‘Charming’ Scottish coaching inn named best in the country at national awards

The Boar’s Head, a boutique restaurant with four luxury rooms in the heart of rural Fife, has been named AA Restaurant with Rooms of the Year Scotland 2026. The award follows the venue’s recent AA inspection, where it was awarded a 4-star rating and recognised in the Restaurant with Rooms category.

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The award represents a remarkable achievement for the team at The Boar’s Head, whose boutique rooms opened in 2025. As the Scottish winner in the Restaurant with Rooms category, The Boar’s Head will now go forward to compete for the overall UK title, which will be announced at the AA Hospitality Awards on 21 September 2026 at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House, London.

The Boar's Head in Fife | contributed

The annual AA Bed and Breakfast Awards celebrate the very best of Britain’s hospitality sector, recognising excellence across a range of categories including Restaurant with Rooms, Inn of the Year and Bed and Breakfast of the Year in Scotland, England and Wales.

Located in the Fife village of Auchtermuchty, The Boar's Head is a beautifully restored 300-year-old former coaching inn. Since reopening under independent ownership by David and Justina Jonikaite in 2021 following an extensive renovation, it has successfully blended historic character with contemporary hospitality, creating a warm and welcoming destination for locals and visitors alike.

The couple chose to revive the historic Boar's Head name after discovering the property was known as The Boar’s Head during the 1970s, when it was regarded as a famous local pub that attracted visitors from across the region. The name also has deep connections to the village itself, with "Auchtermuchty" deriving from the Gaelic Achad na Muic, meaning "upland slope of the wild pig", while the boar also features on the village flag.

In March 2025, The Boar's Head expanded its offering with the launch of four boutique rooms following a £200,000 investment. Designed in a contemporary country style with boutique luxury touches, the individually styled rooms feature bespoke upholstered headboards, heritage botanical fabrics, luxury bedding, antique brass fittings, rainfall showers, curated refreshments and warm, nature-inspired interiors. The addition of the accommodation has helped address a shortage of quality rooms in the local area and has been met with exceptional demand since opening.

The Boar's Head team | contributed

Justina Jonikaite, owner of The Boar’s Head, said of the award win: “We are absolutely delighted to have been named AA Restaurant with Rooms of the Year. This award is a fantastic recognition of the passion, dedication and hard work of our entire team, who strive every day to deliver exceptional food, genuine hospitality and memorable experiences for every guest who walks through our doors.

“The addition of our boutique rooms has been an exciting new chapter for the business, and to receive this level of recognition so soon after opening them is incredibly rewarding.”

The Boar's Head has built a reputation for its seasonal menus and commitment to locally sourced Scottish produce. The kitchen team creates dishes that celebrate the quality and provenance of ingredients from across the country, showcasing the best of Scotland's larder throughout the year.

Current menu highlights include hand-dived Scottish scallops with lobster bisque and julienne vegetables, Perthshire wood pigeon with salt-baked beetroot and white port thyme sauce, Balcaskie Estate hogget with salsa verde and ribbons of courgette, and wild venison served with petit pois à la française, smoked pancetta and oyster mushrooms.

The venue offers a variety of dining experiences, from casual drinks beside the log-burning stove and traditional Sunday lunches to private gatherings in the Snug dining room and meals from its seasonal à la carte menu. Complemented by its boutique accommodation, The Boar's Head provides a destination where guests can dine and stay.