of the building, outside the window of the Swanston Golf Pro Shop and takes users round to the double front doors of the building and in to the downstairs foyer. The ramp has a 2-level metal hand-rail on one side.
The front doors have a large metal handle on the inside and outside and a push-bar from the inside of both of them, providing access in and out of the foyer. There is a small metal arched lip on the floor of the doorway. The foyer is very wide with a slate tile floor and has some seating available on the left as you enter the foyer.
ACCESSIBLE TOILETS
From the foyer you can access the toilets. There is a mens toilet with cubicle and urinals, a ladies toilet with cubicles and a disabled toilet all located through the door at the base of the staircase towards the back of the foyer (proceed straight ahead through the main doors and the door to the toilets is just to the left of the lift, at the bottom of the stairs). The mens toilets are the first door on the left, the ladies toilets straight ahead and the disabled toilet is to the right just before the ladies toilets. The disabled toilet also includes baby changing facilities. The disabled toilet includes a chair-height sink next to the toilet and a hand-dryer on the opposite wall from the sink, next to the toilet, there is a grab-rail next to the toilet and on the back of the door as well as a mirror on the opposite wall to the toilet above the hand-dryer as well as a fold-down changing table for infants. The door lock is a slide-lock. There is an alarm pull-cord next to the toilet on the left as you sit on the toilet. The light in this toilet is eco-motion-sensitive and the light will go on when passing towards the door of the toilet.
LIFT TO THE BRASSERIE ON THE FIRST FLOOR
You will also find the lift in the foyer, which will take you to the Brasserie on the first floor. The lift is located directly ahead as you enter the foyer and has a light silver metal door and surround. The square button to call the lift is at standing waist height on the right side of the frame and is slightly raised. The lift is a standard ‘Schindler’ lift with a single sliding door that opens with a width of 900mm. There is room inside for a wheelchair plus an additional pedestrian, and perhaps one or two small children. The buttons to the floors and lift alarm button are at chair height and the buttons are marked with braille. The Brasserie is on the first floor which has Number 1 on the button. Once you arrive on the first floor and the doors open, you enter a small area with a door to your right and a door to your left. Go through the wooden door to your left (this is a wooden door with a metal handle on the left to pull open) (please note: sometimes this door to the left is propped open) and once through this doorway you will be located at the end of the bar (on your left) inside the Brasserie itself, where a member of staff will greet you.
STAIRS TO THE BRASSERIE ON THE FIRST FLOOR
There are also stairs that will take you to the Brasserie on the first floor. These are located in the back left corner of the foyer as you enter, to the left of the door to the toilets. There are 2 sets of stairs to climb. There are rounded metal railings on either side of the staircase up the first set of stairs, where the railing on the right will stop and you will meet a wall on your right that curves round in a semi-circle to the left, with a recess with a tall thin window (non-opening) half way round (there is often a floral display in the window) and the next railings on your left just above the end of the first set. The staircase continues from your left and again has railings on both sides of the staircase. Upon reaching the top of the second set of stairs, there is a wooden door straight ahead with a metal pull-handle on the left of the door, to pull open the door. This will take you into a small area where the lift finishes (lift now on your left) and then through another wooden door ahead of you with the same handle that also pulls towards you to open. Sometimes this second door is propped open. Once through this second doorway you will be located at the end of the bar (on your left) inside the Brasserie itself, where a member of staff will greet you.
INSIDE THE BRASSERIE
The Brasserie also has 2 balconies which allow for coffee and cakes or dining in warm and drier weather! Both have wide doorways to allow for wheelchair access and assistance will happily be provided upon request if needed.
ASSISTANCE DOGS
Assistance Dogs are welcome in the Brasserie and water bowls can be provided upon request. A toilet area for assistance dogs is available outside and our staff can direct you or assist you to this area.
BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED VISITORS
Some of our staff have been trained as Sighted Guides in association with Sight Scotland to assist blind or visually impaired visitors. Please either contact us in advance to notify us of any assistance you may require, or ask a member of staff upon arrival who will be happy to help.
