Foodies invited to get hands on in Scotland this autumn

A series of new hands-on experiences for food lovers has been launched by VisitScotland this autumn. This follows hot on the heels of a new survey which reveals Scotland as the area of the UK with most pride in its locally sourced food and dishes.

Activities available at visitscotland.com/autumnexperiences include blending your own whisky at Glengoyne Distillery; the opportunity to shop at award-winning farmers markets with a local chef before watching your produce being turned into a feast in the kitchen; or fishing with local creel fishermen off the West Coast of Scotland.

Scotland’s Autumn Experiences:

Bonham Hotel Farmers’ Market
Enjoy a unique shopping and cooking experience with The Bonham’s Farmers’ Market package. Let The Bonham's Executive Head Chef, Michel Bouyer, escort you to Edinburgh's award winning Farmers Market. Spend time shopping with Michel, selecting ingredients to create a delicious seasonal dinner party menu. Michel will then whisk you back to the comfort of The Bonham, where you will watch him prepare your meal using the local produce you have selected during the day.
Location: Edinburgh
Prices: start from £450 per room for a two-night Farmers’ Market package, based on 2 people sharing.

Wild Green Travel
Wild Green Travel bases its unique tours on Scotland’s rich wildlife and local wild and organic produce. Learn top tips on preparing seafood in Stromeferry; opt for a culinary safari in Skye or combine scenery, wildlife and whisky sampling in Islay.
Prices and locations: 3 day Skye & Seafood - £298; 4 day Islay Whisky £465; 7 day Skye foodie - £598

Glengoyne Distillery
Create your very own whisky at Glengoyne Distillery with the Master Blender Session at Glengoyne. Guests are welcomed with a dram of Glengoyne 10 year old Single Highland Malt before enjoying an in-depth guided tour of the distillery. After the tour guests are invited in to the state-of the-art whisky ‘Sample Room’ to try their hand at whisky blending. Guests will have the opportunity to create their very own whisky which will be bottled in a 100ml sample bottle to take home along with a certificate. At the end of the blending session guests can enjoy a dram of some of the distillery’s award winning whiskies.
Location: 14 miles north of Glasgow and within easy reach of Loch Lomond.
Dates and prices: distillery open all year. Master Blender session - £30.

Scotch Whisky Experience - Vidiz Collection
Experience the brand new Scotch Whisky Tour before taking in an exclusive viewing of the world’s largest collection of Scotch whiskies. Join an expert guide and learn some of the intriguing stories behind a selection of bottles within this truly unique archive and enjoy a special tutored nosing and tasting of whiskies.
Location: Edinburgh
Dates and prices: Tour operates all year (closed Christmas Day). Prices range from free to £25

Scotch Whisky Training School
The day at the five star attraction on the Royal Mile is packed full of fascinating facts about Scotch whisky, from its history and traditions to the art of blending and the secrets of how to get the best from every dram you sample. The course promises to provide information on single malt whisky production, the art of blending, the history of Scotch and sensory perception as well as tutored nosing and tastings.
Location: Edinburgh
Dates and prices: Course runs of the 15th October, 18th November and 3rd December. Prices are £160 per person and lunch is also provided

Scottish Yacht Charter
Embark on a luxurious cruise of the Western Isles and sample whisky in some of the West Coast’s finest distilleries. Look out for magnificent scenery and captivating wildlife as you cruise through some of Scotland’s most iconic areas. With easy access to remote locations, Scottish Yacht Charter will ensure you reach those destinations you’ve always wanted to visit.
Location: Leaves from Dunstaffnage Marina, Oban; Visits Jura and Islay.
Prices: Prices start from £116 per person.

See Scotland Differently
Take a five-night gastronomic journey along the Scottish Seafood Trail, staying at three hotels renowned for their outstanding seafood. A seafood cookery demonstration and a truly memorable trip with a local creel fisherman, followed by a lunch of freshly caught langoustines prepared on the shore are also included.
Location: Isle of Bute, Oban, Wester Ross.
Prices: £489 per person based on two sharing for five-nights

Luxury Edinburgh
Luxury Edinburgh invites visitors to a variety of tailor-made experiences. Whether it’s private dining at the divinely decadent Rhubarb, a one-to-one cooking demonstration from Michelin-starred Martin Wishart or dining at the chef’s table at Santini, this is the opportunity to delight your senses with a culinary experience to remember.
Prices and locations vary.

For more information on planning an autumn break to Scotland, visit
visitscotland.com/autumnexperiences.