As there’s less of a drinking culture in smaller towns and villages, they won’t have many pubs. Smaller villages in Scotland would have very few or no traditional pubs. The hotels in them are home to bars that can have the feel of a traditional pub. Such places are generally open for locals as well and not just for the guests or tourists. 

Here are some of the best traditional Scottish drinks you can enjoy in the country’s drinking establishments:

1. Scotch Whiskey

You won’t be surprised to hear people say ‘whiskey’ when they’re asked what is Scotland famous for. In Scotland, this drink is made using barley, yeast, and water. What makes this drink so special is that it gets better with age. It must be aged for at least three years in Scotland. 

The type of barrel used and the length of maturation determine the whiskey’s taste and price. In recent times, there are over 100 distilleries that produce Scotch whiskey. This makes it really difficult to tell which one is the best. You can savor one when you visit any of the pubs or bars in the country.

2. Drambuie

This Scottish liquor is produced in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. It is a sweetened form of whiskey made by combining honey, whiskey, and herbs. Drambuie is popularly used in a cocktail called Rusty Nail, which is a mix of whiskey and Drambuie. Rusty Nail is one of the most famous Scottish cocktails, but most people don’t know what it contains.

3. Scottish Beers

Beer lovers can find an excellent selection of Scottish beers during their visit to this country. They include pilsners, lagers, Scottish cask ales, Scotch ale, and craft beer. When you look behind the bar in a pub, you’ll mostly see two types of beer taps. 

One would be the tall, traditional tap and the other would be a shorter tap. Lagers and craft beers are drawn from the tall tap and cask ale from the shorter one. Cask ale is unfiltered and unpasteurized beer unique to the UK. There’s another variety of beer in Scotland known as Scotch Ale. This kind of beer is dark, malty, and sweet.

4. Scottish Cider

This is a good alternative to Scottish beer and is widely available across the UK. Among the most popular commercial brands of Scottish cider is Magners. If you like cider and are interested in tasting one at a local pub, simply ask the bartender. 

Some of the local ciders are Waulkmill Cider, Thistly Cross Cider, and Clyde Cider. Gordon Castle, located in a government council area called Moray, produces an uber-local whiskey cask cider. This would be the best drink to try if you happen to visit Moray.

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Besides fish, the regions of Clyde Valley and Greater Glasgow consume large quantities of beef and pork. Today the restaurants in different parts of the country offer greater diversity in food. Besides the traditional dishes, they have a variety of Mediterranean, Greek, Indian, Mexican, Chinese, and Japanese delicacies.

History of the Scottish cuisine

You’ll find influences of the Britannic cuisine in the Scottish dishes. They have also been influenced by the culinary habits of the people residing in the Scandinavian Peninsula. The history of the cuisine of Scotland is quite long and interesting. It is the result of several cultures. 

One is the Celtic culture, which makes a generous use of oatmeal and girdle or griddle. The Scandinavian culture uses some unique methods of curing and salting pork and fish. It is believed that the original Aberdeen Angus breed of cattle came from the Vikings. 

The Scottish cooking methods

There have been many influences on the way the people of Scotland cook. The methods of cooking used in Scotland is similar to most of the American and European cooking. It is mostly noticed when you compare restaurant cooking and home cooking. Today, the emphasis is more on meeting the demands of a healthier diet while adapting the traditional Scottish cuisine. 

It comprises starchy carbohydrates, meat and fish, milk and milk products, oils, and fruits and vegetables. The methods of Scottish cooking may vary depending on the ingredients and recipes. Beacon, pork, lamb, fish, cabbage, leak, and seaweed are the basic ingredients in the dishes of Scotland. The ability of the Scottish people to mix meat, spices, and vegetables provide the special flavor to these dishes. 

Equipment used for Scottish cooking

The preparation of food in Scotland requires a diverse cooking equipment. Of course, like all the other cuisines, the basic kitchen equipment is needed for the Scottish cuisine. Among the common ones are soup ladles, food containers, mugs, food scales, and cruses. 

Serving spoons, forks, spatulas, scrapers, turners, and tongs are also a part of the cooking equipment. Additionally, the cooking instruments like cake pans, egg rings, and can openers bring greater efficiency in the kitchen. No special cooking equipment is required as the cuisine of Scotland is simple and adaptable.

Festivals and traditions associated with Scottish food

One of the best festivals to enjoy some of the finest dishes from the Scottish cuisine is Christmas. Scotland’s New Year, also called Hogmanay, is also an excellent time to enjoy the best dishes of the country. Halloween is mostly celebrated by fasting in this part of the world, but there’s always a presence of food. 

Besides all the traditions that are observed nationally, the people of Scotland also celebrate various local and regional holidays. It is the diverse local customs and some unique dishes that draws millions of tourists to Scotland.

