44 Must Try Scottish Foods & Drinks (local recommends)

When you think of Scotland's food, maybe haggis or irn bru comes to mind. I am often asked "What is Scottish food?" so this time I'll be sharing 44 must-try Scottish foods and drinks in Scotland.

Scotland has some great traditional Scottish food and drinks and trying the local food is one of the best things about travelling to a new place so I hope this video will give you some inspiration of things to eat in Scotland!

🍿 WATCH NEXT

EXTRA CONTENT ON PATREON:

MY OTHER SOCIALS:

MY FAVOURITE TOOLS & GEAR:

WHO AM I?
If we haven't met before... Hi, I'm Ruth 👋 and I recently bought a campervan to travel my home country of Scotland after living overseas for 12 years. I’ve hardly seen anything or been anywhere in Scotland and now is the time to change that!

P.S. Some of the links in this description are affiliate links that I get a kickback from.

[ruthaisling]

Are there any Scottish foods or drinks mentioned in the video that you hadn’t heard of before?

[apatriotone]

My DNA is 16% Scottish and always wanted to go there. Sadly, I’m widowed and need a kidney so I will never be able to travel again. Thanks for taking me there virtually. Here in the US I’ve been able to enjoy many of the foods and drinks at restaurants, pubs and import shops. I’ve enjoyed your adventures as ambassador.I look forward to many more. ❤

[perkunas]

Back in 2000 me and 2 buddies from college here in Massachusetts toured Scotland, staying mostly in BnBs (real Bed and Breakfasts, long before AirBNB).

We wanted to try haggis, but we were so scared of it. Finally, we worked up our nerve about 1/2 way through the trip, and asked our hostess in Glen Coe where we should go to try haggis for dinner that night (she had just served out breakfast). She laughed and informed us we were eating haggis right now! We had been eating haggis as part of our Scottish Breakfast almost every morning of our trip. It was great!

[zhukov]

I’m from Grimsby in England, and I will eat haggis whenever I can, it is so hearty and good food.

[northernsegageorge]

My Grandmother is Scottish from Falkirk and she married an Irish man so I grew up here in Ireland having our Scottish family coming over to stay several times a year and they always brought a great food parcel with them and in return they flew back to Scotland with our Irish soda bread, potato breads, Belfast baps etc. I use to love going to stay in Falkirk and getting the proper Irn Bru and square sausages. Love Scotland and the people. Beautiful country and I am looking forward to taking my own kids there.

[marjorieorveau]

I've watched this three times! I've never seen such a compilation of Scottish foods and drinks. A must-see before visiting Scotland. Ruth, you're flying the Scottish flag (aka The Saltire) high!!

[ramonscott]

Cullen Skink was my absolute favourite when I was based in Buckie, great memories.

[kevinharrison]

I'm a very long tall black man, 6'8" who bought a Kilt! Will try to rock it when the weather warms.😂❤

[siv]

Thank you for this and all the others really, really good videos you make Ruth. Love that you go to less touristy places and show us the small and interesting things from daily life out there. Looking forward to your next video, hope it come soon.

[niyanlan]

Love the video. Spent my university days in Scotland and some of this takes me back. People get get old very quickly but your videos remind me of the happiest days of my life. Carry on the good work!

[ericdelevinquiere]

You are the best ambassador for Scotland, you actually got my attention with your food display. Certainly more appealing than previously thought and from my past experiences. So glad to see regional foods coming to age in a world class way!

[jim_dubhglas]

Ruth, I really liked this informative, culinary upload. I'm 3rd generation Canadian of Scottish descendant, and always incorporate regional foods when I visit the old country. You've pointed out several things I wasn't aware of, and can't wait to try on my next return. Slàinte mhath!

[marshallbowen]

My family’s grandmother from Aberdeen used to make skirlie from oatmeal fried in fat, onions and seasoning. I had the impression that it was popular in Aberdeenshire. We were always taught that haggis came from wee creatures with one set of legs shorter than the other so they could run quickly on the Scottish hills especially before January 25th…

[rupertbare]

Thanks for the PDF, Ruth, and the brilliant video. Being Irish, I'm not at all familiar with Scottish food, but I did note some strong similarities to Irish food here and there. Some of the items you've listed are truly mouth-watering. As a fish lover, that Cullen Skink looks wonderful and is now No.1 on my wish list! 😋

[Robbie]

Ruth, you are doing what I wished I had done 30 years ago in all your videos. I am from Australia and Scotland is as far as you can get from where I live in a small town called Sale in Victoria . Yes As my name is Robert Gordon Scott, a lot of my genes came from there decades ago, English and Norwegian as well I believe. I went there in 1992 but didn't do all that I should have. It was at the end of a gruelling three month world trip so I was simply toured out. I have many videos I shot during my travels and will be posting them here on my very small as yet YouTube channel in due course. You are one brave young & lovely lassie to be doing all this by yourself, as it appears. All the Best Robert

[MissDashwood]

Ruth, you’re incredible! I found your channel yesterday and have been binge watching since. This is the most interesting and informative list of Scottish foods, I would love to try all of them but most especially arbroath smokies. Wanting to see places my ancestors originated from, I’ve been to Scotland twice over the years and I love it so much. Your content and channel are wonderful, thank you for posting. Cheers from near the Canadian Rockies.

[Winterfell]

I am an American that has traveled to Scotland many times. I am commenting on the items I have had: Tattie Scones = Scottish Nan; Cullen Skink = A smoked haddock chowder. It is the best after a day of hiking. Scottish shortbread with a glass of single malt in the evening is fantastic. Scottish Breakfast at a great B&B in Stirling, Oban, or Blairgowrie... absolutely the best! Eat the toast with the black currant jam that I have only had in the UK. The Indian Food in Glasgow and Edinburgh is the best I have had ANYWHERE. Scottish Bannocks, warm with real butter to soak up the Cullen Skink are magical. Try Brea's in Stirling for Cullen Skink or at the Sligachen Hotel on Skye. Also, Venison Tartar at Brea's is wonderful.

[TheRedDevil-]

Hi Ruth. I hope you are well. Interesting fact for you here: In regards to Mars Bars, they are made in Slough, Buckinghamshire. Adjacent to the "Mars Bars Factory" as it is more commonly known as, used to be a film studio called firstly; AP Films then later on; CENTURY 21 STUDIOS. It was there that the classic television series "THUNDERBIRDS" was made, along with others such as; "STINGRAY, " "CAPTAIN SCARLET AND THE MYSTERONS, " "JOE 90, " "THE SECRET SERVICE" and the model effects work for "UFO." Sadly, the studios closed down in early 1971, and after changing hands many times over the decades. At one point in became a tyre company / factory, and a plastics factory. The building itself was finally demolished in 2017. The name of the road were the studios were on, is called Stirling Road.

[CPearl]

Thank you for taking me down memory lane. I'm an American, but my parents were missionaries and I grew up in Dundee from the age of 5 until I was 12. Went to primary school and ate many of the things you showcased here. I do miss it so much and hope to one day take my children there. I'd also give an honorable mention to beans on toast and Ribena (which maybe aren't just Scottish, but I loved them growing up!).

[JohnMcchesney-ybtb]

My wife & I spent 2 weeks driving around Scotland. We tried most of the food. My favorite for breakfast was Kippers. Haggis was OK, reminded me of Amish scrapple. Over all a fantastic trip that was very enjoyable. Even though we didn't find NESSIE