The gastronomic guide to Scotland

Guilt-free guzzling? Indulgence without worrying about your waistline?  It’s surprisingly easy for visitors to Scotland to experience these with a new book published by VisitScotland today (27 June) which encourages lovers of the great outdoors to try out active pursuits whilst eating some of the best food on offer - from canoeing through the heart of whisky country to cycling and picnicking around the Borders.

The book, Surprise Yourself with an Appetite for Adventure, allows visitors to explore the massive variety of landscapes that the country has to offer, while trying out a number of different active pursuits – from gentle walks and hearty hikes to cycle rides, surfing and sea kayaking.  Each of the ten routes suggest opportunities to taste some of the best local produce as you go, including the best pit stops for picnic provisions, fine restaurants and cosy cafes.

It will be available free of charge in VisitScotland’s visitor information centres and branches of Waterstones across Scotland from 27 June 2011.  It can also be downloaded from: visitscotland.com/surprise

Written by freelance travel writer, Lucy Gillmore, with specially commissioned photography from award-winning photographer, Chris Watt, An Appetite for Adventure is a legacy of Scotland’s Year of Food & Drink, which ran until 31 May 2011.

Lucy Gillmore said

“It was a dream commission, being able to combine some of the best foodie pitstops Scotland has to offer and explore a handful of the amazing landscapes we're lucky enough to have on our doorstep here.”

The ten routes featured in the book are:

A wildlife-filled walk with home baking from the local flourmill (Perthshire)
A beach walk to St Ninian’s Isle (Shetland)
Sea kayaking and Seafood (Arran)
Canoeing through whisky country (Speyside)
Munro-bagging in the Black Cuillins (Skye)
Cycling the 4 Abbeys Cycle Route (Borders)
A sculpture walk near Cairnhead (Dumfries & Galloway)
A walk down the Water of Leith (Edinburgh)
Walking the Fife Coastal Path (Fife)
Surfing on Lewis (Outer Hebrides)

To download the book and great vouchers to help you plan your visit to Scotland, go to: visitscotland.com/surprise