LARGE PRINT MENU
We can provide our current menu in large print. Simply ask a member of staff for a copy.
BRAILLE MENU
We can provide our current menu in Braille. Simply ask a member of staff for a copy.
AUDIO MENU
We can provide our current menu in an audio version. Simply click here to listen or ask a member of staff to locate it on your handheld device for you.
WE CAN PROVIDE ASSISTANCE IF REQUIRED
If you have any concerns or requests prior to or in preparation for your visit to our Brasserie, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will do our very best to help. We can provide a meet, greet and assist service if notified in advance.
You can contact us as follows: Email: brasserie@swanston.co.uk or Phone: 01314452239 and choose Option 2
Click here to see disabled access photos
Have you heard about Euan’s Guide? It’s a great charity, founded in 2013 by Euan MacDonald, who has Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and is a powerchair user, and his sister Kiki. As Euan’s access requirements changed, both went in search of recommendations for accessible places to go, but a platform for this kind of information didn’t exist. Built as a friendly and honest alternative to hours of web searching and phone calls before visiting somewhere new, Euan’s Guide now has thousands of disabled access reviews and listings for places all over the UK and beyond.
Take a look at the website where you can find a great guide to disabled access, making it easier for disabled people to find great places to go. Click on the Euan’s Guide logo below to visit the website.
AUDIO MENU
WELCOME
Swanston Brasserie is an all-inclusive dining establishment and all are welcome! Swanston Brasserie has disabled access for wheelchair users, walking frame users, buggies, prams and any visitors who would rather not climb steps.
PARKING
Parking at Swanston Brasserie is free. There are 4 disabled parking bays directly to the front of the building reserved for disabled badge holders, as well as ample space for dropping-off/picking up those who struggle with mobility yet do not possess a Blue Badge.
Our main car park is located just below the Brasserie and is a very short walk to our building with a small, steady incline.
If the disabled bays are full, there is a drop-off bay directly in front of the steps to the front doors. The steps are wide stone slabs and have a central 2-level metal hand-rail to allow visitors to walk up or down either side of the rail.
ENTERING THE BUILDING
The ramp, made from wet-pour rubber safety-surface, starts from the golf course side of the building, outside the window of the Swanston Golf Pro Shop and takes users round to the double front doors of the building and in to the downstairs foyer. The ramp has a 2-level metal hand-rail on one side.
The front doors have a large metal handle on the inside and outside and a push-bar from the inside of both of them, providing access in and out of the foyer. There is a small metal arched lip on the floor of the doorway. The foyer is very wide with a slate tile floor and has some seating available on the left as you enter the foyer.
ACCESSIBLE TOILETS
From the foyer you can access the toilets. There is a mens toilet with cubicle and urinals, a ladies toilet with cubicles and a disabled toilet all located through the door at the base of the staircase towards the back of the foyer (proceed straight ahead through the main doors and the door to the toilets is just to the left of the lift, at the bottom of the stairs). The mens toilets are the first door on the left, the ladies toilets straight ahead and the disabled toilet is to the right just before the ladies toilets. The disabled toilet also includes baby changing facilities. The disabled toilet includes a chair-height sink next to the toilet and a hand-dryer on the opposite wall from the sink, next to the toilet, there is a grab-rail next to the toilet and on the back of the door as well as a mirror on the opposite wall to the toilet above the hand-dryer as well as a fold-down changing table for infants. The door lock is a slide-lock. There is an alarm pull-cord next to the toilet on the left as you sit on the toilet. The light in this toilet is eco-motion-sensitive and the light will go on when passing towards the door of the toilet.
