Food & Drink Tourism
Food & Drink experiences in Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire
The trend of food and drink tourism is growing and there is demand for getting a real taste of Scotland. No longer are the castles, whisky and history of Scotland the main reasons for visitors to travel. Aberdeenshire is a strong contributor to food production in Scotland and has many national and international brands based here. From long established brands such as Mackie’s Ice Cream to exciting up and coming products like Singularity Sauce.
Food Production
The produce grown in the North East of Scotland is top quality. Aberdeenshire grows its fair share of barley used in the production of whisky but also in the Craft Brewery business. Recently the number of craft breweries has exploded and if beer is your drink of choice then Aberdeen is the place. Here is a Hop Heaven blog created by Visit Aberdeen in case you are looking for something to do an a rainy day.
Understanding where food comes from and how it is grown is important to many of us. Being able to speak to the farmer who can share his/her passion for the produce helps us to understand the process and learn what makes their product unique. There is nothing like going to the dairy and collecting your fresh organic milk directly from a vending machine. Not only do Forest Farm Dairy have their milk “on tap”, they offer organic yogurt and delicious Italian style Gelato too!
Farmer’s Markets
Where there are farms you also have fabulous famers markets. Some of the most popular markets are found in: Aboyne, Banchory, Ellon, Inverurie and Huntly. Most weekends in the summer months there will be a market somewhere. The markets are an opportunity to meet the local producers and find something unique to try for your dinner and discover products you didn’t know we had. One very busy producer is Cover Honey Bees. A popular stall holder with local honey and tasty honey baking such as their honey banana bread and their version of sticky toffee pudding.
First swarm of the year and a nice big one, filled the poly nuc #covehoneybees #swarms #honeybees #swarmseason #paynes @PaynesBeefarm #aberdeen https://t.co/eLgCwFCe5h pic.twitter.com/eXN6uMFZuh
— Cove Honey Bees (@covehoneybees) May 9, 2020
Foodie Festivals
There are several beer festivals and food & drink festival available during the year. Taste of Grampian has been running for many years and offers visitors a sensory experience they won’t soon forget. This popular annual event allows visitors to discover and sample the wide range of high quality food and drink products from Grampian in the North East of Scotland to visitors from throughout Scotland. Deeside Local Food Festival based in Banchory is a much loved festival for the locals. There are cookery demonstration and local food producers as well as music and entertainment all day.
Midsummer Beer Happening in Stonehaven. You won’t find a wider range and selection of beers in one place anywhere else in Scotland this summer than at the Stonehaven Midsummer Beer Happening. Banchory Beer Festival in Banchory is going from strength to strength. No longer strictly a beer festival there is Aberdeenshire produced gin, vodka and rum on offer too. The festival is a great day out with delicious street food vans and entertainment.
Agritourism
Aberdeenshire Highland Beef offers Farm Tour Experiences where you meet those fluffy Highland Cattle which are synonymous with Scotland. Guests will have a tour of the farm and learn about the breed and what it takes to look after these huge beasts. Some of the cattle are part of the breeding herd and are used for shows and stock animals while others roam free in the hills of Aberdeenshire and are used for beef. At the end of your tour, guests will be able to sample some of the beef.
BrewDog have started offering Beer Schools which are an in-depth look into the world of craft beer featuring five third pints paired with a selection of cheeses. This 2-hours session will see your cheeky guide take you through the history of the beers, take you through the brewing process and discuss food pairing.
Stuck for dinner ideas? Then maybe a farmers market tour would be something for you. Our friends at Bothies & Bannocks offer these amazing tours where you can have your very own version of “Ready Steady Cook!”
Or you can take an Aberdeen Food Tour in the city centre with us and we can share with you the stories of Aberdeen’s food heritage and you can sample some of our local tastes.
If you need more foodie inspiration and ideas then this video should do the trick.
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