01-29-2009, 07:08 PM
Scotland’s Food and Drink Event Diary 2009
From Dumfries and Galloway in the south to Shetland in the north, there is always something going on for the food-loving visitor to Scotland. Just some of these food festivals are listed below.
April
APPETITE FOR AYRSHIRE & ARRAN
Throughout April
Throughout Ayrshire & Arran
Appetite for Ayrshire & Arran takes place in April and is designed to show off the wealth of dining and fine food and drink opportunities that Ayrshire & Arran has to offer. Combining showcase events with special offers (including a tempting variety of fixed-price menus, exceptional food and drink events, retail opportunities and 'dine & duvet' offers), the project will demonstrate that Ayrshire & Arran is the perfect destination for enjoying fabulous local food and drink.
Website: ayrshire-arran.com.
CELTIC FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL
26th April, 11am – 4pm
Scottish Crannog Centre, Kenmore, Perthshire
Going back to the Iron Age at the Scottish Crannog Centre needn’t mean mouldy old grub. The aroma of Celtic spit-roast at this food and drink festival would be enough to make anyone’s mouth water. The festival’s prehistoric cooking demonstrations include not just the spit roast, but pit cooking, bread baking and other ancient techniques, local smoked meats, dairy products and tasty herb and meat dishes all washed down with authentic beverages.
Website: crannog.co.uk
PAISLEY BEER FESTIVAL
April/May (TBC)
Paisley Town Hall, Paisley
The Paisley Beer Festival gives visitors the chance to taste what local breweries have to offer. The annual event attracts thousands keen to sample over 130 real cask conditioned ales and ciders, not to mention an array of foreign beers.
The four-day festival, held at Paisley’s Town Hall, will feature the acclaimed local Kelburn Brewing Company, which recently won the ‘Best Bitter in Scotland’ award for its Goldihops ale.
The brewers will pit their finest ales against the competition in a bid for the gold, silver and bronze medals awarded by a judging panel.
Website: paisleybeerfestival.org.uk
May
THE SPIRIT OF SPEYSIDE WHISKY FESTIVAL
May 1st – 10th
All across Speyside, Aberdeenshire
Celebrate whisky, music, food and fun at the biggest ever Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival at the opening event of Homecoming Scotland’s Whisky Month. Whisky lovers can look forward to a 10-day extravaganza across stunning Speyside, a region which produces some of the most famous malts in the world.
The special Homecoming Scotland 2009 programme will mark the event's 10th anniversary, bringing some exciting new events, including a series of distillery open door days, smugglers’ trails and whisky/food matching dining opportunities.
There is also the Scottish Serenade - a dramatic musical celebration of Speyside's heritage and traditions. And don't forget to take in the way-marked Malt Whisky Trail. With only three out of the top 10 best selling malts produced outside Speyside, this is a festival not to be missed!
Website: spiritofspeyside.com
A TASTE OF DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY
Sunday 3rd & Monday 4th May
The World Famous Old Blacksmith’s Shop Centre, Gretna Green
Savour the Flavours of Dumfries & Galloway at this tasty event celebrating Dumfries & Galloway’s food and drink. There will be plenty of delicious goodies for visitors to sample, enjoy and buy as food and drink producers from across Scotland’s south west showcase their treats, share their passions and tell the story of their food and drink at this friendly event.
Website: savourtheflavours.co.uk
LOCH FYNE FOOD FAIR
9th – 10th May (11am – 6pm)
Next to the Loch Fyne Oyster Bar, Clachan, Cairndow, Highlands.
A celebration of local food with a farmers’ market and food stalls including producers such as Winston Churchill Venison, Isabella’s Preserves, Gillies Fine Foods and Fyne Organics. Drinks are supplied by Fyne Ales plus specially selected wines from Europe and New Zealand.
Stalls open 11am - 6pm. Free admission during the day. No tickets required. (parking £3 per vehicle).
Website: lochfyne.com
SPIRIT OF THE WEST
16th – 17th May Inveraray Castle, Inveraray, Argyll, PA32 8XF
The Whisky Coast, Scotland’s west coast whisky trail has announced a spectacular weekend event on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 May 2009 at Inveraray Castle as part of Homecoming Scotland’s Whisky Month in May. The ticketed two day event will be a celebration of Scotland’s west coast whisky and the rich culture and dramatic scenery in which it is created.
