Scottish food and drink

Tasty Scottish food and drink to try on your holiday here

People around the world know Scottish cuisine for its warmth and comfort. From glorious seaside smells to rich textures, discovering the food of Scotland is an adventure in itself – and one we are happy to help with at the Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness! Our in-house restaurant offers many Scottish dishes. Any others can be found nearby in the city or neighbouring Highland villages. So here’s a few of our favourite, mouthwatering tastes of Scotland. 

Scottish food

Haggis

Of all Scottish food, Haggis is perhaps the most famous. The hardest part is actually catching the animal as it only comes out on a full moon and likes to run around hills. 

Of course, we’re joking. Traditionally, cooks make haggis from a sheep’s stomach filled with offal mixed with oats, onions, and spices. A good vegetarian haggis closely resembles the meat version. People typically serve it with ‘neeps and tatties,’ which are turnips and potatoes. This lovely dish is usually enjoyed on Burns’ Night but can be savored any time of the year. It fills you up, makes your belly happy, and is definitely worth trying during your stay.

Cullen Skink

Cullen Skink is a traditional Scottish soup. It’s made from smoked haddock, potatoes, and onions. It has a wonderfully fishy aroma and is a great choice for those cold, dark evenings. The dish originated in the town of Cullen in Moray,  just an hour and a half east form Inverness. It’s wonderfully creamy and offers visitors a taste of Scotland’s coastal culinary traditions.

Arbroath Smokies 

Sticking with fish, locals in the town of Arbroath smoke haddock in the traditional manner to create Arbroath Smokies. This method gives the fish a deep, smoky flavor. You can enjoy them hot or cold, often served simply with bread and butter, ensuring the focus remains on the fish!

Scotch Pie 

The handy portable meal of choice for many Scots, the Scotch Pie offers a tasty snack hot or cold. It is a small, double-crusted meat pie filled with minced mutton or other meats, sometimes with a little spice. They are often found on the stands at football matches and can be picked up in bakeries and pubs throughout Scotland. It’s a satisfying treat and great for a packed lunch too!

Drink

Whisky

For drinkers, it seems inconceivable to come to Scotland without trying a dram of whisky. Whether it is malt or blended, neat or mixed, it makes for a delicious drink to savour. Here at Kingsmills, we have a wide selection of whiskies from across Scotland, making it easier than ever for you to try as many as you like! The flavours change dramatically from one distillery to the next, from smokey to earthy flavours, some packing more of a punch than others. Check out our whisky bar during your stay.

Irn-Bru

Often called Scotland’s other national drink, Irn-Bru is a fizzy drink or soda that is more popular here than Coca Cola. Its bright orange colour gave rise to the marketing slogan ‘made from girders’, and is enjoyed by Scots of all ages. You’ll see this sold in any shop that sells drinks!

Beers & lagers

There is an abundance of beers & lagers on offer in Scotland, all brewed here. Tennents Lager is a popular choice, having been brewed since 1885. Other well known drinks makers from Scotland include Innis & Gunn, and Brewdog. A new brewery on the banks of the River Ness here in Inverness called Uile-bheis opened in 2023. These craft beers are certainly worth a taste. 

Enjoy the food and drink of Scotland at Kingsmills Hotel

This is just a starter, if you will, of the types of food and drink you can enjoy when visiting Scotland. Take a look at our restaurant menus as many of these can be found here in the Kingsmill Hotel. Book your stay with us now to experience the best of Scotland’s culinary scene.