Chocolate celebrations for Roald Dahl Day

September is the month in which chocolate-lovers everywhere celebrate the birthday of Roald Dahl, beloved author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  This mouth-watering chocoholics guide has been designed to celebrate Roald Dahl's birthday (13 September) and Scotland's Year of Food and Drink. The great news is that unlike in Roald Dahl's famous book, you don't need a golden ticket to take part in the fun!
You can choose from a wide variety of things to see and do across the country, from visiting chocolate factories to taking part in specialist chocolate cookery courses.

High quality chocolate is hand-made all over Scotland, with flavours to suit every taste ranging from plain to Drambuie and oat and everything in between.

For the Willy Wonkas who want to have a go at making their own chocolate, there are several cook schools and chocolatiers offering tasting courses and courses in how to master the cocoa bean. And don't forget the kids as many places offer special events for children.

For the ultimate chocolate experience on Roald Dahl Day, take a trip to The Scottish Chocolate Centre in Perthshire. The first visitor centre in Scotland dedicated to chocolate, its origins, and the wondrous ways of turning cocoa into the most sought after and adored of all confections. The Centre boasts an enchanting coffee house, gift showrooms and gourmet chocolate shop and makes the perfect autumn day out for all the family.
 
Here's a list of chocolate experiences around Scotland where you can celebrate Roald Dahl's birthday:
  

Edinburgh and the Lothians

Thinking Chocolate - chocolate makers and chocolate making and tasting courses

Hot Chocolates - hand-made chocolates from the capital
 
Coco Chocolate - hand-made organic chocolate, chocolate school, tastings and children's events
 
The Scotch Whisky Experience - match whisky with the perfect organic chocolate
 
James's Chocolates - hand-made in Arran and sold in Linlithgow
 
Cookingmania - Death by Chocolate courses for adults and kids
 
Edinburgh School of Food & Wine - learn to cook with chocolate

Highlands and Moray

Maya - Belgian chocolates hand-made in the Strathpeffer, shop and coffee house
 
The Olive Tree Chocolate Factory - a family run business specialising in making Belgian chocolates
 
Cocoa Mountain - hand-made chocolates from Durness, Sutherland

Rest of Scotland

Cocoa Black - chocolate school and gourmet chocolates, Peebles
 
Divine Inspirations - hand-made chocolates and chocolate events for adults and children, Ayrshire
 
Foords Chocolates - Shetland hand-made luxury chocolates
 
Oban Chocolate Company - visit the factory, buy chocolates or take part in a kids workshop
 
Scottish Collection - The Chocolate Library - customise your own bar of chocolate or choose from a catalogue of bars for every occasion
 
The Cocoa Tree Shop & Cafe - Pittenweem, Fife

Legends of Grandtully, Perthshire - home to Iain Burnett, The Highland Chocolatier and his award-winning velvet truffles