The Horn cafe to move down A90

The home of the world's best bacon butty is on the move after more than half a century.

The Horn will soon move down the A90 to a purpose-built £1m building. Picture: Contributed

The iconic Horn Milk Bar between Dundee and Perth started life in 1960 as a simple tartan shed.

It’s now planning to move 100 metres down the A90 to a new, purpose-built £1m home at the nearby Inchmichael flyover.

Its bacon roll - the A90 Behemoth - was voted best in the world in 2012.

The new Horn Milk Bar plans to open 24-hours, offer a new takeaway service and double staffing levels from 12 to 24.

Owner James Farquharson confirmed the iconic cow that adorns the roof of the current landmark site will be making the short journey to pastures new should Perth and Kinross Council grants approval.

“The plan is to move The Horn and open 24/7,” he said.

“The project will not only help employment in the area, but satisfy increasing demand.

“When we opened in 1960, we initially sold home-grown farm produce but we discovered there was an appetite for more to it than that.

“People wanted to come here in their cars, have something to eat and then go on their way.

“It was initially described as being halfway between Dundee and Perth but now it is regarded as being halfway between Aberdeen and Glasgow and Aberdeen and Edinburgh.

“The majority of our business is currently through transient traffic; customers who stop at The Horn then travel onwards, either heading North or South.”

“The upgrading of the road has helped this — our location is definitely second to none.

“However, if we move closer to the flyover it will make it safer, and there is less chance of bumps.”

A vision of the new Horn, which has been lodged in the planning submissions, states the facility is arguably “one of the oldest” roadside services in Scotland.

The statement says: “It is imperative to understand that this is not simply constructing a new building, but relocating The Horn — a long, established successful business — to an adjacent location, in order to satisfy the expectations and needs of existing and future clientele.

“It would be foolhardy to ignore our existing clientele – this would be done at our peril.

“We must remain recession-proof and build on 60 years’ experience and reputation as an institution, by upgrading and constructing a new improved Horn.

“Additionally, the task is to transform The Horn from a predominantly transient location to a destination point locally and nationally.”

The vision also states the current car parking for cars and coaches is “totally inadequate” and not “fit-for-purpose.”

It adds: “The Dundee -ound bus stop is an especially dangerous crossing across the A90.

“We would suggest there may be an opportunity to consider repositioning the bus stops.

“We can draw comparisons with the multi-award winning Tebay services near Penrith.

“The remaining areas of The Horn site will be zoned for intended development while marketing continues.”

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