LIFT TO THE BRASSERIE ON THE FIRST FLOOR
You will also find the lift in the foyer, which will take you to the Brasserie on the first floor. The lift is located directly ahead as you enter the foyer and has a light silver metal door and surround. The square button to call the lift is at standing waist height on the right side of the frame and is slightly raised. The lift is a standard ‘Schindler’ lift with a single sliding door that opens with a width of 900mm. There is room inside for a wheelchair plus an additional pedestrian, and perhaps one or two small children. The buttons to the floors and lift alarm button are at chair height and the buttons are marked with braille. The Brasserie is on the first floor which has Number 1 on the button. Once you arrive on the first floor and the doors open, you enter a small area with a door to your right and a door to your left. Go through the wooden door to your left (this is a wooden door with a metal handle on the left to pull open) (please note: sometimes this door to the left is propped open) and once through this doorway you will be located at the end of the bar (on your left) inside the Brasserie itself, where a member of staff will greet you.
STAIRS TO THE BRASSERIE ON THE FIRST FLOOR
There are also stairs that will take you to the Brasserie on the first floor. These are located in the back left corner of the foyer as you enter, to the left of the door to the toilets. There are 2 sets of stairs to climb. There are rounded metal railings on either side of the staircase up the first set of stairs, where the railing on the right will stop and you will meet a wall on your right that curves round in a semi-circle to the left, with a recess with a tall thin window (non-opening) half way round (there is often a floral display in the window) and the next railings on your left just above the end of the first set. The staircase continues from your left and again has railings on both sides of the staircase. Upon reaching the top of the second set of stairs, there is a wooden door straight ahead with a metal pull-handle on the left of the door, to pull open the door. This will take you into a small area where the lift finishes (lift now on your left) and then through another wooden door ahead of you with the same handle that also pulls towards you to open. Sometimes this second door is propped open. Once through this second doorway you will be located at the end of the bar (on your left) inside the Brasserie itself, where a member of staff will greet you.
INSIDE THE BRASSERIE
The Brasserie also has 2 balconies which allow for coffee and cakes or dining in warm and drier weather! Both have wide doorways to allow for wheelchair access and assistance will happily be provided upon request if needed.
ASSISTANCE DOGS
Assistance Dogs are welcome in the Brasserie and water bowls can be provided upon request. A toilet area for assistance dogs is available outside and our staff can direct you or assist you to this area.
BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED VISITORS
Our staff have been trained in association with Sight Scotland to assist blind or visually impaired visitors. This includes offering Sighted Guides where required. Please either contact us in advance to notify us of any assistance you may require, or ask a member of staff upon arrival who will be happy to help.
LARGE PRINT MENU
Swanston Brasserie is able to provide our current menu in large print. Simply ask a member of staff for a copy.
BRAILLE MENU
Swanston Brasserie is able to provide our current menu in Braille. Simply ask a member of staff for a copy.
AUDIO MENU
Swanston Brasserie is able to provide our current menu in an audio version. Simply click here to listen or ask a member of staff to locate it on your handheld device for you.
WE CAN PROVIDE ASSISTANCE IF REQUIRED
If you have any concerns or requests prior to or in preparation for your visit to Swanston Brasserie, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will do our very best to help. We can provide a meet, greet and assist service if notified in advance.
You can contact us as follows: Email: brasserie@swanston.co.uk or Phone: 01314452239 and choose Option 2
Click here to see disabled access photos
Have you heard about Euan’s Guide? It’s a great charity, founded in 2013 by Euan MacDonald, who has Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and is a powerchair user, and his sister Kiki. As Euan’s access requirements changed, both went in search of recommendations for accessible places to go, but a platform for this kind of information didn’t exist. Built as a friendly and honest alternative to hours of web searching and phone calls before visiting somewhere new, Euan’s Guide now has thousands of disabled access reviews and listings for places all over the UK and beyond.
Take a look at the website where you can find a great guide to disabled access, making it easier for disabled people to find great places to go. Click on the Euan’s Guide logo below to visit the website.
OUR TEAM
Emma Hilder (left) and Louise Abbott (right)
Emma Hilder – Brasserie General Manager
Emma has worked in the hospitality sector for 23 years and previously owned and ran one of Marchmont’s busiest brunch establishments. Outside of work, Emma is a keen baker and also works as a freelance musician with the function band Callanish, playing some of Scotland’s grandest castles and venues. Emma loves animals and being outside and is a keen triathlete, training with the Newhaven Harbour triathletes and has competed at half-iron distance.