Spirit of the West is inspired by the historic community cultures, tales, mysteries and theatrical scenery that lie behind every single malt. Whisky tasting, food sampling and cookery demonstrations will run alongside historical trails, fashion shows, music, arts and crafts, golfing activities and a ceilidh on Saturday night.
Running from Arran to Skye and covering both mainland locations and islands, The Whisky Coast is a collaboration of 16 whisky distilleries, 20 hotels, restaurants that boast some of Scotland’s finest produce and picturesque golf courses.
Website: spiritofthewest.co.uk
TRAQUAIR MEDIEVAL FAYRE
May (TBC) Traquair House
Innerleithen, Peebleshire
Step back in time to see Traquair House as it would have been in medieval times. Spectacular battle re-enactments in the avenue, Living History displays in the house and grounds as well as falconry, jesters, early music and a delicious spit roast washed down with Fayre Ale brewed exclusively for the weekend by the original 18th century brewery at the house.
Website: traquair.co.uk
ISLAY MALT AND MUSIC FESTIVAL
23rd – 31st May Various venues, Islay
Feis Ile – the Islay Festival of Malt and Music – was founded by the local people of Islay in 1986 to celebrate the heritage and culture of Isle of Islay.
Since 2000 Feis Ile has been run in conjunction with the distilleries of Islay and Jura and Port Ellen Maltings. Each distillery has its own open day, putting on special events. Islay has a wealth of musical talent which is very much in evidence at the ceilidhs, while mainland artists are also brought to the island for the festival week.
Website: islayfestival.org
TASTE OF EDINBURGH
28th – 31st May
The Meadows, Edinburgh
The Taste of Edinburgh festival is an upmarket food and drink festival set in the beautiful outdoor surroundings of The Meadows. A celebration of Scottish food and drink, Taste of Edinburgh gives food lovers the chance to enjoy the best that Scottish restaurants, chefs, and food and drink producers have to offer. Festival-goers can sample dishes from 20 of Edinburgh’s top restaurants and enjoy food from the rising star chefs in Scotland, as well as Michelin-starred Martin Wishart and Andrew Fairlie.
Learn all the little tricks of the trade at the Chef’s Theatre, and find out more about picking a great complementary wine at the Wine Experience.
You’ll find unrivalled opportunities to get up close and personal with the chefs, and to enjoy plentiful tastings and demonstrations. So don’t miss this chance to enjoy a taste of the high life.
Website: channel4.com
June
TASTE OF GRAMPIAN
6th June Thainstone Centre, Inverurie
This one-day food and drink festival is a great day out for all the family. Visitors can discover and sample the wide range of high quality food and drink products from Grampian in the north east of Scotland. Local producers invite you to taste and buy the finest smoked salmon, mouth-watering shortbread, delicious ice-cream, sumptuous prime roast beef, creamy fudge and maybe a dram or two of the best Scottish whiskies from local distilleries and much more.
The festival programme also includes music, children's entertainment, arts and crafts, cookery competitions and demonstrations from local and celebrity chefs.
Website: tasteofgrampian.co.uk
ROYAL HIGHLAND SHOW
25th – 28th June The Highland Showgrounds, Ingliston, Edinburgh
The Royal Highland Show 2009 is due to take place at the Ingliston Showground, Edinburgh, from 25-28 June as part of the nationwide Homecoming Scotland 2009 celebrations. Fabulous food and drink are one of the highlights of the show attracting foodies from near and far. Over 100 Scottish food and drink exhibitors will attend alongside gourmet suppliers from across the UK. There are also cookery demonstrations and produce competitions with plenty of opportunities to sample along the way.
Website: royalhighlandshow.org
FLAVOUR OF SHETLAND
June (TBC) Victoria Pier
Lerwick
Flavour of Shetland is a major outdoor event showcasing the very best food, drink, music, craft and culture. Last year's cookery demonstrations were provided by Chairman of the Master Chefs of Great Britain George McIvor and fellow Master Chef Colin Bussey. The cookery demonstrations showcasing the range and quality of the islands’ produce, attract huge crowds.
The event will be buzzing with music performances, craft stalls and demonstrations, storytelling, children's activities plus a summer Up Helly Aa Viking parade.
