Essential food and beverage experiences in the land of kilts and bagpipes
Scotland is famous for a great many things. Its highlands, abundant golf courses, kilts, bagpipes and of course 'haggis', which we don’t need to tell you that it requires an acquired taste. But if sheep’s minced liver, heart and lungs cooked in its stomach isn’t up your alley, rest assured Scotland has more than enough interesting and tasty goodness to tantalise your taste buds.
Follow the Scotch Malt Whisky Trail
Follow the world-famous Malt Whisky Trail through Speyside to seven working distilleries, including a fascinating cooperage and a historic distillery. The trail from Benromach to Dallas Dhu offers a perfect time capsule of whisky-making, the trail from Glen Moray to Strathisla is home and heart of Chivas Regal, the one from the Glen Grant distillery to the Speyside Cooperage showcases real coopers working with incredible speed and skill and the trail from Glenfiddich to The Glenlivet and the Cardhu distillery leads you through the picturesque lush countryside of Speyside.
Grab your chef's whites and cook yourself a treat
With the immense amount of great produce for sale at Scotland's farmers' markets and local shops, you might be in need of some guidance when it comes to cooking them. Award-winning chefs Nick Nairn, Tom Lewis and Martin Wishart run cook schools in Port of Menteith, Callander and Leith respectively. There are also whisky cookery classes for men available with Glenfiddich at Edinburgh's School of Food & Wine.
Nibble your way through Scotland's farmers' markets
There are over 70 regular farmers' markets across Scotland and they're great places to find local specialities like Arbroath Smokies, heather honey, porridge bars (made from stocking brown sugar, cream, whisky and honey), live shellfish and venison pies. Arguably the best place in the country to tuck into homegrown goodness.
Taste some traditional smoked products
Set in an 18th-century inn by the River Teviot, the Teviot Game Far Smokery produces smoked salmon, trout, duck, homemade smoked pâté and cheese. Just as impressive is its beautiful riverside garden where you can watch out for otters, which are also big fans of the fish.
Introduce yourself to Cheese Heaven
Visit Iain Mellis' emporiums for a mouth-watering selection of farmhouse cheeses. There are four shops in Edinburgh, one in Glasgow and one in St Andrews and you shouldn't have any trouble finding them – you can smell them before you can see them! The cheeses are specially ripened so you'll only get cheese when it's at its best. Alternatively, you could visit the cheese makers directly on the Scottish Cheese Trail.
