Planning a trip to Scotland and want to enjoy Scottish food and drink? This blog was written with you in mind. After living in Scotland for a year, I’ve compiled this list of recommendations for visitors of the traditional Scottish foods and drinks.
Scottish food you have to try:
Haggis, Neeps & Tatties
When in Scotland you have to try Haggis. It’s a uniquely Scottish dish that isn’t available in most other countries. Some people are hesitant to try it because they don’t know what’s in Haggis. Haggis is a blend of various sheep organs with a meatloaf-like consistency. I recommend ordering it with neeps(yellow turnips or rutabaga) and tatties(potatoes). You can find haggis on the menu in most Scottish pubs.
Scottish Breakfast
Scottish Breakfasts are an absolute must. Most bed and breakfasts or locally-owned hotels serve complimentary Scottish breakfasts. Scottish Breakfasts typically consist of eggs, toast, beans, grilled tomatoes, fried mushrooms, Lorne sausage, potato hash(hash browns), black pudding, tattie(potato) scones, and Scottish breakfast tea.
Rowie
This traditional pastry is originally from Aberdeen, Scotland. The Rowie (or Buttery) is a flaky pastry with plenty of butter. It’s similar to a croissant but denser. It was originally made to last on long fishing trips and to help sustain the fisherman’s energy. These are available in Aberdeen, Glasgow, and other bakeries along the northeast coast of Scotland.
Sausage Rolls
Sausage rolls in Scotland are the perfect breakfast or light lunch. This tasty treat is a sausage wrapped in flaky pastry. The sausage is typically a Lorne sausage which is a traditional food in Scotland. These are available at cafes, food stands, and grocery stores. They make great grab-and-go snacks.
Millionaire Shortbread
Personally, this is my favorite treat. This dessert starts with a freshly baked shortbread base, has a layer of soft caramel, and then is topped off with a milk chocolate layer. Millionaire shortbread is the perfect companion to a morning coffee or latte.
Scottish Tablet
Scottish Tablet is a must-try for anyone visiting Scotland. It’s a candy-like, sugary, melt-in-your-mouth type of treat. It’s similar to fudge in sweetness but not as soft as fudge. Scottish Tablet is hard to describe but absolutely heavenly.
What to Drink in Scotland:
Irn-Bru
Scotland is one of the few countries worldwide where coke isn’t the number one soft drink. Scotland’s top soft drink is Irn-Bru. This unique soda is bright orange but doesn’t taste like an orange. It’s very sugary and reminds me of medicine I took as a kid but Scots can’t seem to get enough of it!
Whisky
If you’re looking to find the best whisky, Speyside is the region in Scotland most famously known for it’s whisky production. There are many whisky producers in Scotland and the best way to sample various whiskies is to take distillery tours. If you’re not planning your trip with whisky in mind, but still want to take in the experience of drinking whisky in Scotland, whisky is available at every bar.
If you are planning a trip to Scotland, you may also want to check out my article on Edinburgh, Scotland here: https://creativeandambitious.com/discover-edinburgh/