Website: flavourofshetland.com
From Dumfries and Galloway in the south to Shetland in the north, there is always something going on for the food-loving visitor to Scotland. Just some of these food festivals are listed below.
April
APPETITE FOR AYRSHIRE & ARRAN
Throughout April
Throughout Ayrshire & Arran
Appetite for Ayrshire & Arran takes place in April and is designed to show off the wealth of dining and fine food and drink opportunities that Ayrshire & Arran has to offer. Combining showcase events with special offers (including a tempting variety of fixed-price menus, exceptional food and drink events, retail opportunities and 'dine & duvet' offers), the project will demonstrate that Ayrshire & Arran is the perfect destination for enjoying fabulous local food and drink.
Website: ayrshire-arran.com.
CELTIC FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL
26th April, 11am – 4pm
Scottish Crannog Centre, Kenmore, Perthshire
Going back to the Iron Age at the Scottish Crannog Centre needn’t mean mouldy old grub. The aroma of Celtic spit-roast at this food and drink festival would be enough to make anyone’s mouth water. The festival’s prehistoric cooking demonstrations include not just the spit roast, but pit cooking, bread baking and other ancient techniques, local smoked meats, dairy products and tasty herb and meat dishes all washed down with authentic beverages.
Website: crannog.co.uk
PAISLEY BEER FESTIVAL
April/May (TBC)
Paisley Town Hall, Paisley
The Paisley Beer Festival gives visitors the chance to taste what local breweries have to offer. The annual event attracts thousands keen to sample over 130 real cask conditioned ales and ciders, not to mention an array of foreign beers.
The four-day festival, held at Paisley’s Town Hall, will feature the acclaimed local Kelburn Brewing Company, which recently won the ‘Best Bitter in Scotland’ award for its Goldihops ale.
The brewers will pit their finest ales against the competition in a bid for the gold, silver and bronze medals awarded by a judging panel.
Website: paisleybeerfestival.org.uk
May
THE SPIRIT OF SPEYSIDE WHISKY FESTIVAL
May 1st – 10th
All across Speyside, Aberdeenshire
Celebrate whisky, music, food and fun at the biggest ever Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival at the opening event of Homecoming Scotland’s Whisky Month. Whisky lovers can look forward to a 10-day extravaganza across stunning Speyside, a region which produces some of the most famous malts in the world.
The special Homecoming Scotland 2009 programme will mark the event's 10th anniversary, bringing some exciting new events, including a series of distillery open door days, smugglers’ trails and whisky/food matching dining opportunities.
There is also the Scottish Serenade - a dramatic musical celebration of Speyside's heritage and traditions. And don't forget to take in the way-marked Malt Whisky Trail. With only three out of the top 10 best selling malts produced outside Speyside, this is a festival not to be missed!
Website: spiritofspeyside.com
A TASTE OF DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY
Sunday 3rd & Monday 4th May
The World Famous Old Blacksmith’s Shop Centre, Gretna Green
Savour the Flavours of Dumfries & Galloway at this tasty event celebrating Dumfries & Galloway’s food and drink. There will be plenty of delicious goodies for visitors to sample, enjoy and buy as food and drink producers from across Scotland’s south west showcase their treats, share their passions and tell the story of their food and drink at this friendly event.
Website: savourtheflavours.co.uk
LOCH FYNE FOOD FAIR
9th – 10th May (11am – 6pm)
Next to the Loch Fyne Oyster Bar, Clachan, Cairndow, Highlands.
A celebration of local food with a farmers’ market and food stalls including producers such as Winston Churchill Venison, Isabella’s Preserves, Gillies Fine Foods and Fyne Organics. Drinks are supplied by Fyne Ales plus specially selected wines from Europe and New Zealand.
Stalls open 11am - 6pm. Free admission during the day. No tickets required. (parking £3 per vehicle).
Website: lochfyne.com
SPIRIT OF THE WEST
16th – 17th May Inveraray Castle, Inveraray, Argyll, PA32 8XF
The Whisky Coast, Scotland’s west coast whisky trail has announced a spectacular weekend event on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 May 2009 at Inveraray Castle as part of Homecoming Scotland’s Whisky Month in May. The ticketed two day event will be a celebration of Scotland’s west coast whisky and the rich culture and dramatic scenery in which it is created.
