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Food and Drink

The famous Arran Cheeseboard. (Credit: VisitScotland/ Paul Tomkins)
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The Highlands and Islands serve up a truly mouth-watering array of food and drink experiences. From tastings of local specialities to distillery and brewery tours, it is a land of sensory sensations.

Whether the desire is for fresh seafood or artisan gins, strong cheeses or sweet conserves, wild mushrooms or Scotch lamb, there is something here to satisfy all tastes and appetites. For some, the joy might be in savoury Stornoway black pudding or haggis served for breakfast, while for others it may be the contemporary cuisine served with a traditional twist in one of the many restaurants setting new standards for food and drink experiences in the Highlands and Islands.

EXPLORE THE SPIRIT OF FOOD AND DRINK IN THE HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS

Food Festival at Cawdor Castle, Nairn (Credit: VisitScotland/Paul Tomkins)
North Uist, Outer Hebrides (Credit: Airborne Lens)
Ardnahoe Distillery, Argyll and the Isles (Credit: VisitScotland/Kenny Lam)
Crinan, Argyll and the Isles (Credit: Airborne Lens)
Deerness Distillery, Orkney (Credit: Airborne Lens)

Itineraries

A Toast to Islay

Raise a glass to Islay - the heart of Hebridean whisky.

Discovering 'Arran Water'

Circumnavigate Arran while exploring the history of illicit distilling and whisky smuggling in this illustrated trail from the COAST project.

Legends of Lochaber

Explore icons of Lochaber through the eyes of the people who live, work and visit here.

Shrimply the Best

Savour the flavours of the Uists on this self-guided itinerary.

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Locations

Ardbeg Distillery Experience the globally renowned flavours of Ardbeg. Add Ardbeg Distillery to an itinerary
Ardnahoe Distillery Explore the Whisky Isle's newest name in the world of whisky distilling. Add Ardnahoe Distillery to an itinerary
Arran Botanical Drinks Unwind and savour incredible flavours at Scotland's only cocktail beach bar Add Arran Botanical Drinks to an itinerary
Ben Nevis Distillery Savour the flavours of one of Scotland's oldest licensed distilleries. Add Ben Nevis Distillery to an itinerary
Bowmore Distillery Discover the secrets of Islay's oldest whisky distillery. Add Bowmore Distillery to an itinerary
Bruichladdich Distillery Discover a game changer of Islay's whisky scene. Add Bruichladdich Distillery to an itinerary
Bunnahabhain Distillery Enjoy the calmness of Bunnahabhain Bay and a dram at Islay's most remote distillery. Add Bunnahabhain Distillery to an itinerary
Café Kisimul Experience new taste sensations where Indian cuisine meets local Hebridean produce. Add Café Kisimul to an itinerary
Caol Ila Distillery Discover the story of Islay's largest whisky distillery. Add Caol Ila Distillery to an itinerary
Darach Social Croft and Croft Produce Unwind and re-connect to nature with a fresh approach to social crofting Add Darach Social Croft and Croft Produce to an itinerary
Kilchoman Distillery Explore Islay's only single-farm, single-malt distillery. Add Kilchoman Distillery to an itinerary
Lagavulin Distillery, white buildings with grey roofs, as seen as from the air
Lagavulin Distillery Savour the unique flavours of Lagavulin. Add Lagavulin Distillery to an itinerary
Lagg Whisky Distillery Discover the story of one of the Isle of Arran's most iconic malts. Add Lagg Whisky Distillery to an itinerary
Laphroaig Distillery Experience a legend of the Whisky Isle. Add Laphroaig Distillery to an itinerary
Lochcranza Distillery Experience the incredible flavours of Arran whisky. Add Lochcranza Distillery to an itinerary
Namara Seafood Café Explore the taste sensations of this locally adored Kallin seafood spot. Add Namara Seafood Café to an itinerary
Three ginger Highland cows sit in a field of small yellow flowers.
Redburn Café & Gifts Enjoy coffee, cake and cracking local produce in Glen Moriston. Add Redburn Café & Gifts to an itinerary
The Dunes Cabin Sample an array of tasty fresh seafood and home-baked goods beside the still waters of Hougharry Bay. Add The Dunes Cabin to an itinerary
The Stepping Stone A well-established, family run restaurant in the heart of Balivanich. Add The Stepping Stone to an itinerary

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Be inspired

Plate of shrimp and salad with two glasses of wine on a table.
A Journey to Savour for Seafood Connoisseurs
A small glass about half full with whisky is being raised by a hand in the foreground of the image.
Raising a Glass to the Highlands and Islands
Barrels of whisky are stacked in three rows on top of wooden boards.
Stilling Lands
Woman forages seafood on the shore.
Go Forth and Forage in the Highlands and Islands
From Land to Larder