Building up an Appetite
Autumn is a great time to be in Scotland. The landscape is transformed into shades of red, golden and rust as the new season begins. Getting out and about is the best way to experience Scotland's seasonal offerings over September and October - and forgaing has become a popular way to enjoy wild food.
Berries are plentiful across Scotland at this time of year, while mushrooms also come into their own, so take on the challenge and enjoy nature's bounty!
Why not sign up to Eatscotland and receive eight fantastic autumnal recipes from Shirley Spears at the 3 Chimneys on Skye?
Berries
Berries have recently reached superfood status in that they are thought to protect against illnesses such as cancer. Environmental concerns regarding food miles also means that Scottish berries are becoming increasingly sought after. The main berry growing areas in Scotland are in Tayside, particularly in the fertile Strathmore valley, but also in Grampian, the Highlands, Arran, Ayrshire and the Borders.
Pick Your Own schemes offer a great opportunity to get out and about to source the freshest fruit.
Mushrooms
The white Agaricus bisporus mushroom is by far the most common variety of fungi. It is picked at four stages of its growing cycle: button, closed cup, open cup and large flat. Today however, many more exotic species are farmed in Scotland, with many of them to be found at farmers' markets. These include: Oyster mushrooms - this delicate variety is available in brown, grey, pink and yellow. Shiitake mushrooms - these have dark brown caps and white gills. Blewit mushrooms - with blue tinted stalks and white caps. Enoki - crisp white mushrooms with long thin stems and tiny white caps.
Make sure you follow Scotland's Wild Mushroom Code. You should always be careful that you know that the mushrooms you’re picking are safe to eat. For tips on identifying mushrooms, visit Wild Mushrooms Online. If you would like to go fungi foraging, we advise you take part in one of the many trips accompanied by an expert.
Autumn Events
The foodie calendar is bursting with events and festivals over the autumn months. From Glasgow's Organic Food Festival and the Aberfoyle Mushroom Festival to the Golden Spurtle Porridge Making Championship and Islay's Whisky Galore. Check out what's on in September and October - there's something for everyone!
Survival Holidays & Foraging
To make the most of Scotland in autumn why not take a survival holiday or foraging course? Learn bushcraft skills, forage for mushrooms and berries and get tips on cookery and fishing techniques.
Find some of the best operators listed below:
Outdoor Extreme - based in South West Scotland, this company runs courses in bushcraft, outdoor survival and even includes courses on the Hebridean island of Taransay. Friendly, relaxed courses (not boot camps!).
Forage Rangers - practical foraging hints to help you easily find and safely identify the best of the wild foods that grow all round Britain.
Galvelmore House - this B&B in rural Perthshire offers an expert-led mushroom foraging course in September.
Wild Wood Bushcraft - offers bushcraft courses combined with canoe expeditions on the West coast of Scotland.
Bushcraft Adventures - based in the Highlands of Scotland in the Cairngorms national park (one of Europe’s largest national parks and one of Europe’s last wildernesses), this company offers a range of survival and bushcraft courses including campcraft & cookery; roots skills course and tracking courses.
Islay Bushcraft - a 5 star company on the island of Islay. This offers the opportunity to sleep in caves combined with bushcraft skills as well as bushcraft fishing and bushcraft biking.
Backwood Survival - this course offers a great range of courses throughout Scotland including learning the basics of survival (shelter, food, fire, water), constructing canoes and other tools, wild foods and even tanning courses (tanning skins that is, rather than sunbathing!).
Ardeonaig Hotel - set in a fourteen acre Perthshire estate with views of Loch Tay, the Ardeonaig boasts a fruit orchard and grows wild berries. The hotel is hosting a wild mushroom foraging course, a local game weekend, and a home smoking course - which offers tips on how to set up, build and smoke products such as cheese and shellfish.
Guiding On Skye - George Yeomans - mountain leading and bushcraft/survival instruction - is built upon over thirty years of mountaineering and wildlife watching experience in the United Kingdom and abroad. Since 1995 he has concentrated on the Cuillin Mountains on the Isle of Skye which has enabled this local Cuillin Munro specialist to build up an intimate knowledge of these difficult Scottish Munros and classic scrambling routes. Couple this with a keen interest in natural history and his knowledge and skills as a qualified Bushcraft & Survival Instructor and we hope to expand and enhance your mountain/island days.
Monachyle Mhor Hotel - Gourmet Mushroom Dinner(September 29) - Tom Lewis will be preparing a special five course dinner featuring wild mushrooms picked in the Braes of Balquhidder. Booking essential. Email monachyle@mhor.net and quote Gourmet Mushroom Dinner or call 01877 384 622.
Ardanaiseig Hotel - one of Scotland's most exclusive and relaxing retreats. Autumn is a spectacular time to visit as the hotel boasts its own historic Victorian gardens, overflowing with colourful, unusual and valuable trees and is bursting with over 27 varieties of wild mushrooms.
For the first time ever, Ardanaiseig is offering guests the chance to forage in the woods for wild mushrooms, and then enjoy their loot as award winning Chef de Cuisine, Gary Goldie, incorporates the fresh mushrooms into his renowned five-course evening meal.
During October, Ardanaiseig is offering three nights for the price of two. Packages range from £320 - £447 for three nights dinner, bed and breakfast, Sunday through to Thursday. This offer is based on two adults sharing a double or twin bedded room when dinner is booked for three nights.
For more information on seasonal food in Scotland visit Scottish Food in Season.