A Perfect Day in Scotland

Mon, 15 Mar 2010

A Perfect Day in Scotland

Scotland provides the perfect setting for all things food and drink. Only in Scotland can you enjoy fresh seafood in a bistro yards from the ocean, wander through fields of sweet strawberries to pick your own dessert or source local produce and cook it up yourself.
To discover your own Perfect foodie day you can use the Foodie Search (top right) to discover great places to eat, foodie visitor attractions and producers as well as events, trips and trails by area. Or below are some suggestions of great foodie days we have pulled together for you to browse.

Click on the links below for more details


Discover the tastes of Arran







The beautiful Isle of Arran has something for everyone, from a whisky distillery to a chocolatier. Arran truly is the perfect destination for a culinary adventure.
More...


Enjoy a culinary tour on Skye



Join the long line of foodies who make the pilgrimage to Skye to sample the wonderful produce and incredible scenery on offer in the Scottish Highlands and islands.
More...


Sample fresh seafood in Oban



Translating from the Gaelic to 'The Little Bay', Oban has a wonderful bustling harbour and a huge range of fresh seafood is brought ashore each day.
More...


Take a foodie break to Orkney



Relax and leave all the stresses of mainland life behind with the perfect foodie break in Orkney. Take advantage of long summer days and explore this beautiful northern archipelago; soak up its fascinating archaeology, spot wonderful wildlife and sample some of the finest local cuisine.
More...


Try a flavour of the south



Have a deliciously fun day at Cream o' Galloway, reknowned for its luxury organic fairtrade dairy ice cream. The family run farm and visitor centre is nestled in the beautiful countryside of Dumfries & Galloway in the south of Scotland.
More...


Visit Scotland's natural larder



The picturesque coastal town of Stonehaven is an ideal place to sample the flavours of Scotland's natural larder in the north east of Scotland. A fascinating history and distinct culture, combined with fantastic food and a warm welcome, there's something to suit every taste.
More...

Discover the tastes of Arran

The Isle of Arran is often referred to as Scotland in miniature, with its mountains and lochs in the north, and rolling hills and meadows in the south. A beautiful coastline and clear air create ideal conditions for producing delicious food and drink.

This beautiful island has something from everyone, from whisky distillery to chocolatier. Arran truly is the perfect destination for a culinary adventure.

Washed by the warm waters of the Gulf Stream and home to the purest water supply in Scotland, Arran enjoys the ideal conditions for the speedy maturation of its single malt whisky. Visit the Isle of Arran Distillers, situated amongst the beautiful scenery of Lochranza, where you can learn about the history of whisky making on the island and take home a bottle of Arran Malt, which proudly claims to offer the 'true spirit of nature'.

Continue on to the sea front in Brodick Bay where you can watch chocolates being made by hand at the Arran Chocolate Factory before buying a beautifully presented selection.

Arran is famed for its dairy products and the Torrylinn Creamery is an example of cheese making at its best. The creamy tasting Dunlop type cheese is created with the old hands on creamery methods.

The Island Cheese Company is preserving the art of artisan cheesemaking on Arran, which goes back to pre-World War II days of self-sufficiency, when every farm made cheese from its own milk. The old creamery at Brodick reverted to this tradition when it started production more than 15 years ago. The current cheesemaker, Susan Currie, milks her own animals at the Bellevue farm where a new farmhouse creamery has just been opened.

Enjoy a relaxing break at Auchrannie Resort, a luxury hotel and spa nestled in stunning Glencoy. With three fantastic options for dining, all EatScotland quality assured, you're sure to find something to tantalise your tastebuds at Auchrannie. For contemporary luxury dining try eighteen69, which holds an EatScotland Silver award. Cruize Brasserie is great for all the family with play areas and beautiful views of Glen Coy, while Brambles Brasserie creates a wonderful range of dishes using exclusively fresh produce.

Enjoy a culinary tour on Skye

Join the long line of foodies who make the pilgrimage to Skye to sample the wonderful produce and incredible scenery on offer in the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

Skye has acquired a reputation for fine dining, as restaurants strive to make the best of fish and seafood caught in the surrounding waters and meat and game from the hills. And all come with incredible views as standard.

EatScotland Gold award-winning, The Three Chimneys on Skye is synonymous with all that is good about eating out in Scotland. Situated on the remote outpost of Colbost, the restaurant is a beautifully renovated croft house with original fireplaces and low beamed ceilings. The menu is a modern twist on Scotland's famous larder, with the upmost importance placed on the quality of ingredients - which are of course sourced locally.

