no alt text

Travel bucket list ideas:

Last updated: 11 January, 2023

From world-class whisky to Scots Broth, Aberdeen Angus beef to filled sheep’s stomach, we asked Scotland resident and destination specialist Lucy Gillmore to select the best specialty Scottish foods and flavours you must try while you’re in Scotland.

Table of Contents
Arbroath Smokie
Experience

Arbroath Smokie

Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)

Served warm, wrapped in paper and ready to eat, a smokie is a whole smoked haddock golden brown on one side, the flesh creamy and flaky – so good it was awarded PGI status in 2004.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

Website >
More details >
close up of a traditional Scottish Cranachan dessert in a glass
Experience

Cranachan

Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)

The dessert traditionally served to celebrate the raspberry harvest in June, cranachan is a moreish mix of whipped cream (or crowdie a fresh farmhouse cheese), toasted pinhead oatmeal, whisky, honey and fresh raspberries.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

Website >
More details >
Crowdie
Experience

Crowdie

Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)

A soft creamy fresh cow’s cheese traditionally made by Scottish crofters or farmers and sometimes served topped with toasted oatmeal and black pepper.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

Website >
More details >
Cullen Skink
Experience

Cullen Skink

Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)

The coastal town of Cullen in Morayshire lends its name to this creamy Scottish soup made with ‘finnan haddie‘ (undyed smoked haddock), potatoes and leeks – it’s Scotland’s chowder.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

Website >
More details >
fish and chips in paper
Experience

Fish Supper

Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)

In Scotland fish and chips is known as a fish supper – the fish is usually haddock whereas in England it’s more likely to be cod.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

Website >
More details >
Haggis
Experience

Haggis

Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)

Far tastier than it sounds, haggis is made from ‘sheep’s pluck’, the liver, lungs and heart minced with oatmeal, onion and spices and was traditionally encased sausage-like in a sheep’s stomach although today an artificial casing is used. It’s usually served with neeps (mashed turnip) and tatties (mashed potato).

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

Website >
More details >
Porridge - traditional Scottish foods to try in Scotland
Experience

Porridge

Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)

Hardy Scots will have their porridge with water and a sprinkling of salt, but this traditional warm oatmeal breakfast is a real treat with cream and whisky.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

Website >
More details >
Scotch Broth
Experience

Scotch Broth

Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)

A hearty and wholesome soup made with barley and lamb or mutton and root vegetables such as carrot and turnip and split peas.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

Website >
More details >
Scottish shortbread
Experience

Shortbread

Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)

Two parts butter to one part sugar, this sweet buttery biscuit was invented in Scotland and popularised by Mary Queen of Scots who was partial to a thin, crisp Petticoat’s Tail.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

Website >
More details >
Salmon is caught fresh from Highland rivers and smoked in traditional smokehouses
Experience

Smoked Salmon

Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)

Artisan smokehouses are peppered throughout Scotland producing this traditional succulent delicacy, using locally-caught salmon from fresh Highland streams..

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

Website >
More details >
Tablet
Experience

Tablet

Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)

For those with a sweet tooth look no further, this is the Scottish version of fudge made with condensed milk, butter and sugar and with a hard crumbly texture.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

Website >
More details >
Whisky
Experience

Whisky

Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)

The water of life or in Scots Gaelic ‘uisge beathe’, whisky is an alcoholic drink made from a fermented mash of grains and aged in wooden barrels. A ‘wee dram’ or ‘nip’ is the traditional Scottish nightcap.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

Website >
More details >