Top 5 must-try food and drink when in Scotland

brenda
June 4, 2015
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When it comes to travel, we all know there is something very special about enjoying the food and drink of the country you are in. It tells a story like no other story can be told. The food on a plate is the only form of art that touches all 5 senses. Quite incredible really.

In Scotland, we are blessed with a fantastic natural larder. From Shetland lamb who graze on nutrient rich seaweed in the north to wild river salmon further south, from ripe raspberries in the east and sublime seafood in the west there is a feast of local and regional flavours around every corner and a plethora of stories just waiting to be heard.

We were recently pushed to make a list of the top 5 traditional food/drink you absolutely must try when in Scotland, so here they are:

1. ABERDEEN ANGUS BEEF: ‘HAME’S BEST’. No matter where Scots go in the world there is a saying that ‘Hame (Home)’s best’. Makes sense to have Aberdeen Angus beef in the country it originated in, doesn’t it? If you are interested in tasting organic Aberdeen Angus beef on the farm, with an insight from the farmer’s wife on why it really is the best in the world, it can be arranged via our Platinum (bespoke) tour service. There are also scheduled dates on the website, so just take your pick from the dates for the ‘Tasting Scotland’s Larder’ guided day tour.

2. FISH & SEAFOOD: WORLD REGARDED. A huge platter of Scottish salmon, super fresh crab, oysters and langoustines, a squeeze of lemon and a glass of chilled wine on a summer’s day by the pier or loch is as close to perfect as it gets. On Scotland’s hottest day of 2014, we recall taking two guests from New Zealand out on their day tour ‘Tasting St Andrews’. Sitting by the pier in the pretty fishing village of St Monans, enjoying freshly caught and expertly smoked lobster is a taste memory unlikely
to be forgotten. I wonder who we will share the joy with this summer?

3. ARTISANAL CHEESE: PRESERVING TRADITION. Using recipes passed down the generations, from Scotland’s first cheese ‘Crowdie’, a light, soft cheese to the punchy and aged ‘Mull Cheddar’ there is a cheese for all tastes. And then of course there is all manner of shapes, sizes, recipes and traditions attached to the oatcakes that accompany them.

4. HAGGIS: HUMBLE AND HEARTY. Tuck in and think of Scotland. The vegetarian version is well worth a try too. Always best with ‘neeps’ and ‘tatties’. (That’s swede, interestingly not turnip, and mashed potatoes) for those not familiar. A dram of Scotch on the side is not compulsory, but well, if we must….which leads us nicely on to our final choice.

5. WHISKY: THE HOME OF SCOTCH. Visit a distillery and sample the very water of life itself; Scotch Whisky. We’re only just out of May, traditionally Whisky month in Scotland, but tours, tastings and exclusive whisky based experiences are always available. Let’s face it, if they weren’t then our rivers wouldn’t likely be full of salmon, on account of them having frozen over. Our self-guided walking tours of Edinburgh and Glasgow also feature whisky tastings and some of our self-drive options include visits to distilleries (except for the driver who goes with our compliments).

We are always interested to hear from you. Been to Scotland? What did you enjoy eating and drinking when you were here? If you are thinking about a short break or vacation and are looking for some golden tickets to get up close to Scotland’s artisans, perhaps cook up your own slice of Scotland with your own private chef or take in a distillery or two, look no further.As well as our pre-designed itineraries we offer a Platinum bespoke service, hand-crafting an itinerary to suit you.

Are you ready to create a collection of taste memories of your own to take back home and share?