In the 1930s Fortrose was a popular holiday destination so several cafes and tearooms sprang up. Margaret Rennie’s Restaurant served breakfasts, luncheons and teas at ‘moderate’ prices. A Mrs Rennie is listed as running ‘refreshment rooms’ at 38 High Street as early as 1911.
After the Second World War the Charlie Pagliari took over the restaurant and renamed it ‘The Merrythought Café’.
Mario Pagliari was 19 years old when he arrived in Scotland from his native Italy in 1958. He spoke no English.
His first job was at Greenside Farm on the Black Isle. When his four year farming stint ended, his Uncle Enrico Pagliari who owned the Academy Restaurant and Ice Cream Factory in Inverness helped Mario set up in business in the Merrythought Cafe in Fortrose.
He married his wife Carla in 1965 and the couple soon became popular members of the Fortrose and Rosemarie communities.
Mario later acknowledged the hard work required in the early days – working from nine in the morning until eleven o’clock at night.
Mario and Carlo had three sons: Romano, Roberto and Franco. All went to the Abbey School at Fort Augustus. Romano became a lecturer in economics, Robert a banker and Franco entered the world of Art.
Mario served for four years as President of Fortrose Amateur F.C.
When he retired from the business, the community threw a party and organised a presentation for him and Carla in the Town Hall
Following their retirement the cafe became a fish and chip shop.
In 2017, the business trades as Jaki Fish and Chips. It is run by Jaki Shewan.