Louise Abbott – Brasserie Assistance Manager
Louise has worked for Swanston Farm in the Brasserie for over 7 years. A mum of one and keen on fitness, Louise’s ability to remain calm in a storm (in a teacup) is her Super Power. Louise is a fountain of knowledge about the ins and outs of the Brasserie and her professional efficiency is perfectly paired with her welcoming warmth. In her spare time, Louise enjoys being creative in art and cooking and is renowned for her festive displays and Christmas cake at Swanston!
Glyn Sommerville
Glyn Sommerville – Head Chef
Our head chef Glyn is the Brasserie’s best kept secret! Glyn has an excellent career pedigree, previously working with teams at Valvona & Crolla’s Vin Cafe on Multree’s Walk, Fishers on the Shore, the famous Witchery and the stunning Prestonfield House. With over 30 years of experience, Glyn creates seasonal menus to suit the Brasserie’s visitors and now enjoys working in the family environment, as a father himself. Glyn’s forte is preparing fish and his use of locally sourced freshly prepared produce is the driving force behind the Brasserie’s excellent dishes.
Our Story
We often get asked about the history of our Brasserie and our story is an interesting one!
Many people confuse us with Swanston Golf Club and that’s because Swanston Farm was better known during the 1900’s and early 2000’s as the location of a private golf club.
Here’s a whistle-stop run-down of how Swanston Farm’s Brasserie evolved from a wooden golf club pavilion that fed its membership on catering provided by the Greenkeeper’s wife, to the thriving farm-owned public eatery that stands today:
1928 – Swanston Golf Club opened as a Ladies Only 9-hole golf club, renting an area of surplus land from Swanston Farm.
1929 – The golf course was extended to 18 holes and opened up to include men.
1970’s – The landowner died and the tenant farming family who had farmed the land for 2 generations since the 1930’s were able to buy the land. This included both Swanston Golf Club and Lothianburn Golf Club. The descendants of this family are still the owners and custodians of Swanston Farm today.
2007 – Swanston Farm wanted to move away from the exclusive-use golf club set-up and open up catering at Swanston to the general public. The old Swanston Golf Clubhouse was demolished and a purpose-built home for a Brasserie was erected.
Swanston Golf Club still rents the golf course land from Swanston Farm and is now based on the ground floor of the Brasserie building, where you can find the Golf Shop and Golfer’s bar and is a separate business to Swanston Farm’s Brasserie and Swanston Farm. Swanston Golf Club is run as a separate company to Swanston Farm and is managed by Club Manager & Secretary, Mike Robson. All things golf can be found on their website here (but we do allow golfers in the Brasserie too!).
Swanston Farm’s Brasserie (on the 1st floor the building) is owned and managed by Swanston Farm and is open to the public.
WEDDINGS AND EVENTS
If your dream is to have your wedding in countryside surroundings, then Swanston might just be the venue for you. Perhaps we can help start your Happily Ever After…
If you wish to have a Civil marriage at our Brasserie, take a look at the legal requirements for marriage here.
When planning your marriage in Scotland, your starting point should be the National Records of Scotland website where you can read and download information and forms that you need to get the ball rolling.
Here you can also find information on the following:
Getting married in Scotland – how do I go about it?
Marriage in Scotland – information leaflet RM1
Changing your civil partnership into a marriage – how do I go about it?
Marriage in Scotland – what would you pay?
Directory of Registrars in Scotland
Contact Points for further information:
Please write to, phone or visit New Register House.
You can contact their marriage preliminaries section:
National Records of Scotland
Marriage Section
Room 38
New Register House
3 West Register Street
Edinburgh
EH1 3YT
Email: marriage@nrscotland.gov.uk
Telephone for National Records of Scotland: 0131 202 0451
Swanston Farm’s Brasserie is available for exclusive-use or simply hire of an area within the public space for weddings, funerals, christenings and other life events as well as corporate events, conferences, public speaking events and dinners.
