Blog Bonus Food and Drink

Time to give an assessment of the food of Scotland.  Speaking to our last two adventures, better than Ireland, not as good as Spain.  Most of our breakfasts have been ‘self-catering’, in other words, we are in a bed and breakfast but we supply the breakfast!  With Airbnb, you will frequently rent the entire home or flat, but it is expected that you prepare your own breakfast.  We knew this before we came to Scotland so we packed some cereal, pancake mix and different hot drink mixes

They farm a lot of salmon in the lochs.  Actually quite good.

We did stay at a few traditional B and B’s as well where they serve a traditional Scottish breakfast.  Eggs, sausage, bacon, and haggis.  What are haggis you ask!  A sheep’s heart, liver and lungs mixed with suet.  You chase haggis with a couple of Imodium. 

Here it is, a typical Scottish breakfast.  Eggs, beans, tomoato,
mushrooms, haggis, or black pudding, bacon and sausage.

The flip side to Airbnb is the previous renter may have left food, and you may as well, so there will be a mix of options for food.  Plus, of course, we stop at a market every couple of days for fruit, and bread to supplement.  Our second meal of the day is usually bread and cheese.  Plenty of both here in Scotland. 

A bit of a disappointment.  Nachos.  Looks like the plastic entrails of
the fake Loch Ness monster.

Finally, dinner is the adventure.  We have found the best food at the pubs. Friendly staff, good service, lots of choices.   A good selection of food from vegetarian to chicken, fish and beef.  With the gazillion sheep everywhere, we thought we would see more mutton on the menus.  I had a mutton burger once.  I think the sheep are for wool exclusively, (and haggis).

They do take their burgers very seriously here.  Always a good choice

A few standouts:  Fish and Chips.  Found everywhere and you are never disappointed.  May be hard eating fish and chips back in the states.  Fish is always fresh and chips are ‘chips’, not French fries.  We found a great pizza place in Falkirk.  If you eat in the restaurant and not take-away it is two for one!  We couldn’t resist: two large pizzas.  Another new experience, a Portuguese meal.  Stumbled on this restaurant in St. Andrews.  Great food, great hot sauces.  Next holiday destination?? 

Ah, comfort food.  Roast, peas and postatoes.

Enchilada, Scottish style.

Drinks?  Beer.  Tried several Scottish beers, kept going back to, and have stayed with Guinness.  Reason?  It is the only one served cold!  Scottish beer, by definition is served room temperature. I can’t make the transition.  

Curry and Nan

The classic Scottish Fish and Chips, with salad and cole slaw.