Celebrate Scottish Food & Drink
In 2009 we're celebrating Scotland's larder in a big way, from the fresh seasonal produce that's unique to every region to the packed calander of events and festivals taking place throughout the year.
Select a region and discover the great taste of Scotland's larder for yourself
Highlands & Moray 
Speyside
Orkney
Argyll & Bute
Ayrshire & Arran
Scottish Borders
Edinburgh & Lothians
Aberdeen City & Shire
Shetland
Dumfries & Galloway
Outer Hebrides
Glasgow
Angus
Perthshire
Fife
Highlands & Moray
Highland Feast
September 2009
A showcase of fine food and drink staged in a number of dramatic locations across the beautiful Highlands and Islands. Celebrating the finest food, drink and hospitality the Highlands have to offer, Highland Feast's established recipe is based on three key ingredients: Fresh. Local. Quality.
Visit the Highlands
Moniack Castle Highland Wineries
Tour beautiful Moniack Castle and see how the wines and preserves reflect the natural ingredients found locally. For centuries people have been making wines from wildflowers, fruits and tree sap and this tradition is continued at Moniack. Visit the fermenting room, cellars, and the kitchen where the preserves and sauces are being prepared. Take home something tasty such as Silver Birch Wine or Moniack Sloe Liqueur.
Moniack Castle
Baxters Fochabers
Visit the Baxters Highland Village, near Fochabers, and find a selection of luxury hampers, food and specialist wine and whisky. Learn the Baxters story in the Great Hall, browse the Victorian style Old Shop, or simply enjoy dinner in one of the restaurants.
Baxters
Blas Na Fasaich (Taste of the Wilderness)
July 18 2009
Taste the very best of local Highland produce, from croft, moor, loch and sea. Based at Dornoch Links in Sutherland, there will also be a range of traditional dishes prepared which were at one time enjoyed by Highland ancestors.
Visit the Highlands
Speyside
Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival
May 1-10 2009
Find more than 250 events to tickle your tastebuds at the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival. The event celebrates its 10th anniversary with some exciting new events, including a series of distillery open door days, smuggler trails and whisky/food matching dining opportunities. There's also the Scottish Serenade - a dramatic musical celebration of Speyside's heritage and traditions.
Spirit of Speyside
Malt Whisky Trail
Follow the world-famous waymarked Malt Whisky Trail to seven working distilleries through the beautiful countryside of Speyside. From Benromach to Dallas Dhu, capture the essence of traditional whisky-making; from Glen Moray to Strathisla, home and heart of Chivas Regal; from the Glen Grant distillery to the Speyside Cooperage where you can watch coopers work with incredible skill; from Glenfiddich to The Glenlivet and the Cardhu distillery, follow the whisky trail signposts through Scotland's famous malt whisky region.
Malt Whisky Trail
Orkney
North Ronaldsay Lamb
Rated by top restaurant chefs across the country, try Orkney’s much sought after North Ronaldsay Lamb. This rare breed grazes solely on a diet of seaweed, resulting in succulent meat and a unique flavour.
Visit Orkney
Highland Park Distillery
One of the best loved single malts in the world, any trip to Orkney would not be complete without a visit to the Highland Park distillery. The whisky is finely balanced between Orkney peat and the sweetness of oak casks seasoned with Oloroso sherry.
Highland Park
Orkney Wine Company
Visit the UK’s most northerly winery, where the wines are made with fruit, flowers and vegetables. With no preservatives, it’s worth trying if only for the promise of no hangover! Once opened, the wines will keep for several weeks. Unopened they will keep for several years. For something different try 18-carat, made with Orkney-grown carrots and fortified with Highland Park whisky.
Orkney Wine Company
Argyll & Bute
Spirit of the West
May 16-17 2009
Take part in this exciting whisky festival developed by The Whisky Coast and celebrate the history, culture and rugged scenery that lies behind every single malt. The weekend event in the stunning grounds of Inveraray Castle is a must for whisky lovers. Expect food and drink sampling and cooking demonstrations, with top Scottish chef Nick Nairn among those taking part.
Spirit of the West
The Whisky Coast - Scotland's west coast whisky trail - is a collaboration of 16 whisky distilleries and 20 hotels and restaurants that boast some of Scotland’s finest produce. Explore the trail and discover some of malt whisky's most famous names, not to mention the beautiful scenery
Whisky Coast
Oban Chocolate Factory
Watch a team of chocolatiers prepare a delicious range of truffles and moulded chocolates in the factory from a viewing window in the shop and café. Stop for a hot chocolate or homemade chocolate mud cake in the café which also serves up beautiful views of Oban Bay.