Our Team is well-rehearsed in all such events and are efficient, professional and friendly and work hard to ensure all of our visitors enjoy their time with us.
Our Head Chef has an excellent career pedigree, having spent many years working at some of Edinburgh’s most prestigious restaurants, including The Witchery and Prestonfield House. His quality menus and sensible approach to budgets allows excellent catering options. We are also able to cater for many dietary requirements, including vegetarian, vegan, non-gluten-containing dishes and coeliac and are more than happy to discuss any further preferences.
To discuss your event with one of our team, telephone us on 0131 445 2239 or email us at brasserie@swanston.co.uk.
Contact us about your wedding or event here.
FIND US
Address: Swanston Brasserie, 111 Swanston Road, Edinburgh, EH10 7DS.
Click here to find us on What3Words: using.coffee.weeks
Click here to find us on Google Maps.
Travelling by Bus:
Lothian Buses run along Oxgangs Road which is approximately 900 metres away via tarmac road (Swanston Road). This is uphill when approaching from the direction of Oxgangs Road. There is a footpath from Oxgangs Road until the far side of the bridge that goes over the Edinburgh City Bypass, after which the footpath stops. However, there is a stone track that comes off the tarmac road at this point and runs up parallel to the tarmac road all the way up to our Brasserie at the top of Swanston Road.
Bus numbers that stop on Oxgangs Road near to the bottom of Swanston Road include 4, 5, 16, 27, 400 Skylink Airport Bus.
Travelling by car:
When travelling East along the City of Edinburgh Bypass, take the Dreghorn junction, turning left at the top of the slip road, over the next roundabout on to Dreghorn Link, right at the next roundabout on to the B701 (Redford Road) to the T-Junction, turning right on to Oxganges Road, first exit at the mini roundabout, continuing East on Oxgangs Road, then taking the first right on to Swanston Road. Drive south along Swanston Road (you will see the Pentland Hills straight ahead of you), go over the bridge over the Bypass and stay on the tarmac road towards the big white building at the top of the road ahead of you (that’s our Brasserie). The carpark is on the right just before the Brasserie.
When travelling West along the City of Edinburgh Bypass, take the Fairmilehead junction, turning right at the roundabout at the top of the slip road on to Biggar Road (A702) (travelling North). Continue over the second roundabout and staying on the Biggar Road, head up the hill towards the crossroads and set of traffic lights. Take a left here on to Oxgangs Road (travelling East) and take the 2nd road on the left (just after the pedestrian crossing) on to Swanston Road. Drive south along Swanston Road (you will see the Pentland Hills straight ahead of you), go over the bridge over the Bypass and stay on the tarmac road towards the big white building at the top of the road ahead of you (that’s our Brasserie). The carpark is on the right just before the Brasserie.
Travelling by Plane:
Nearest airport: Edinburgh Airport (this is just 8.61 miles away/14 minutes drive away)
Taxi Companies:
City Cabs. Tel: (0044) (0)131 228 1211
Festival Cabs. Tel: (0044) (0)131 551 6777
GIFTS & VOUCHERS
GIFT VOUCHERS
Our Brasserie has a selection of Gift Vouchers available for purchase, including £10, £20, £30 and £50 Vouchers. These can be purchased by either popping into the Brasserie in person, emailing us at brasserie@swanston.co.uk or telephoning us on 0131 445 2239 to purchase over the phone and we can email them to you.
Do contact us for more any further information.
OUR CHARITIES
We select our charities every year. Click on each charity to find out more about each one.
“I just wanted to drop you a line to thank you and your team for the wonderful afternoon tea you organised for my mother’s 90th birthday. You completely surpassed what we expected! We thought there would be some scones and cake but you provided the most delicious array of sandwiches, wraps, cakes, etc – my mother and her friends were delighted. It was one of the best afternoon teas we have ever had. We would also like to thank the very charming waiter who was allocated to look after us – he was so helpful and lovely. Thanks again – it is much appreciated and made an elderly lady very happy.”