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There are a lot of traditional Scottish foods to choose from when you’re coming to visit. We’ve separated this list into three categories: meats, sweets, drinks, and breakfast foods. There should be something for everyone on this list. Here are our top favourite classic Scottish foods (or foods very popular in Scotland) you should try when visiting Scotland.

Meat

Haggis

We could describe haggis to you, but if we did, we don’t think you would find it appealing. It’s best just to try it and keep your mind open. It’s probably one of the most recommended traditional foods to try while you’re in Scotland.

Cullen Skink

Cullen skink is the perfect meal in the winter. It’s a thick soup made with fish, potatoes, and onion. It’s often made with Haddock, but it can sometimes be made with other fish. Simple but delicious.

Stovies

Stovies are a stew, typically made with potatoes, onions, and leftover meat. Recipes can vary greatly depending on the region. Stovies are less common to find in tourist areas compared to haggis or cullen skink, but it’s worth it if you do find it!

Sweets

Tablet

Scottish tablet is quite similar to fudge but less soft. It is made with sugar, condensed milk, and butter. It can come in many flavours, but the classic is just with vanilla.

Tunnock’s Tea Cakes

Tunnock’s have been around since 1890. It originally started as a bakery and then grew to one of the biggest brands in Scotland. Their most popular item is their tea cake, although their wafer cookies have also become very popular.

Deep-fried Mars Bar

You might have already tried this in theme parks in North America, but it originated in Scotland. It is exactly what it sounds like, a Mars bar deep-fried in batter.

Drinks

Buckfast

Buckfast is a tonic wine made with caffeine. It’s not actually made in Scotland, it’s a creation born from the devoted hands of the monks at Buckfast Abbey in England. It’s taste is somewhat similar to Sherry or Port. People either love it or hate it, we recommend trying it once to see where you stand, but just don’t drink too much!

Irn Bru

A classic Scottish drink, and the only non-alcoholic drink on the list. Irn Bru, launched in 1901, is a carbonated beverage that is bright orange and tastes quite sweet. It’s exact flavour is hard to pinpoint, as its based on an original secret recipe, which contains 32 flavours! Some Americans find it similar to cream soda. Irn Bru is iconic in Scotland, and known for having rather amusing and memorable adverts, a favourite being the Irn Bru snowman advert.

Whisky

We can’t make this list without having Scotch whisky on here! Scotland is home to more than 140 malt and grain distilleries. This means we will live in the country with the greatest concentration of whisky production in the world. There are many flavours on offer throughout the country, from the peaty whisky of Islay to the sweeter floral drams in Speyside, there really is something for everyone. We recommend going to a whisky distillery or getting a whisky tasting flight in Edinburgh, Glasgow or Inverness to discover which flavours you like.

Breakfast

Full Scottish Breakfast

A full Scottish breakfast is different from an English breakfast. It can vary depending on where you go, but generally it includes fried eggs, sausages, bacon, haggis, black pudding, baked beans, tattie scones (explained in the next section), fried tomatoes, mushrooms, and toast.

Tattie Scone

A tattie is what Scottish people call a potato. A tattie scone is made with mashed potatoes, flour, salt, and butter. It’s often eaten with a full Scottish breakfast, along with haggis – another Scottish food.

Scottish Porridge

Scottish porridge is unlike the ones you’ve eaten before. Traditionally, we use salt instead of sugar, making it a savoury breakfast meal. This has been a Scottish staple for years. However, you may also get to try sweet porridge with a nip of whisky on top, the perfect way to start the day!

There is definitely more you can try other than the items listed, we recommend talking to some Scots when you’re here and asking them what their favourite dish is! Or better, ask one of our tour guides when you’re on one of our tours.