If you ask most people what pops into their head when someone mentions a hog roast, they’ll picture a full medieval feast – long wooden tables, a whole pig (with an apple in its mouth, naturally) and tankards of mead being knocked back like there’s no tomorrow. And honestly? We’re not mad about that image. Hog Roast Wigtownshire may have modern equipment and less chainmail, but we’ve always loved the old-school theatre of a proper roast.
So when Wendy got in touch and said she was hosting a full medieval-themed party for her 60th and needed a hog roast to match? Well, let’s just say the excitement levels at HQ shot straight through the roof.
The venue alone set the tone. Tucked away at the Mark of Loch Ronald in Kirkcowan, the place looked like it had wandered straight out of a storybook. Add in fifty guests decked out in their finest medieval get-ups – velvet cloaks, flowing gowns, the whole lot – and you can imagine how quickly we were swept up in the atmosphere.
Hog Roast Wigtownshire’s catering manager, Sophie, took charge of the feast. Days before the big bash, we sourced a free-range hog from a local farm – the kind of hog that makes you excited to start cooking before it’s even out of the van. Fresh pork behaves beautifully under heat, and this one was no exception. We scored the skin, splashed it with water, worked salt into every fold and let it roast slowly until the crackling turned that perfect deep golden colour.
While the hog did its thing, we put together the sides: applesauce, sage and onion stuffing, tomato and mozzarella salad, crunchy coleslaw, mixed salad, and a heap of sweet potato and classic fries with sauces on standby. We also made sure the menu included a fully plant-based main – grilled vegetable skewers with tzatziki, flatbreads and optional halloumi – for the veggie and vegan guests.
For an extra nod to the theme, Hog Roast Wigtownshire served everything on wooden plates with matching cutlery, which turned out to be a huge hit. Plates were piled high (several times over), and by the end of the night there wasn’t a scrap left.
Wendy’s party was a joy from start to finish – and yes, she left us a glowing five-star review that absolutely made our week.
