Scottish Tourism Guide - Articles
Good Scottish Food
By Derrick Sutherland
“Scottish” and “Scotland” are recognised by chefs and gourmands all over the world as a seal of quality.
Anyone that has eaten fresh shellfish in Europe’s top restaurants will have sampled Scottish seafood; sent by freight nightly from Scotland to the markets of Paris, Madrid and Milan, where it commands top price. Imagine tasting some only minutes out of the water at a Scottish coastal restaurant! Of course, Scottish seafood is also synonymous with cured produce such as smoked salmon and haddock, kippers and salt herring, which are exported the world over.
Scotland also produces meat of the highest quality. Aberdeen Angus beef is renowned for its unique flavour, and farms from Shetland and Orkney all the way to the Borders produce fantastically tasting lamb and mutton, varying in flavour from region to region. Also, from the hills, moors and glens we have wild venison and the undisputed king of game birds: the grouse.
With the welcome return of the Scottish farmers market to our towns and cities, local fare such as conserves, honey, wild berries, traditional baking, and artisan-produced farmhouse cheeses all have a showcase. Furthermore, artisan food shops permeate our towns and cities, with the likes of Heart Buchanan (Glasgow), Valvona & Crolla (Edinburgh), Ian J. Mellis Cheesemonger (Glasgow and Edinburgh), and MacCallums Fishmonger (Glasgow).
One invasion from England that has not been met by Scottish “broadswords” is the “Gastro Pub” which, along with our café culture has succeeded in bringing moderately priced, restaurant standard cooking, to a more relaxed and informal environment. Good examples are the award winning Firebird Café, and Stravaigin, both in Glasgow’s west-end. Scotland also has a growing number of Michelin star, and critically acclaimed restaurants, perhaps the most famous being Andrew Fairlie’s in Gleneagles, and The Three Chimneys on the Isle of Skye. Along with the new non-smoking law, all these factors make dining out in Scotland an altogether more enjoyable experience.
Like the rest of the UK, the Scottish food scene is ever changing, as various cultures continue to contribute to its restaurant cuisine. Scotland Restaurants online will help you select the perfect restaurant to suit your mood: Scottish; French; Italian; Spanish; Indian; Chinese; East Asian; North African; Greek or Pacific Rim. Edinburgh and Glasgow in particular are at the hub of these eclectic influences, so delve in and explore our unique Scottish Restaurant Guide.
The Three Chimneys - on the Isle of Skye
Stravaigan- Glasgow
Firebird Cafe - Glasgow
Heart Buchanan - Glasgow
I J Mellis Cheese - Edinburgh
Valona Crolla - Edinburgh
Cooking Schools/Holidays
Dining out in Scotland is great, but with such superb ingredients and in case you haven’t noticed a food revolution underway, there couldn’t be a better time or place to enjoy a cooking holiday!
On a Scottish cooking holiday you have the opportunity not only to learn some new culinary skills, but also to take in the breathtaking landscape whilst perhaps foraging for wild ingredients, touring a distillery or visiting a local farmer's market. With tuition for all levels from world class chefs, you will be amazed by the progress of your cooking skills!
Elevate your dinner parties by using your new found skills combined with the whole range of Scottish produce.
There are several schools in Scotland where you can hone your skills and pick up great tips from the professionals.
Celebrity chef Nick Nairn has one of the most high tech and modern cooking schools in the UK, set on the banks of the Lake of Menteith with self- catering chalets. The focus is on enjoyment, and with small classes you can be assured of personal attention.
Nairns Cook School
Lake of Menteith,
By Stirling,
Tel: 01877 305683
Nairns Cook School - Lake of Menteith
Another great destination for a cooking holiday is Kinloch Lodge on the Isle of Skye where they have some of the finest seafood in the world!
Lady Claire McDonald demonstrates a selection of seasonal dishes from many of her popular cookbooks, covering lunches, suppers and traditional puddings.
