9 Top Scottish food experiences

Nourishing and bursting with flavour, Scotland’s seafood enjoys a sparkling reputation across the world.

Where to buy the best seafood in Scotland

• The Fish Hoose in Angus – one of the best places to pick up a famous Arbroath Smokie, which is a fresh haddock, smoked over a hardwood fire.
• Donaldsons of Orkney – have won awards for their delicious hot smoked salmon.
• The Fish People in Glasgow – have an incredible selection of fresh Scottish fish, lobster, mussels and crab and offer everything from curated fish boxes for delivery to specially prepared deli food.
• Loch Fyne Oyster Ltd – located on the banks of Loch Fyne, sample delicious seafood in their restaurant and oyster bar. You can even enjoy a fresh catch from the comfort of your home with their online delivery service.

Treat yourself to a meal out in one of Scotland’s trendy restaurants.

• Gleneagles Hotel – indulge in one of the many fantastic restaurants at the hotel, including Andrew Fairlie’s two Michelin-star restaurant.
• The Bon Vivant and El Cartel – visit these sister restaurants on Thistle Street in Edinburgh for some quality European and Mexican food in atmospheric surroundings.
• Peat Inn in Fife - enjoy confident, contemporary cooking of seasonal dishes with the finest Scottish ingredients. There are also eight luxury suites available.

When the weather heats up, it’s the perfect time to satisfy your cravings with a sweet frozen treat. 

• Nardini’s – a family-run chain whose rich and intensely flavoured recipes have remained unchanged since the 1930s.
• Jannettas Gelateria in St Andrews – combines Italian ingredients with uniquely Scottish flavours, including Scottish tablet and Irn-Bru sorbet.
• Mary’s Milk Bar  in Edinburgh – showcases weird and wonderful flavour combinations including whisky and ginger, peanut butter and cinnamon.

Partial to fresh, local produce? Scotland is the place for you. Here are some of our top recommendations for exploring what Scotland has to offer:

• Forage at the Fife Arms – enjoy a guided walk deep in Aberdeenshire and learn more about Scottish plants and their uses with an in-house expert forager.
• Blackwater Bakehouse – no trip to the Isle of Arran is complete without a stop off at this bakery! Using the best local produce, they bake unique, organic loaves packed full of flavour. The trendy outdoor shed is open for self-service until they sell out of tasty goods.
• George Bower’s in Stockbridge – try some of the wild game that thrives in Scotland’s unique climate and terrain. George Bower’s is an Edinburgh institution and sells grouse, wild hare, pheasant, venison and more directly from their own game larder.
• Scottish Cheese Trail - discover Scotland's artisan cheesemakers in stunning locations across the country.
• Visit a farmers’ market – if you want to get your hands on locally sourced, organic food and drink, visit one of the many markets held regularly around the country.

As you’ll soon discover, Scotland’s vegan fare is inventive, healthy and, most importantly of all, delicious!

• The Coffee Bothy on the Isle of Skye – there are plenty of yummy cakes and homemade food with loads of vegan and vegetarian options. It's also dog-friendly, with resident dog Jynx always trying to source doggie snacks off of you.
• The Wildcat Café – offers a range of vegan-friendly dishes, as well ethical, organic and plastic-free goods.

From spirits to ales, Scotland’s natural landscape and produce lends itself to creating delicious craft drinks for visitors to try.

• Artisan Restaurant – this restaurant in Wishaw has a collection of over 1,300 whiskies, featuring bottles from all five of Scotland’s whisky regions to accompany your meal.
• Deerness Distillery – situated in the remote and dramatic Orkney Islands, their artisan Sea Glass gin gives you a real taste of the landscape.

Nothing sets you up for the day like a full Scottish breakfast. What sets it apart from a full English? The answer is black pudding, lorne sausage, and tattie scones. Here are some of our top picks for a spot of brunch in Scotland:

• The Edinburgh Larder – this foodie-haven showcases the very best Scotland has to offer, and the ingredients of their legendary breakfast are all locally sourced.
• Pacamara Food and Drink – as well as serving up some delicious waffles and pancakes, this Dundee brunch spot does a mean Scottish cooked breakfast.
• The Boathouse Glencaple – the café sits on the quay overlooking the River Nith in Dumfries & Galloway, so you can get the full works and enjoy your breakfast next to a lovely view.

Haggis, neeps n' tatties

Nourishing and oh-so-satisfying, haggis is a Scottish staple best enjoyed with a generous helping of mashed turnip (neeps), and potato (tatties) on the side.

Where to try – The Ubiquitous Chip in Glasgow always has haggis, neeps and tatties, as well as veggie alternatives, on the upstairs brasserie menu. You can also buy some delicious haggis from a local butcher.

Cranachan

The king of Scottish desserts, cranachan is traditionally made with crowdie (a soft crumbly Scottish cheese) mixed with cream, oats, raspberries, a dash of whisky and drizzled with honey.

Where to try – The Whiski Rooms in Edinburgh serve up a delicious in house cranachan – the perfect way to end your meal.

Cullen Skink

One of Scotland’s most famous dishes, this warming soup is creamy and heartening. Traditionally made with smoked haddock and potatoes, it’s Scotland’s answer to chowder.

Where to try – visit the Rockpool café in the town where this dish originates – where better to sample Cullen Skink than in Cullen itself?

With over 50 food and drink outlets it’s easy to see why Castle Douglas has gained a reputation as a fantastic food town.

• Sulwath Brewery – see how they craft their bespoke ales and browse local delis and restaurants for a delicious bite to eat.
• Glen Urr Ice Cream - the the lemon curd flavour, made to a secret family recipe, is mouthwatering, as are the berry sorbets. There is also a marvellous array of at least 300 traditional sweets to choose from.