Heat & Eat meals
Q1: What are chef-prepared Heat & Eat meals?
Meg’s Heat & Eat meals are homemade, chef-prepared meals made in small batches in Dalavich, Argyll. They include comforting family favourites, curries, vegetarian dishes, soups, sides and desserts. Most are freshly prepared and frozen at their best, giving you proper homemade food ready to heat whenever you need it.
Q2: Are your homemade ready meals fresh or frozen?
Most of our homemade ready meals are freshly prepared in small batches and then frozen to preserve their flavour and freshness without unnecessary preservatives. Each dish comes with clear heating instructions and can be cooked directly from frozen unless its label advises otherwise.
Q3: Can I cook your frozen ready meals without defrosting them?
Yes. All meals supplied frozen can be heated directly from frozen. Depending on the dish, it may be heated in the oven, microwave or on the hob. Full instructions are supplied so you know which method, temperature and cooking time to use.
Q4: What types of ready meals can I order?
The menu includes family favourites such as pies, pasta bakes and cottage pie, alongside curries inspired by India and South East Asia. You can also order soups, starters, rice, vegetable sides, breads and homemade desserts. Availability may change because everything is produced in small batches.
Q5: Do you offer vegetarian and vegan Heat & Eat meals?
Yes. The menu regularly includes vegetarian and vegan dishes such as lentil cottage pie, vegetable curries, pasta bakes and bean-based meals. Please check the current online menu for availability and read the individual allergen information before ordering.
Q6: Are your meals suitable for filling the freezer?
Yes. Our frozen ready meals are ideal for keeping in the freezer for busy days, unexpected guests or occasions when you do not feel like cooking. Freezer Filling options may be ordered in larger quantities, subject to availability and sufficient notice.
Ordering, collection and delivery
Q7: Where can I order homemade ready meals in Dalavich?
You can order homemade ready meals from Meg’s Scottish Kitchen through our online ordering page. We are based at 8 Dalavich, beside Loch Awe in Argyll, and online ordering is available 24 hours a day.
Q8: Do you offer food delivery in Dalavich?
Yes. Local food delivery is available within Dalavich, subject to availability. Orders may also be collected from Meg’s Scottish Kitchen. Select delivery or collection when ordering online and choose an available time between 6.00pm and 9.30pm.
Q9: Do you deliver ready meals to Oban or throughout Argyll?
Our regular delivery service is limited to Dalavich. If you are staying elsewhere around Loch Awe or travelling from Oban, please contact us before ordering to discuss collection or whether another arrangement may be possible. Wider delivery cannot be guaranteed.
Q10: How much notice do you need for an order?
Advance ordering is recommended, particularly during weekends and busy holiday periods, because everything is produced by a small artisan business. Many Heat & Eat meals may be available for same-day collection, but selected products require additional notice. Breakfast hampers require at least 24 hours’ notice.
Q11: Where do I collect my Heat & Eat order?
Orders can be collected from Meg’s Scottish Kitchen, Dalavich, Argyll, PA35 1HN. Collection information and your chosen time will be confirmed when you order. Parking is available, and you are welcome to contact us if you have difficulty finding the collection point.
Holiday cottage meals and hampers
Q12: Can I order meals for a holiday cottage near Loch Awe?
Yes. Our holiday cottage meals are designed for visitors staying in Dalavich and around Loch Awe. You can order an arrival supper, breakfast hamper, picnic hamper, grazing board or a selection of Heat & Eat meals before your stay, leaving you more time to enjoy your holiday.
Q13: Can food be ready when we arrive at our holiday accommodation?
Depending on the arrangement with your accommodation provider, your order may be collected, delivered locally or placed in the property before your arrival. Please order ahead and tell us where you are staying so that we can confirm what is possible.
Q14: What is included in a Scottish breakfast hamper?
Our breakfast hampers contain a selection of fresh, local and homemade breakfast favourites for an easy first morning in your holiday cottage. The current contents, portion size and available additions are shown on the online menu. Because the hampers are prepared to order, at least 24 hours’ notice is required.
Q15: Can I order food for a family or larger holiday group?
Yes. Many dishes can be ordered in portions suitable for couples, families and larger groups. You can combine mains, vegetable dishes, rice, bread and desserts to create a complete meal. For a large order, contact us in advance so that we can confirm availability and help you plan suitable quantities.
Q16: Do you supply holiday welcome hampers for property owners?
Yes. Meg’s Scottish Kitchen works with holiday-let owners and accommodation providers to offer arrival meals, breakfast hampers and other locally prepared food for their guests. Bespoke arrangements can be discussed according to the property, guest numbers and frequency of orders.
Ingredients, allergens and dietary requirements
Q17: Do you use local and seasonal Scottish ingredients?
We use quality ingredients and include local and seasonal Scottish produce wherever it is practical and appropriate. Menus change throughout the year to reflect availability, while familiar family favourites remain part of the range.
Q18: Do your chef-prepared meals contain preservatives?
Our meals are made with real ingredients and without unnecessary preservatives. Freezing allows us to preserve freshly prepared dishes at their best while making them convenient to store and heat at home.
Q19: Can you accommodate food allergies?
Every product should be checked individually because ingredients and allergens vary between dishes. Please tell us about any allergy before ordering. All food is prepared in a kitchen that handles all 14 regulated allergens, so we cannot guarantee that any product is entirely free from traces of a particular allergen.
Q20: Do your meals have allergen and heating information?
Yes. Products are supplied with ingredient, allergen, storage and heating information as appropriate. If you need more information about a dish before ordering, please contact us and we will be happy to help.
Cookery, recipes and products
Q21: Where can I find seasonal Scottish recipes?
Meg’s Scottish Kitchen shares seasonal Scottish recipes, practical cookery advice and inspiration for making the most of Scotland’s natural larder. Recipes are written by classically trained chef, cookbook author and cookery teacher Meg Shead.
Q22: Does Meg’s Scottish Kitchen offer cookery classes in Argyll?
Yes. Meg offers relaxed cookery classes designed to build confidence through seasonal recipes, useful professional techniques and practical kitchen skills. Visit the cookery-class page for forthcoming dates, subjects and booking information.
Q23: What Scottish food gifts can I buy online?
The online shop includes small-batch baking mixes, seasoning blends, dressings, preserves and other thoughtful food gifts. Availability changes seasonally, so browse the current collection for the latest products.