Kinloch Lodge,
Sleat,
Isle of Skye
Tel :01741 833214
Kinloch Lodge - Isle of Skye
“Scottish” and “Scotland” are recognised by chefs and gourmands all over the world as a seal of quality.
Anyone that has eaten fresh shellfish in Europe’s top restaurants will have sampled Scottish seafood; sent by freight nightly from Scotland to the markets of Paris, Madrid and Milan, where it commands top price. Imagine tasting some only minutes out of the water at a Scottish coastal restaurant! Of course, Scottish seafood is also synonymous with cured produce such as smoked salmon and haddock, kippers and salt herring, which are exported the world over.
Scotland also produces meat of the highest quality. Aberdeen Angus beef is renowned for its unique flavour, and farms from Shetland and Orkney all the way to the Borders produce fantastically tasting lamb and mutton, varying in flavour from region to region. Also, from the hills, moors and glens we have wild venison and the undisputed king of game birds: the grouse.
With the welcome return of the Scottish farmers market to our towns and cities, local fare such as conserves, honey, wild berries, traditional baking, and artisan-produced farmhouse cheeses all have a showcase. Furthermore, artisan food shops permeate our towns and cities, with the likes of Heart Buchanan (Glasgow), Valvona & Crolla (Edinburgh), Ian J. Mellis Cheesemonger (Glasgow and Edinburgh), and MacCallums Fishmonger (Glasgow).
One invasion from England that has not been met by Scottish “broadswords” is the “Gastro Pub” which, along with our café culture has succeeded in bringing moderately priced, restaurant standard cooking, to a more relaxed and informal environment. Good examples are the award winning Firebird Café, and Stravaigin, both in Glasgow’s west-end. Scotland also has a growing number of Michelin star, and critically acclaimed restaurants, perhaps the most famous being Andrew Fairlie’s in Gleneagles, and The Three Chimneys on the Isle of Skye. Along with the new non-smoking law, all these factors make dining out in Scotland an altogether more enjoyable experience.
Like the rest of the UK, the Scottish food scene is ever changing, as various cultures continue to contribute to its restaurant cuisine. Scotland Restaurants online will help you select the perfect restaurant to suit your mood: Scottish; French; Italian; Spanish; Indian; Chinese; East Asian; North African; Greek or Pacific Rim. Edinburgh and Glasgow in particular are at the hub of these eclectic influences, so delve in and explore our unique Scottish Restaurant Guide.
The Three Chimneys - on the Isle of Skye
Stravaigan- Glasgow
Firebird Cafe - Glasgow
Heart Buchanan - Glasgow
I J Mellis Cheese - Edinburgh
Valona Crolla - Edinburgh
Cooking Schools/Holidays
Dining out in Scotland is great, but with such superb ingredients and in case you haven’t noticed a food revolution underway, there couldn’t be a better time or place to enjoy a cooking holiday!
On a Scottish cooking holiday you have the opportunity not only to learn some new culinary skills, but also to take in the breathtaking landscape whilst perhaps foraging for wild ingredients, touring a distillery or visiting a local farmer's market. With tuition for all levels from world class chefs, you will be amazed by the progress of your cooking skills!
Elevate your dinner parties by using your new found skills combined with the whole range of Scottish produce.
There are several schools in Scotland where you can hone your skills and pick up great tips from the professionals.
Celebrity chef Nick Nairn has one of the most high tech and modern cooking schools in the UK, set on the banks of the Lake of Menteith with self- catering chalets. The focus is on enjoyment, and with small classes you can be assured of personal attention.
Nairns Cook School
Lake of Menteith,
By Stirling,
Tel: 01877 305683
Nairns Cook School - Lake of Menteith
Another great destination for a cooking holiday is Kinloch Lodge on the Isle of Skye where they have some of the finest seafood in the world!
Lady Claire McDonald demonstrates a selection of seasonal dishes from many of her popular cookbooks, covering lunches, suppers and traditional puddings.
Kinloch Lodge,
Sleat,
Isle of Skye
Tel :01741 833214
Kinloch Lodge - Isle of Skye
