Running from 7th - 22nd September 2013, the hotly anticipated annual event will see foodies flock from far and wide to celebrate the best that Scotland’s larder has to offer.
Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight has grown steadily over the years to become a stalwart on the food and drink calendar with hundreds of events ranging from foraging and farmers' markets to cooking demonstrations and butchery classes taking place throughout the country.Renowned internationally for outstanding produce and ingredients, Scotland is also home to some of the UK’s top culinary talents. From Edinburgh’s famous Michelin mile including award-winning restaurants The Kitchin and Restaurant Martin Wishart, to Scotland’s only two Michelin star restaurants, Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles, there is something to suit every taste, budget and palate.
This year, visitors and locals alike can enjoy a whole host of fantastic events and tuck into some ‘good Scottish scran'. We list events below.
Dundee Flower and Food Festival, 6th - 8th September
The Dundee Flower and Food Festival offers a fun family weekend of activities. Highlights include cookery demonstrations from Paul Hollywood, best known as the co-judge of BBC’s The Great British Bake Off, gardening demonstrations from Christine Walkdren, the resident gardening expert for BBC’s The One Show, a children’s marquee based on the Year of Natural Scotland theme and horticultural marquee filled with a wide variety of flowers and vegetables.
The Great Scottish Braves Harvest Chilli Fest at Scone Palace, Perthshire, 21st - 22nd September
The event, organised by Chilli Fest UK, promises to challenge the keenest of spice-lovers and is the first ever Scottish chilli festival celebrating all things ‘chilli’, including food, drink and much more. The two-day festival will include exhibitors such as Aunty Jee’s Curry Kitchen, Vodka Red Wolf, Wiga Waga and Chillilicious to name but a few, which are sure to delight the senses! The highlight of the weekend will be a fiery chilli eating contest, where only the bravest are invited to line up and eat increasing hot chillies. Attendees will also enjoy salsa dancing, chefs’ demonstrations and a delicious spicy BBQ.
The Loch Ness Beer Festival, Inverness, 20th - 28th September
This week-long festival will celebrate all the best Scottish beers from Loch Ness and beyond with attendees enjoying a whole host of fun including live music, tasty food, competitions, dancing and much more. Breweries attending the event include the Loch Ness Brewery, Isle of Skye, Highland Brewing and An Teallach Cairngorm.
Elgin Food & Drink Festival, 20th September
This foodie festival, part of Homecoming Scotland 2014, spills out onto the streets of Elgin with copious market stalls laden with produce from Moray and beyond bringing together over 70 exhibitors with cooking, children’s activities and special guests. A craft market will also be set up where visitors can browse for handmade, unique and usual gifts and crafts. Attendees will also be inspired by exciting cookery demonstrations using locally available produce and children’s activities will also take place ensuring the whole family will enjoy this great day out.
Fife Blasda, 9th September
The historic town of Fife, located in the Scottish lowlands, is a must stop for food lovers during Scottish Food and Drink Fortnight. Fife’s Blasda, a local festival celebrating sustainably, home-grown produce takes place at Dysart Community Hall and Ravenscraig Walled Garden. Foodies can visit a beautiful community garden, orchid and wildlife area as well as a newly restored 19th century Victorian greenhouse while also taking advantage of educational workshops and a celebratory lunch, made using produce hand-picked from the garden.
Autumn Harvest Day, St Andrew’s, 22nd September
A must visit for families, Autumn Harvest Day takes place at St. Andrews Botanic Gardens offering a whole host of fun. From apple tasting and juicing to an orchard treasure hunt, storytelling and tasty food stalls, visitors will be immersed in the wonder of autumn in Scotland and the beautiful produce and ingredients the season brings.
Run by Scotland Food & Drink, Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight brings together food lovers from across Scotland and encourages people to Eat Scottish.
New events are been added all the time, for more information log onto www.scottishfoodanddrinkfortnight.co.uk/events/events-2013
For more information on visiting Scotland and things to see and do visit www.visitscotland.org/natural