Oban Chocolate Co
Cairndow Farm Shop
Get a taste of Scotland at this Loch Fyne institution, which stocks an impressive range of Scottish goods, from smoked salmon to local cheeses and Highland biscuits. Make an afternoon of it and stop at the Cairndow Oyster Bar & Restaurant for delicious seafood.
Loch Fyne
Henshelwoods Fine Foods
Visit Henshelwoods Fine Foods on the Isle of Bute for award-winning pickles, chutneys, mustards and jams. The products are preserved using natural ingredients and spiced and flavoured using unique recipes. Goodies include Vodka and Orange Onions pickle, X-Rated Mincemeat and Bloody Mary Salsa for Oysters.
Henshelwoods
Ayrshire & Arran
Island Cheese Company
World famous cheese produced in the beautiful surroundings of Brodick Castle on Arran. Try Islander, a Scottish cheddar subtly flavoured with Arran whisky, or Oak Smoked Cheddar, smoked slowly over oak whisky barrel shavings.
Island Cheese Company
The Arran Brewery
For natural beers reflecting the unique ambience of the island, visit The Arran Brewery, set within the shadow of Brodick Castle. Visit the brewery to see the traditional beer-making process and taste samples of some of the finest beers available today.
Arran Brewery
Scottish Borders
Borders Banquet
November 2009
The Borders Banquet is a 10-day feast of events in cafes and restaurants in the some of the region’s most picturesque locations. Enjoy the fresh seasonal produce used in everything from gourmet dining to afternoon tea. This annual culinary feast is enjoyed by visitors and local residents alike.
Borders Banquet
Traquair Brewery
Set in the beautiful countryside of Peebleshire, Traquair House Ale is produced using barley, hops, yeast and pure spring water from an underground spring on the hills of Traquair Estate. This is one of the oldest working breweries in Britain, dating back to the eighteenth century. Make sure you explore the extensive grounds, which includes a 1,500-tree maze.
Traquair House
Edinburgh & Lothians
Cook School by Martin Wishart
A real treat for foodies, book a class at Cook School by Martin Wishart. The Michelin-starred chef promises to teach a blend of contemporary and classical techniques using the very best seasonal produce. The school is based in Leith, just five minutes from Martin’s award-winning restaurant.
Cook School by Martin Wishart
Edinburgh Farmers Market
Take in the sights and smells of this award-winning market, which boasts the stunning backdrop of Edinburgh Castle. Find specialties such as wild boar, venison, ostrich and water buffalo.
Edinburgh Farmers Market
Aberdeen City & Shire
Taste of Grampian
June 6 2009
Visit Thainstone Centre to taste and buy the finest smoked salmon, mouth-watering shortbread, delicious ice-cream, sumptuous prime roast beef, creamy fudge and maybe a dram or two of the best Scottish whiskies from local distilleries. As well as the finest produce the region has to offer, expect cookery demonstrations and celebrity chefs.
Taste of Grampian
Aberdeen Angus Beef
Visit Deeside Activity Park and pick up the finest beef you’re ever likely to taste. The restaurant serves up a variety of delicious dishes - where the essential ingredient is Aberdeen Angus beef, served up with a variety of local produce. Everything in the Farm Shop is sourced from local suppliers, so freshness is guaranteed. Pick up some award-winning Duncan's of Deeside Shortbread & Oatcakes and sample some Macbeth Beer, brewed five miles up the road.
Deeside Activity Park
Shetland
Shetland Fudge Company
A small family business, hand-making fudge and truffles. Using the finest ingredients and local produce wherever possible, this is the only chocolatier and fudgemaker in with all creation handmade on site.
Shetland Fudge
Hand Made Fish Company
Try something special from a huge variety of smoked salmon, including: plum wood, whisky barrel (with a little bit of Shetland peat), Hawthorn, Juniper, Beech, and Olive wood. A delicious oak smoked haddock too! Hand Made Fish is based in Bigton in the south of Shetland.
Visit Shetland
Dumfries & Galloway
Moffat Toffee Shop
A family owned business that has been making this local delicacy to a secret recipe since the early nineteenth century. Find a wide variety of confectionary, but don’t leave before you sample try the original Moffat Toffee.
Moffat Toffee Shop
Cream O Galloway
Enjoy a day out at the visitor centre at this family run organic farm in Castle Douglas. Join a farm tour, spot wildlife, enjoy local and ethical food, indulge in an ice cream sundae and let off steam in the natural adventure playground (built for adults and kids). Choose from around 30 ice creams, frozen yogurts and frozen smoothies made with natural ingredients and organic milk from the farm in South West Scotland. The newest range, Made Fair, is certified Fair Trade.
