15 Foods of Scotland

Scotland is known to have unusual varieties of recipes but also shares much of it with other British and expansive European cuisines. It also has local, regional, and continental influences with an ancient and modern touch. Scottish cuisine is delicious and enjoyable due to Scotland's natural storehouse of vegetables, fruits, oats, fish, and other seafood and dairy products used as primary sources in traditional Scottish cooking. This absence of spices has maintained the authenticity of Scottish cuisine to a great extent, thus striving to provide the best to the people. 

Here is a list of 15 popular dishes of Scottish cuisine that are delectable and flavourful that one must try:

1. Festy Cock

Festy cock is an authentic dish that originates from Scotland. It can be aptly described or referred to as an oatmeal pancake. A festy cock is usually prepared using a combination of finely ground oatmeal with a bit of water and a pinch of salt. It is specially prepared on Shrove Tuesday in Scotland. 

2. Stovies

Stovies is a Scottish dish that has potatoes as its base. Commonly, stovies are served with cold meat or oatcakes and, at times, with pickled beetroot. There are two versions of stovies: the simpler barefoot or barfit stovies, which are cooked using only potatoes and onions stewed in roast dipping. The second kind, called high heelers, entails much meat. It is a meal that is generally prepared at home. 

3. Cranachan (Raspberry dessert)

Cranachan is a classic Scottish dessert initially indicated as a celebration of harvest during the raspberry harvest in August. Scottish oats and whiskey add substance to the dessert of cream and fresh seasonal raspberries. Cranachan is available throughout the year and is served on special occasions.

4. Melting Moments (Oat Biscuits/Cookies)

Melting moments are known to be Scotland's tea time staples. These traditional vanilla-flavored oat biscuits or cookies are usually prepared by mixing butter, caster sugar, eggs, flour, baking powder, vanilla extract, and oatmeal. These delicious buttery biscuits are a classic tea-time snack and are often served at parties and social gatherings. 

5. Rumbledethumps

Rumbledethumps is an authentic Scottish dish. Some of the primary ingredients for making this dish are potato, cabbage, and onion.  It's substantial and healthy and can be eaten for lunch or dinner. 

6. Scottish Tablets 

A tablet is a medium-solid, sugary sweet from Scotland. Some ingredients used to make Scottish Tablets include sugar, condensed milk, and butter, which is boiled to the extent that it becomes like a softball and is left to crystallize. This delightful treat is sure to satiate your taste buds.

7. Scotch Pie 

A Scotch Pie is a small, double-crusted meat pie that is generally stuffed with minced mutton. Scotch pies, especially freshly baked, can be found at takeaway restaurants, bakeries, and outdoor events. This mouth-watering pie can be eaten as a snack or even as an accompaniment to a meal.

8. Arbroath Smokies

The Arbroath Smokies is a kind of smoked haddock. Arbroath smokies are prepared using traditional yet distinct methods. Generally, it is enjoyed as a main course meal for either lunch or dinner. This is a must-try, unique dish for all fish lovers in Scotland. 

9. Clootie Dumpling

Clootie Dumpling, a traditional dessert, ingredients include flour, breadcrumbs, dried fruit (currants, raisins, and sultanas), suet, sugar and spices, and some milk and occasionally golden syrup for binding. Clootie dumplings are mostly associated with and prepared during Christmas and New Year. 

10. Lorne Sausage

Lorne sausage, or square sausage or slice sausage, is a typical Scottish food item made from minced meat, rusk, and spices.  It is a perfect food item, especially for breakfast, since it's wholesome and tasty. 

11. Haggis 

Haggis is a Scottish-style savory pudding that contains sheep's pluck minced with onion, oatmeal, suet, spices, and salt mixed with stock and cooked authentically while wrapped in an artificial casing. There is also organic, gluten-free, and vegan haggis available.

12. Dundee Cake

Dundee Cake is an authentic Scottish fruit cake. Butter, sugar, lemon and orange zests, marmalade, flour, baking powder, eggs, milk, dried fruit, glacé cherries, candied citrus peel, currants, sultanas, ground almonds, and blanched almonds are typically used to make this cake. This dessert has a unique balance of sweetness and citrus, making it not only piquant but also making one desire more of it.

13. Scottish Morning Roll

A Scottish Morning Roll is a breakfast delicacy freshly baked and made of white bread. The outer part is a bit crispy but airy internally, making it the best for having substantial meat stuffings such as bacon, sausage, or minced meat. These rolls are readily available in bakeries, local stores, and supermarkets across Scotland.

14. Cullen Skink (Soup)

Cullen Skink is a thick Scottish soup cooked using smoked haddock, potatoes, and onions. This soup can be found at cafes and restaurants. It is nutritious, wholesome, and delectable.

15. Scottish Black Bun

Scottish Black Bun, or Scotch bun or Black bun, is a type of fruit cake with a complete pastry covering. This cake itself resembles a Christmas cake or a Christmas pudding mixture. This Scottish Black is a prime food item served at the Scottish Hogmanay festivities. Traditionally, the Black bun is served with a glass of Scotch whiskey. 

Though traditional in its taste and popular, Scottish cuisine has been able to cater to each one's choice. This has undoubtedly encouraged and promoted the creation of different versions of traditional Scottish dishes, leading to the broader recognition of Scottish cuisine. Thus, Scottish cuisine has instilled a fondness among people and has become renowned over a period of time.