Kinloch Lodge is home to cookery writer Lady Claire Macdonald and is famed for its marvellous food. The EatScotland Silver award-winning restaurant is headed up by Roux brothers' trained chef Marcello Tully. Visit for lunch, dinner, afternoon tea, or indulge your passion for the finest local and seasonal food on a three-day residential cookery course.

For dramatic views of the Cuillins and a whisky tasting experience like no other, visit the Talisker Whisky Distillery on the shores of Loch Harport. The dramatic scenery, combined with a dram of sweet, full bodied single malt is sure to leave a lasting impression of Skye.

Visit the Isle of Skye Brewing Company and pick up some of the multi award winning real ales which made the firm's name. The products on offer range from the flagship Red Cuillin to Skye's strongest ale, the Cuillin Beast.

Discover some clan history at Dunvegan Castle, nestled on the shores of Loch Dunvegan. The Castle was once the most renowned of the Hebridean strongholds and has been home to the Chiefs of MacLeod for almost 800 years. Take a stroll around the castle gardens and admire beautiful displays of blooming rhododendrons. The sheer diversity of plants and trees in the gardens never fails to impress.

Sample seafood in Oban

Translating as 'The Little Bay' in Gaelic, Oban has a wonderful bustling harbour and a great selection of shops, bars and restaurants. A huge variety of fresh seafood is brought ashore and is served up daily in Oban's restaurants.

If you fancy working up an appetite why not take a walk to McCaig's Folly settled on top of the hill behind Oban and take in the views across to Mull, or catch the small ferry to Kerrera and explore the island for the day. Afterwards satisfy your taste buds at EatScotland award winning Bossards Patisserie. The perfect place to stop for coffee, freshly baked bread and the most delicious cakes and pastries around.

For delicious seafood to take home, stop by the Inverawe Smokehouse and see how they create amazing specialties such as oak smoked and roast smoked salmon or the delicately flavoured smoked Loch Etive trout. The deli offers everything from seafood canapés and marinated fish to pates and smoked Scottish meats.

Spend some time at the Inverawe Visitor Centre and explore the nature trails, host to an abundance of wildlife. Stop at the picnic area and sample some of the goodies picked up in the gourmet shop.

Kilmartin Glen is home to a myriad of Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments, coupled with early Christian carved stones and ruined castles. South of Oban, this site was capital of the ancient Celtic kingdom of Dalriada and is worth taking some time to explore.

Lying beneath the steep cliff overlooking Oban is one of the Scotland's oldest sources of single malt whisky. Visit Oban Distillery, and discover a proud history of whisky production. Take a tour, which covers the whisky making process, before sampling some of this fine single malt straight from the cask.

Round off the perfect day and settle into a cosy pub by the seafront or enjoy a romantic candlelit dinner as you admire views of the perfectly formed horseshoe harbour. Try EatScotland Silver awarded Coast, a contemporary restaurant on the waterfront, next to the Oban Art Gallery. Sample Oban landed crab and fresh langoustines sourced from Loch Linnhe before sitting back to enjoy the sun settle over the horizon.

Spend some time in Oban, a town so perfectly formed by its location by the sea, and you're sure to return time and again.

Take a foodie break to Orkney

Relax and leave all the stresses of mainland life behind with the perfect foodie break in Orkney. Take advantage of long summer days and explore this beautiful northern archipelago; soak up its fascinating archaeology, spot wonderful wildlife and sample some of the finest local cuisine.

For a taste of Orkney's best seasonal produce, the Silver EatScotland Creel Restaurant takes pride in using local ingredients wherever possible and, thanks to its waterfront location, seafood is a specialty. Find hand-dived scallops, mussels and lobster from local creels on the menu, as well as lesser known fish, such as torsk and sea witch. The island's organic salmon and the famous seaweed-fed North Ronaldsay lamb are also a must-try.

Held on the last Saturday of the month, visit Scotland's most northerly farmers' market, which is set up in front of the magnificent St Magnus Catherdral in Kirkwall. Find top quality organic vegetables and herbs, not to mention the freshest fish and meat. This is a fantastic opportunity to grab some of the unique produce that doesn't travel to the mainland. Pick up some Orkney farmhouse cheese, which is wonderful; rich and soft, crumbly and creamy. Grimbister cheese, which is most commonly available, can be smoked or fruit filled, while you should also look out for locally produced Shapinsay cheese. The beauty of the farmers' market is that you can meet the producers and taste some before buying.