Cream O Galloway
Castle Douglas
Take a shopping trip to Scotland's only designated Food Town set in the heart of beautiful Dumfries & Galloway. Castle Douglas boasts more than 50 independent shops and champions local produce at all times. This charming town offers a traditional selection of local food emporiums, with local ale produced by the family-run brewery. Castle Douglas Food Town also puts an emphasis on celebrating food throughout the year, with foodie events including food fairs, chef masterclasses, food weekends and craft fairs.
Castle Douglas Food Town
Outer Hebrides
Hebridean Brewery Company
Try a local ale brewed in the Hebrides. Clansman, Islander, Celtic Black and Berserker Export Pale Ale all have their own unique qualities. The latter was based on one of the Lewis Chessman Rooks - depicting a Berserker chewing his shield - discovered at the head of Uig Bay in 1831!
Hebridean Brewing Company
Salar Smokehouse
Delicious, succulent and multi-award winning, Salar Flakey Smoked Salmon is cooked and smoked at the same time, giving a wholly unique taste. Served in restaurants around the world, the Salar Smokehouse is one of Rick Stein’s Food Heroes.
Salar Smokehouse
Glasgow
AG Barr
The producer of Scotland’s ‘other national drink’, AG Barr sells the equivalent of 12 cans of IRN BRU every second. Launched in 1901, the fizzy drink is still made to the original secret recipe - which remains a closely guarded secret. Scots often swear by it as the ultimate hangover cure.
Glengoyne Distillery
Create your very own blended whisky on a tour at Glengoyne Distillery. Within easy reach of Glasgow, the distillery offers a good range of tours from the Wee Tasting Tour to the more in depth Master Blender Session. Don't miss the Slainte Mhath Shop, which is located inside the oldest warehouse on site. Dating back to 1833, the shop retains classic features. The 'Whisky Wall' features 10yr, 12yr Cask Strength, 17yr and 21yr old single Highland Malt Scotch Whiskies as well as limited edition Single Casks and Special Vintages.
Glengoyne Distillery
Queen's Park Farmers Market
Get a real taste of the country at this Glasgow farmers market. More than 25 producers travel from all over Scotland to display gourmet delights in Glasgow's Queen's Park. In addition to the fabulous take-away food there are sumptuous samples to try whilst you soak up the market atmosphere.
Queen's Park Farmers Market
Angus
Arbroath Smokies
Haddock smoked over hardwood until it takes on a beautiful burnished gold colour and a full, smoky flavour. The traditional method is to tie two fish together at the tail end and hang them over a stick which is set over a barrel above a smoking fire. In 2004 the Arbroath Smokie earned protected status from the European Commission, joining the likes of Champagne and Parma Ham. So follow your nose until you find a smokehouse and enjoy the real deal!
Iain R Spink's - Original Smokies from Arbroath
Perthshire
Cairn O’Mohr Fruit Wines
Scottish fruit Wines made from the freshest local ingredients picked from the green and fertile countryside of Perthshire. Made with everything from raspberries and brambles to elderflowers and oak leaves. Visit the winery on May 31 and take part in the local Cairn o Mohr 'international bottle smash'!
Cairn O Mhor
Moulin Inn & Brewery
This friendly and popular pub in Pitlochry has been going strong for more than three centuries and features many original features. Voted Scottish Pub of the Year twice, the Moulin Inn serves up highly rated ales created in its own brewhouse. While the locals are more than happy to point out local attractions, it’s worth a visit for the beer alone.
Moulin Inn
Gordon & Durward
Visit this quaint old style sweet shop in Crieff for an authentic taste of Scotland. Home to the famous sugar mice (the shop makes around 3,000 each week), Gordon & Durward makes sweets using the very best ingredients and, more importantly, traditional Copper Boilers. For delicious confectionary, the Butter Tablet, Strathearn Fudge and Macaroons come highly recommended.
Gordon & Durward
Fife
Lobster Hut
For an authentic seafood experience, try fresh lobster or crab, cooked while you wait at The Lobster Hut, Crail.
Visit Fife
St Andrews Farmhouse Cheese Company
Visit St Andrews farmhouse Cheese Company where you can see the cheese being made for yourself from a special viewing gallery. After your 'cheese experience' relax in the Butterpat Coffee Shop and enjoy an Anster cheese scone. The cheese takes its name from the Fife fishing village of Anstruther, which the farm looks onto.
St Andrews Farmhouse
Big Tent Festival
July 25-26 2009
Be part of Scotland’s biggest eco festival, held in the beautiful surroundings of Falkland. Promising a real feast in 2009, the popular Food Village will bring together the best local and organic produce from Fife and beyond.
Big Tent 2009