The Scottish Highlands and Islands’ wonderful natural resources produce some of the finest food and drink in the world. Oats and barley, organic game and meat, fresh spring water and abundant seafood all go into creating delicious Scottish dishes like porridge, haggis, Bannocks, buns and all manner of jams and jellies or ‘jeellies’.
Modern Scottish food is also about fresh new flavours and presenting the traditional with an exciting new twist. Don’t be surprised to see dishes like Arbroath smokie cheddar cheese soufflé or cock-a-leekie kebab on menus in the Highlands.
Berry Good Vodka
We searched the Highlands to bring you a list of some of the best festivals, products, cafes and restaurants to look out for on your travels. We start off with great taste 2013 winner Berry Good Vodka. Produced from high quality Scottish ingredients, this fruity spirit is the brainchild of Jill Brown. From their Caithness headquarters, the Berry Good team use traditional infusion methods to get the best from the fruit from Wester Hardmuir Fruit Farm. Look out for their products in farm shops and bottle shops or you can order online.
Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival
We couldn’t write about the best of the Highland’s food and drink without mentioning whisky. If you are dying to discover the delights of a dram or have already developed a mature palate then the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival is a must for the to-do list.
The festival runs from Thursday 1st to Monday 5th of May 2014 and includes tastings and activities across all 50+ distilleries in the region. There is a ‘Whisky and Wildlife Walk’ up Ben Rinnes, a ‘Wild about Scotland’ event at the Scottish Dolphin Centre and guided Landover or amphibious Argocat tours of the ‘Speyside Smugglers Trail’.
The Real Food Café
The ever popular Real Food Café can be found on the main A82 about half-way between Glasgow and Fort William. National Fish and Chip Shop 2013 winner, the Real Food Café, not only serves fantastic seafood but has a home bakery where you can indulge in everything from a classic Scottish scone to flapjacks and millionaire shortbread. They also cater for vegetarians and special dietary requirements.
Hebridean Sea Salt
What would life be without flavour? If you love seasoning your food with the purest ingredients then you should certainly seek out some Hebridean sea salt on your travels. Created by Natalie Crayton in 2011 the business is the first and only sea salt company in Scotland. The water comes from the stunning sea loch Loch Erisort on the east coast of Lewis and has Grade ‘A’ water classification. As well as the classic original, new variations flavoured with peat smoke and seaweed are coming soon. Look out for Natalie’s Hebridean Sea Salt in food shops across Scotland.
Kinloch Lodge
Visitors to the Isle of Skye looking for a culinary adventure should head for the charming Kinloch Lodge. The lodge is home to Claire and Godfrey Macdonald and is a hotel, restaurant and cookery school. Head chef Marcello Tully is the proud owner of three AA rosettes, an Eat Scotland Gold Award and is featured in the Good Food Guide. But the real draw for foodies must be the wonderful Kinloch Lodge cookery classes, delivered by best-selling food writer Claire Macdonald. A whole new series of classes will be held on the weekends of 14th March and 11th April 2014. Don’t miss out on your place.
Highland Accommodation at the Thistle Inverness
Located in the Capital of the Highlands, the Thistle Hotel Inverness is the perfect base for exploring the region. You can relax in comfortable surroundings and enjoy fine Scottish dining in the hotel’s Cromarty Restaurant. The restaurant also has a wide selection of New World and classic wines on offer to compliment your menu choices.
What’s your favourite Scottish dish?
