World-famous distilleries, cosy pubs and the best seafood: Travel experts’ top food and drink places in Scotland
IF you’re off to Scotland on a £9.50 Holiday, here’s something to excite your taste buds.
Surrounded by sea and with rolling fertile lands, this beautiful country produces much of its own food, from seafood to hearty haggis.
It’s also home to over 150 malt and grain distilleries, with countless whisky-tasting opportunities for those who like a tipple.
You can’t miss the opportunity to sample haggis, neeps and tatties (turnips and potatoes), traditional fish and chips or Scottish porridge.
And you can’t go wrong by starting the day with a full Scottish breakfast, with in Nairn highly rated for theirs.
Another local speciality is Cullen Sink, a warming, thick soup made of smoked haddock, potatoes and onions, which you can sample at somewhere like .
Read More On Scotland
And that’s just the start. We’ve spoken to Scottish locals and holiday park staff to find out the best places to eat and drink – from sea-view restaurants to community-run cafes by the beach.
Here are some places to check out on your upcoming £9.50 Holiday…
Best cheap eats
Morvyn Cattanach, General Manager at Sandylands Holiday Park in Ayrshire recommends , a community cafe just behind Stevenson Beach.
She said: “It’s a cabin that they've done out as a cafe – a wee hidden thing that people might not know about.
Most read in Best of British
"It’s the perfect place to get a cup of tea after a walk on the beach. And it’s really budget friendly – we got two soups, two drinks and a bag of dog treats for £10.”
In the Highlands, cafe and pub, both in Inverness, are highly rated for their good value food and drink.
Best dog-friendly cafe
If you have a pooch in tow, Morvyn Cattanach recommends heading to the coastal town of Irvine.
She said: “There’s a lovely cafe called right next to the harbour where you can take your dog. It’s a great breakfast and brunch place – my favourite is avocados and eggs on toast (£9.80).”
The menu also features a “doggy section” with everything from sausages (£3) to “puppuccinos” (£2.50) for hounds.
Best local pubs
Christopher Hill, Administration Manager at Tummel Valley Holiday Park in Perthshire, says Pitlochry is the place to find a variety of great pubs.
He said: “My favourites are , and .
The Old Mill has a great setting, with a watermill outside and a nice beer garden.
The Auld Smiddy is a traditional pub with great food and a kids’ menu. There’s also , which has a traditional brewery and cosy fire.”
Best for families
Adele Murray, originally from Aberfeldy in Highland Perthshire, says: “One of my family’s favourite pubs is – or “The Crags” as locals call it – in Aberfeldy.
"It’s great for families, with a beer garden and outdoor play area. The Scottish Mussels are delicious and come from the west coast (£9.50 as a starter, £18.95 as a main), but I’ve also eaten pigeon and duck here – the food is great.”
The children’s menu includes garlic ciabatta (£3.50), mac and cheese (£6.25) and more.
Meanwhile, in Ayr is a good option for families, with a genuinely good children’s menu and a laid-back vibe.
They also offer activity packs to keep kids entertained, and regular offers like steak nights for less than £15.
Best place for whisky tasting
The Scottish Sun Travel Editor, Heather Lowrie recommends The in Pitlochry, the Highlands.
She said: “It’s one of the oldest working distilleries in Scotland.”
One-hour tours cost from £19. Heather added: “Blair Castle, home to the Atholl family for over seven centuries with its spectacular grounds, is just seven miles away and worth a look.
"You can even go segwaying there with and take in Hercules Garden, Diana’s Grove and St Brides Kirk.”
Further north, Lossiemouth in Moray is another good option for sampling the country’s finest malts, with plenty of bars, cafes and restaurants in the town.
Heather said: “Whisky drinkers will love it as it’s in the famous Speyside whisky area, and close to a few of Scotland’s most famous distilleries including Glenfiddich, Macallan and Tamdhu.”
Best restaurant
Overlooking the Moray Firth, is a modern bar and restaurant – the perfect place to watch the sunset beside a panoramic window.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Make the most of one of the offers, like “boozy brunch” Saturdays (£35pp for two courses and four cocktails, pre-booking essential).
Meanwhile, in Ayr is a traditional Scottish restaurant that is highly rated for its dishes, which range from duck leg croquettes (£7.95) to hand-pressed burgers (£16) and butcher's cut steak.
