With our rolling, rural hillsides, clear coastal waters and lush, fertile lands, Scotland produces some of the best, and most sought after, natural produce in the world.
From mouth-watering Aberdeen Angus steaks, to world-renowned seafood such as wild trout, salmon, oysters and langoustines, not to mention our water of life - whisky - the 'Made in Scotland' stamp has become synonymous with taste and quality. Even our cheese gives the French a run for their money!
Scotland’s stunning landscapes are more than just scenery – its coast and countryside are where our high-quality produce is reared, gathered and grown.
Hand-dived scallops, Aberdeen Angus beef, Ayrshire potatoes and the soft fruits of Fife are just some of the ingredients that Scottish chefs have to work with. Even seaweed, from Scotland’s seaweed farming sector is finding a place on our dinner plates.
Local butchers and fishmongers, as well as farm shops, food festivals and farmers markets, are great places to go to pick up tasty treats so you can cook up your own dishes.
Some Scottish produce is considered so unique that it’s been designated Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) by the European Union. These high-quality items must be produced in an agreed way and within a specific area to make use of the regional name.
So, when you taste products such as Stornoway Black Pudding, Traditional Ayrshire Dunlop cheese, Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar and Scottish Wild Salmon, you know it’s the real deal. And there’s nothing quite like eating them in the region they come from.
Our traditional Scottish dishes are enjoyed by both locals and visitors. Scottish traditional dishes include desserts such as Cranachan, sweet treats like shortbread and tablet and savoury dishes, including Scotch broth and black pudding and of course, haggis.
Various regional cakes and snacks can be found across the country, including Aberdeenshire butteries, which is a type of bread roll, Dundee Cake and Cullen Skink – a deliciously creamy seafood soup.
Scotland’s national dish is haggis, a savoury meat pudding, and it’s traditionally accompanied by mashed potatoes, turnips (known as ‘neeps’) and a whisky sauce.
This brings us to the national drink – whisky. Over 150 distilleries in Scotland produce this amber-hued liquid, many of which can be explored on a tour.
There are five Scottish whisky regions, each with their own distinct flavours, and rumour has it that if you don’t think you like whisky, it’s just because you haven’t found the right one yet!
Discover more about Scotch Whisky at VisitScotland
Discover more facts about Scottish food and drink at VisitScotland
Want something to drink to wash down all the food? We might have just the thing!
Time to tuck in – there are plenty of options when it comes to eating out in Scotland. All manner of restaurants, traditional pubs, cosy cafés, elegant tearooms and down-to-earth takeaways can be found across the country.
Splash out and dine in one of Scotland’s Michelin-star restaurants Join a foodie walking tour in Edinburgh or Glasgow to sample a range of top culinary experiences.
Eat fresh seafood dishes in Scotland’s seaside towns, delight in a traditional afternoon tea, or follow a food and drink trail for a foodie road trip. And if you’re still struggling to decide what to eat, check out places with Taste Our Best accreditation - this guarantees that they are serving up good quality Scottish food.
If plant-based food is more to your taste, then you’ll be glad to hear that Glasgow and Edinburgh are two of the most vegan friendly cities in the UK.
Food festivals, pop-up restaurants, street food and cooking masterclasses are just a few examples of the food-themed events you can experience in Scotland.
More on Scottish food on and drink on Visitscotland.com
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