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However, it’s not just seafood that the restaurants have on their menu. You’ll have excellent varieties of Scotland’s traditional foods to choose from while dining at any of these restaurants. Here are some of the traditional Scottish foods you can try when you are in Plockton:

1. Haggis

This is the national dish of Scotland. Haggis is a delicious pudding, which is prepared using meat from the innards of sheep. It is mixed with oatmeal, suet, onions, dried herbs, and other seasonings. Once combined, these ingredients are stuffed inside a sheep’s stomach and cooked. 

While this description is certainly not appetizing, you’ll forget about everything when you begin eating it. This savory dish has a nutty texture and a great flavor. Once you’re done having the serving of Haggis, you’ll certainly feel full and satisfied.

2. Cullen Skink

The origins of this popular soup of Scotland can be traced to a small village called Cullen. It is located in the north-eastern part of the country. This creamy soup is made using smoked haddock, potatoes, cream, and onions. It is typically served with toasted bread. The local recipes for this soup may have certain variations. 

In some of the variations, they may use milk instead of water. In others, they may mash the potatoes in order to make a thicker soup. No matter what the variation is, you’ll find it on the menus of restaurants across the country.

3. Scottish Porridge

Dating back to the early days of Scotland, this dish is commonly eaten for breakfast. It is quite unlike the porridge that the non-Scottish people are familiar with. This particular porridge is made using salt instead of sugar. So, rather than a sweet breakfast, you’ll have a savory one. 

It is prepared with fresh oats cooked in milk and makes for a wonderful meal to start off your day. Before heading out of your hotel for a sightseeing tour, have this filling dish for breakfast.

4. Scotch Pie

Another dish that originated in this country, Scotch pie is a small but extremely delicious dish. It is a double-crust pie filled with minced meat, usually mutton. This filling of mutton is often spiced with pepper and other ingredients. 

Generally, the types and quantities of spice used is kept secret by individual makers of the Scotch pie. This form of pie is baked in a round tin. It is about 4 centimeters in height and 8 centimeters in diameter. Owing to the pie’s hard crust, it needs no wrapping and is eaten by hand.

5. Neeps and Tatties

Neeps and tatties are often served alongside Haggis, the national dish of Scotland. They are made using root vegetables that are boiled and mashed before serving as side dishes. Haggis and neeps and tatties together can be an exciting food to try. 

It is commonly served during the ‘Burns Supper’, which is a part of Robert Burns’ birthday celebrations. Neeps and tatties are featured in various kinds of dishes in Scotland. When served alongside Haggis, they make for a healthy and delicious meal.

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For many individuals, Scottish music means the bagpipes. They can’t think of anything else associated with Scotland’s traditional music other than this instrument. Of course, it’s true that this iconic musical instrument plays a major role in the country’s musical tradition. However, there’s more to Scotland’s traditional music than just the bagpipes. 

Before the bagpipes came ‘the lyre’

Very few people know that the earliest mention of the bagpipes in Scotland goes beyond the 15th century. Although the legacy of this musical instrument is impressive, a few other instruments existed long back. No one can deny that the bagpipes are more than 600 years old, but they’re still relatively new. 

Evidence of a stringed musical instrument called ‘lyre’ was found on the Isle of Skye. It dates back as far as 2300 BCE. This makes it the oldest surviving stringed instrument not only in Scotland but also in all of Europe. People playing harp-type musical instruments were also depicted in stone carvings from the Pictish period.  

The cultural significance of ‘bards’

It won’t be unfair to say that music has always been an integral part of the Scottish culture. Upon going back as far as the medieval period, one would come across the mention of certain individuals called ‘bards’. Throughout the communities of Scotland in those times, these were among the most important individuals. 

The bards kept the strong oral tradition alive and acted primarily as storytellers, musicians, or poets of the community. At times, they also played the role of a local historian and even of a lawyer. These multi-talented individuals were often funded by a nobleman or a monarch. Among the major duties of the bards was writing songs in praise of their employer. 

Over the centuries, the tradition of bards gradually fell out of favor, but their cultural importance never diminished. In modern times, the term ‘bard’ has taken on a new meaning. This is now used as a term of recognition for renowned poets or authors. One can thus see why Robert Burns, the national poet of Scotland, is referred to as ‘The Bard’. 

In modern times

Everyone knows Bob Dylan, the legendary American musician and songwriter. He had once stated publicly that his greatest inspiration was none other than Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns. Many of the elements of Scottish music, such as its instruments, accompaniments, and venues have changed with the times. Despite this, the music of Scotland has remained rooted in its tradition. 

The Scottish bands of recent times still employ many of the techniques used by their ‘bardic’ ancestors. Some of the innovative musicians even fuse traditional techniques with modern technologies to produce some fabulous sounds. This shows how relevant Scottish traditional music is even in today’s times.

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