VisitScotland Unveils Ultimate Food & Drink 'Bucket List'

As it celebrates the Year of Food & Drink 2015, VisitScotland has gone to Scotland lovers everywhere to discover their picks for a ‘bucket list' of the ultimate food & drink experiences in Scotland for 2015 and beyond.

From Scottish personalities including chefs Tom Lewis and Carina Contini, golf professionals at Gleneagles, to Festivals Edinburgh director Faith Liddell as well as VisitScotland's loyal social media following of thousands, everyone has their own taste of what make Scotland the place to visit*. VisitScotland received over 140 suggestions in total.

From a plate of freshly caught fish, enjoyed whilst taking in the beautiful scenery of the Orkney Islands, to an adventure picking wild berries on a trip to the Scottish Borders, to trying a genuine Aberdeen buttery, Scotland has a variety of food and drink experiences to be savored around every corner of the country.

The list covers the top picks of the ultimate food & drink experiences in Scotland across the 15 regions…..

• A meal at the Andrew Fairlie Michelin Star Restaurant, the Strathearn or afternoon tea at Gleneagles

This was a choice of Chef Tom Lewis, from the Monachyle Mhor Hotel in Perthshire, who said: “One of the dishes had a couple of pistachios on it. Still to this day, one of the best pistachios I have ever eaten.”

• Wild berry picking in the Scottish Borders

According to Chef Carina Contini, owner of restaurants in Edinburgh including Contini Cannonball: “The idea of free fruit on a hedge along a country walk. My children get as excited as I did when I was their age.”

• A meal at one of the restaurants on Thistle Street in the Capital, including Iris and the Bon Vivant

Andrew Jowett, Gleneagles' Head Golf Professional suggested: “Bon Vivant, on Edinburgh's Thistle Street. [It] is a really atmospheric night out. They do tapas-style dishes with a twist and have a cracking cocktail list.”

• Enjoying a Scottish breakfast, during a stay at one of the many seafront guesthouses and B&Bs in Ayrshire

Facebook fan John Anderson said: “Brekkie in the By the Sea guest house in Ayr...truly heroic.”

• Eating a genuine Aberdeen buttery in Aberdeenshire

Including Facebook fan Carol Taylor who loves these savoury delights which are also known as “Rowies, morning rolls in Aberdeen!”

• A meal from Tobermory on the Isle of Mull

Facebook fan Fi Cawley gives her vote to “Fresh scallops and langoustines on Mull at Cafe Fish.”

• A trip to Castle Douglas (pictured at top), a designated Food Town boasting some 50 food & drink outlets

Facebook fan Julia Cliff loves “Ballards in Castle Douglas.”

• A visit to BrewDog in Glasgow or the Artisan in Wishaw

Those who suggested this included Facebook fan Simon Bernard who said “The Artisan in Wishaw [has] the best selection of whisky in the world!”

• A picnic by Loch Lomond

This would be the choice of Facebook fan Julia Knauf who added that “plenty of shortbread” would make the experience extra special!

• A visit to the Temple café on the Isle of Harris

Including Facebook fan Robbie Alberre Gibbon who loves the Temple Café – the building is made of stone and looks like an ancient temple.

• Whisky journeys at The Balmoral's SCOTCH bar

The Balmoral's signature whisky bar pays homage to Scotland's national drink and is home to one of Edinburgh's largest collections. Take a seat on one of the tweed sofas and let their Whisky Ambassadors help you choose from over 400 varieties, each one accompanied by a specially selected snack.

Visit website: www.visitscotland.com