The biggest food and drink exports from Scotland are whisky, seafood and salmon whilst £10 million worth of beef is exported each year and is the single most important sector of Scottish agriculture, worth around £400 million a year. Scotland's international reputation as 'A Land of Food and Drink' is increasing and this is no surprise based on the quality of produce that the mountains and lochs produce, many of which can be seen when walking the Highlands.
Farmers Markets
Farmers Markets have become a regular feature in Scottish towns and cities as the farmers can cut out the middle man meaning cheaper prices for the consumer and more profit for them. These are well worth checking out for some good quality local produce, especially if you are self-catering in serviced apartments for your holiday.
Eating Out
The wide variety of places to eat out in Scotland means there is a choice to suite all tastes, with particular choice found in the six cities, from Michelin stars restaurants to take-aways and fish & chip shops.
Scotland offers a rich and varied dining experience where you can enjoy all types of cuisine from traditional Scottish dishes such as the national dish Haggis to fusion and modern Scottish cuisine and food from more exotic shores such as Thailand and India.
Chefs have access to the best quality local ingredients from both land and sea with Scottish beef, lamb, game, dairy produce, fruit and vegetables considered to be among the best in the world.
Haggis
Scotland's national food is haggis - a dish made using sheep's 'pluck' (heart, liver and lungs), minced with onion, oatmeal, suet, spices, and salt, mixed with stock. It tastes a lot better than it sounds! Modern haggis is prepared in a casing rather than the animal's stomach as it is traditionally prepared, and vegetarian haggis is available. Haggis is usually served with swede and potatoes.
Scotch Whisky
Scotch Whisky is the considered to be the national drink and is of very high quality - distilled from a barley liquor and flavoured with peat tainted water. There are two types of whisky: Malt Whisky, the better quality and more expensive of a single distillery and blended whisky which is made from several distilleries and more popular.
Smoked Kippers
Fish such as smoked kippers are also popular in Scotland and a good souvenir. Read our shopping in Scotland section for more souvenir ideas.