From Market Stalls to Spirit Stills: Celebrating Homecoming Scotland

We are often asked so how do you choose which Scottish produce to showcase on your food and drink walking tours?  Well, it generally depends on the weather and who has arrived at Scotland’s largest Farmers’ Market. With an incredible footfall of between 6-10,000 people per week, musicians plucking or drumming out tunes aplenty and of course the most incredible location with Edinburgh Castle as the backdrop, Edinburgh Farmers’ Market is most definitely our favourite place to start. 

 

Today we tried the 2 new oils from cold pressed rapeseed oil experts Summer Harvest. The white truffle and the smoked ones are well worth seeking out. (We’ll have some suggestions on how to use the oils in a forthcoming post, so look out for that).

 

For something unusual there was Buffalo from Puddledub Buffalo in Fife, Smoked Salmon from Creelers of Arran for something fishy and the first of the seasons Scottish Strawberries from the Tay Valley for something ‘just in’. Generally, we just like to mix it up with regular favourites that we know people love and seasonal treats.

 

We tried a ‘Meal in a Pie’, and sticking on the seasonal theme we chose the lamb and minted apple option from Simple Simons Pie. We appreciate that Bernard the owner never starts with costs, his first point is choosing premium quality Scottish ingredients and he works backwards. The result is most certainly a pie that packs a super flavoursome punch.

 

Our Cheese of choice today was from the island based Arran cheese Co and chocolate du jour (well isn’t it always) was from the Edinburgh based Chocolate Tree. Hardly a finer way to finish off any meal in whichever order you prefer.

 

There was Scotch Whisky from the Ardbeg and Glengoyne distilleries to name but a few and a visit to the world’s largest collection of whiskies. Our choice of small batch craft ales including a range from the St Andrews based Eden Brewery, a hoppy ‘Jaguar’ ale and the ‘Spring Forward’ brew from Glasgow’s Kelburn Brewery. We tried a range of wines from the Cairn O’Mohr winery. Have you tried their Strawberry sparkling wine? Incredible. And to even it up again on the spirit side we tried the recently released hot off the distillation still ‘Homecoming Scotland’ thistle and heather infused Gin produced by the Strathearn Distillery. We simply like to mix up the flavours and textures so there is something for all tastes.

 

 

Talking of hot news, we are now taking bookings for our brand new self-drive day tour. How about an Aberdeen Angus Steak Tasting Experience at Griersons Organic Perthshire farm to start things off?  We are planning the perfect trip to tie in with Fathers Day on Sunday 15 June that combines an insight into the world famous Aberdeen Angus breed and a range of steak and ale tastings. Places are like gold dust with very limited places. Or for more general information add your name to our e-update list and we will keep you up to date. See our contact us page on our website  https://www.tastingscotland.com/contact/

 

Now where’s that slab of ‘bean to bar’ chocolate from the Chocolate Tree disappeared to?  Happy Easter!