Possibly the island's most famous exports, Orkney Fudge and Orkney Ice Cream are sold the world over - and with good reason. The Orkney Creamery creates a variety of delicious flavours, from plain and pecan to malt whisky. The fudge is perfect to enjoy as part of a picnic or as a snack whilst soaking up some of Orkney's wonderful views. The remarkably creamy Orkney ice cream is available almost everywhere on the island and is simply delicious.

Join a tour of the Orkney Brewery, where you can witness the full brewing process for ever-popular beers and real ales such as Dark Island and Skull Splitter. The brewery is based in the heart of Neolithic Orkney, and this inspiration is right at the heart of this unique brewery and its creations.

Also take some time to visit the Highland Park whisky distillery, which is also heavily influenced by Orkney's Viking heritage. This splendid single malt whisky has received praise from enthusiasts around the world, which, with 200 years of distilling tradition behind it, shows no sign of abating.

Try a flavour of the south

Have a deliciously fun day at Cream o' Galloway, a family run farm nestled in the beautiful countryside of Dumfries & Galloway. Join the farm tour which takes a behind the scenes look at life on an organic farm and is timed to coincide with the dairy herd coming in for their afternoon milking. The tour ends with a free scoop of creamy ice cream, frozen smoothie or frozen yoghurt - all Cream o' Galloway specialties.

The adventure playground has something for everyone, from an action packed assault course to the indoor Smugglers Warren designed with younger visitors in mind.

For spectacular views, climb the 50ft Viewing Tower which looks out over the trees and admire the rolling Galloway hills right out towards the coastline. The woodland canopy includes a unique view of a rookery, where the birds set up home every spring to raise new birds. It's also the perfect opportunity to spot some of the local woodland wildlife.

After working up an appetite, visit the tearoom and sample some of the region's celebrated local produce. Find everything from salads and vegetables grown on the farm to delicious fayre from Dumfries & Galloway's celebrated larder. Sample freshly baked Wigwam bread from Creetown or jams, pickles and mustards from Galloway Lodge Preserves, or even try out the local beer from Sulwath Brewery in Castle Douglas. It's so good, you're sure to take some home.

Visit Scotland's most southerly distillery, found on the green banks of the River Bladnoch, from which it takes its name. Located in a beautifully remote area of Galloway, Bladnoch Distillery has been producing the 'Spirit of the Lowlands' since 1817. The cluster of slate roofed stone buildings and the traditional methods of creating this wonderful single malt have enticed visitors for many years.

Meander through the distillery gardens and make your way to the Dramming Room, where you can relax and enjoy a dram of Bladnoch's finest single malt whisky.

Visit Scotland's natural larder

The picturesque coastal town of Stonehaven is an ideal place to sample a flavour of the north east of Scotland. A fascinating history and distinct culture, combined with fantastic food and a warm welcome, there's something to suit every taste.

Spend an afternoon wandering around Stonehaven Farmers Market, held on the first Saturday of the month. The region is renowned for it lush and fertile land, ideal conditions for growing quality produce. Pick up the very best of the region's specialties, including delicious Aberdeen Angus beef, fresh seafood, organic fruit and vegetables and home baking. Make sure you stop to chat with the producers and pick up a few serving tips at the same time.

For great coffee and one of the best views in town, stop off at the EatScotland awarded Boathouse Café. Looking out over Stonehaven Bay to the north and Doonie Point in the south, find a seat on the patio and spot some local wildlife, including dolphins, seals and an array of seabirds.

Just south of Stonehaven, make sure you explore the many buildings and ruins of Dunnottar Castle, a spectacular cliff-top fortress with beautiful seascape views. The Castle, which was graced by the presence of both William Wallace and Mary Queen of Scots, offers a captivating insight into Scotland's rich history.

Why not venture further north and take advantage the Scottish Traditional Boat Festival, which showcases the fine maritime heritage of the north east. Held July 2-5, this special Homecoming Scotland event is putting more emphasis on food and drink for 2009. Look out for the Scottish Food Fayre, where you can view how specialty dishes are prepared, such as Arbroath Smokies.

No visit to the north of Scotland would be complete without taking in the world-famous Malt Whisky Trail. See the beautiful countryside of Speyside and visit seven working distilleries, including the multi-award winning Speyside Cooperage and Strathisla Distillery, which was founded in 1786 and lays claims as Scotland's oldest working distillery.

Taking in world famous brands, from Glenfiddich to Glenlivet, Scotland's whisky trail signposts lead you through the picturesque lush countryside of Speyside. A must-see for any whisky enthusiast.

Find your Perfect Day in Scotland, from culinary adventures to wildlife watching, from city tours to taking in beautiful landscapes, there is something to suit every taste at www.visitscotland.com/perfectday