Spirit of the West is inspired by the historic community cultures, tales, mysteries and theatrical scenery that lie behind every single malt. Whisky tasting, food sampling and cookery demonstrations will run alongside historical trails, fashion shows, music, arts and crafts, golfing activities and a ceilidh on Saturday night.
Running from Arran to Skye and covering both mainland locations and islands, The Whisky Coast is a collaboration of 16 whisky distilleries, 20 hotels, restaurants that boast some of Scotland’s finest produce and picturesque golf courses.
Website: spiritofthewest.co.uk
TRAQUAIR MEDIEVAL FAYRE
May (TBC) Traquair House
Innerleithen, Peebleshire
Step back in time to see Traquair House as it would have been in medieval times. Spectacular battle re-enactments in the avenue, Living History displays in the house and grounds as well as falconry, jesters, early music and a delicious spit roast washed down with Fayre Ale brewed exclusively for the weekend by the original 18th century brewery at the house.
Website: traquair.co.uk
ISLAY MALT AND MUSIC FESTIVAL
23rd – 31st May Various venues, Islay
Feis Ile – the Islay Festival of Malt and Music – was founded by the local people of Islay in 1986 to celebrate the heritage and culture of Isle of Islay.
Since 2000 Feis Ile has been run in conjunction with the distilleries of Islay and Jura and Port Ellen Maltings. Each distillery has its own open day, putting on special events. Islay has a wealth of musical talent which is very much in evidence at the ceilidhs, while mainland artists are also brought to the island for the festival week.
Website: islayfestival.org
TASTE OF EDINBURGH
28th – 31st May
The Meadows, Edinburgh
The Taste of Edinburgh festival is an upmarket food and drink festival set in the beautiful outdoor surroundings of The Meadows. A celebration of Scottish food and drink, Taste of Edinburgh gives food lovers the chance to enjoy the best that Scottish restaurants, chefs, and food and drink producers have to offer. Festival-goers can sample dishes from 20 of Edinburgh’s top restaurants and enjoy food from the rising star chefs in Scotland, as well as Michelin-starred Martin Wishart and Andrew Fairlie.
Learn all the little tricks of the trade at the Chef’s Theatre, and find out more about picking a great complementary wine at the Wine Experience.
You’ll find unrivalled opportunities to get up close and personal with the chefs, and to enjoy plentiful tastings and demonstrations. So don’t miss this chance to enjoy a taste of the high life.
Website: channel4.com
June
TASTE OF GRAMPIAN
6th June Thainstone Centre, Inverurie
This one-day food and drink festival is a great day out for all the family. Visitors can discover and sample the wide range of high quality food and drink products from Grampian in the north east of Scotland. Local producers invite you to taste and buy the finest smoked salmon, mouth-watering shortbread, delicious ice-cream, sumptuous prime roast beef, creamy fudge and maybe a dram or two of the best Scottish whiskies from local distilleries and much more.
The festival programme also includes music, children's entertainment, arts and crafts, cookery competitions and demonstrations from local and celebrity chefs.
Website: tasteofgrampian.co.uk
ROYAL HIGHLAND SHOW
25th – 28th June The Highland Showgrounds, Ingliston, Edinburgh
The Royal Highland Show 2009 is due to take place at the Ingliston Showground, Edinburgh, from 25-28 June as part of the nationwide Homecoming Scotland 2009 celebrations. Fabulous food and drink are one of the highlights of the show attracting foodies from near and far. Over 100 Scottish food and drink exhibitors will attend alongside gourmet suppliers from across the UK. There are also cookery demonstrations and produce competitions with plenty of opportunities to sample along the way.
Website: royalhighlandshow.org
FLAVOUR OF SHETLAND
June (TBC) Victoria Pier
Lerwick
Flavour of Shetland is a major outdoor event showcasing the very best food, drink, music, craft and culture. Last year's cookery demonstrations were provided by Chairman of the Master Chefs of Great Britain George McIvor and fellow Master Chef Colin Bussey. The cookery demonstrations showcasing the range and quality of the islands’ produce, attract huge crowds.
The event will be buzzing with music performances, craft stalls and demonstrations, storytelling, children's activities plus a summer Up Helly Aa Viking parade.
Website: flavourofshetland.com