Boisdale of Bishopsgate

Specialties

Boisdale restaurants, the embassy of Highland hospitality south of the border, have three establishments in London — in Belgravia, Bishopsgate and in Canary Wharf that feature a unique and very successful mix of fine food, a great wine list, an unparalleled range of whiskies, probably the widest selection of cigars in the world and the best classic jazz, blues and soul offering in London cast in a unique setting.

History

Established in 1989.

Boisdale captures the essence of centuries of proud tradition with its warmth, informality and end of empire atmosphere, reminiscent of a Highland country house. Today, Ranald Macdonald, the eldest son of the 24^th chief of Clanranald hosts Boisdale’s restaurants and bars. Boisdale is named after the remote port on the beautiful isle of South Uist in the Outer Hebrides, off the northwest Coast of Scotland. Boisdale was home to the Macdonalds of Boisdale — the senior cadet branch of the Macdonalds of Clanranald, the largest and most anciently royal of all the Highland clans. There are more than three million Macdonald clansmen throughout the world — all of whom can lay claim to this magnificent heritage, which has been charted down the generations. The Boisdale emblem is derived from the family crest — a seal stamped into the molten glass of an 18^th century Claret bottle found in the vicinity of Castle Tioram, ancient 13^th century home to the Macdonalds of Clanranald.

Meet the Business Owner

Ranald M.

Business Owner

Considered to be one of London’s leading restaurateurs, Ranald Macdonald has created a Scottish dining and live jazz empire in London. Following a childhood split between London and Loch Tay, he studied at the University of St Andrews. After learning rather more about wine and cigars during his university years than his intended academic subjects, Ranald’s departure was more abrupt than anticipated. Despite this, Ranald had faith in his entrepreneurial skills and profound knowledge of fine wines and Cuban cigars, and, in 1985 he started his first business, Boisdale Wines, in London’s exclusive Belgravia. In 1986, due to unexpectedly high operational costs, Boisdale Wines went into liquidation, but not before Ranald made his first million. Undeterred, Ranald took advantage of an opportunity to purchase a small restaurant on Eccleston Street, just a short walk from his first enterprise. Boisdale of Belgravia was born and the rest, as they say, is history.