Scottish tablet is made from sugar, condensed milk, and butter. It's similar to fudge but has a grainier texture and a rich caramel flavor.
A full Scottish breakfast is made up of bacon, square lorne sausage, link sausages, a fried egg, baked beans, black pudding, tattie scones, fried tomatoes and mushrooms, and toast. It's usually washed down with a cup of tea.
A hot toddy is a soothing alcoholic drink made by mixing whisky, hot water, honey, lemon juice, and cinnamon or cloves. It is commonly enjoyed during cold weather or when feeling unwell.
A deep-fried Mars bar is a Mars-brand chocolate bar coated in batter and deep-fried in oil. It's often served at fish and chip shops or fairs and festivals in Scotland.
Scottish lobsters (and crabs) caught off the East Neuk Coast are widely recognized as being some of the best in the world.
Scottish porridge is a breakfast dish made from oats and water or milk. Oats are cooked slowly on the stove until the mixture thickens to a creamy consistency. Traditionally, a dash of sugar or salt is added for flavor.
Scotch broth is a hearty soup made with barley, vegetables, and often lamb or beef. The soup is flavored with herbs and simmered until the ingredients are tender.
Scottish salmon is the UK's top food export. Furthermore, salmon from Loch Duart is considered the best quality smoked salmon in Scotland.
Neeps and tatties are mashed swedes and potatoes, often served alongside haggis.
Oatcakes are made from oatmeal, flour, salt, and butter or fat. They can be enjoyed on their own as a snack, or served with cheese, spreads, or smoked salmon.
Arbroath, a coastal town in the east of Scotland, is famous for its smokies, which are haddock hung in pairs and smoked in a barrel containing a hardwood fire. The fish is covered with a lid to create an authentic and delicious smoked taste.
A typical tattie scone is made from mashed potato, butter, salt, and plain flour mixed into a dough. The dough is rolled out and put on a griddle to cook.
Stornoway black pudding is made in the Western Isles of Scotland from a mixture of Scottish oatmeal, pork blood, fat, and spices. Cook until crispy on the outside and serve as part of a full Scottish breakfast.
A clootie dumpling is a traditional steamed Scottish pudding made with dried fruit and spices. The dough is wrapped in a cloth (clootie), simmered in a pan of boiling water, then dried in an oven.
Scottish shortbread is traditionally made with just four ingredients: flour, sugar, a pinch of salt, and butter. Enjoy with a cup of tea.
A Scotch egg is a hard-boiled egg wrapped in sausage, coated in breadcrumbs, and baked or deep-fried.
Stovies is a hearty dish consisting of potatoes, onions, and leftover meat (usually beef or lamb) cooked together in a pot until tender.
Cranachan is a simple yet tasty summer dessert featuring oats, cream, whisky, and raspberries.
Cullen skink is a hearty, filling soup consisting of smoked haddock, potatoes, and onions. Serve with crusty bread for lunch or dinner.
A Scotch pie is made from simple ingredients, such as minced meat (traditionally mutton), mixed with spices, and sometimes onions, encased in hot water pastry.
Haggis is a traditional dish made from minced sheep's offal, onions, oatmeal, suet, spices, and seasoning. It was traditionally encased in the animal's stomach, though an artificial casing is now often used.
Scottish gin accounts for 70% of the UK's overall gin production. The country boasts over 90 distilleries. Gin is often mixed with tonic water and served with a slice of lime or cucumber.
Grouse is a bird native to Scotland with a rich and gamey flavor. Young birds are best roasted, while older birds are cooked in a casserole.
Scottish ales have a rich, malty flavor with caramel and toffee notes.
Irn-Bru is a carbonated soft drink that is bright orange with a sweet and tangy flavor.
A bridie is a Scottish meat pastry that originated from the town of Forfar. Shortcrust pastry encases minced steak, butter, and beef suet seasoned with salt and butter.
Drambuie is a whisky liqueur made from Scotch whisky that has been distilled and aged for a minimum of three years. It is flavored with honey, herbs, and spices.
Scotch whisky is Scotland's most famous alcoholic beverage, made from malted barley, aged in oak barrels, and boasting distinct regional variations in flavor and production techniques.
Sources: (BBC Good Food) (Visit Scotland) (National Trust for Scotland)
Rumbledethumps is a Scottish dish consisting of buttery mash, cabbage, and swede. The mixture is topped with cheese and baked until golden brown.
When it comes to Scottish cuisine, there are many traditional foods to try–from haggis, the country's national dish, to the indulgent deep-fried Mars bar. If you're planning a trip to Scotland, you certainly won't go hungry, and if you're simply curious about Caledonia's culinary offerings, this gallery will get your tastebuds tingling!
Click through to discover some of Scotland's most famous foods and drinks.
Scottish foods and drinks you need to try
From clootie dumpling to cullen skink!
FOOD World cuisine
When it comes to Scottish cuisine, there are many traditional foods to try–from haggis, the country's national dish, to the indulgent deep-fried Mars bar. If you're planning a trip to Scotland, you certainly won't go hungry, and if you're simply curious about Caledonia's culinary offerings, this gallery will get your tastebuds tingling!
Click through to discover some of Scotland's most famous foods and drinks.