What to Eat in Scotland: 19 Scottish Foods You need to try
While Scotland may not be the first destination you think of when you think about foodie destinations, you can still get great meals when visiting this beautiful country. My favorite meals were from smaller cafes or pubs rather than fancy restaurants.
As with any big city, in Edinburgh and Glasgow, you can choose between many types of food, from Indian to Chinese to KFC and McDonald’s. However, if you venture into the highlands or smaller villages, you may be limited to more traditional Scottish food.
So, what is Scottish food? Let’s talk about it.
1. Haggis

Haggis is probably the most “Scottish” food I can think of. It was the one food I was determined to try but assumed I wouldn’t like. I hesitantly tried it, and surprisingly, I loved it. Haggis is a lesson in not judging something before you try it.
Traditional Haggis is a mixture of the liver, lungs, and heart of sheep, beef, various spices, and some oatmeal to bind it all together. It is most commonly served as a patty or loaf.
While in Edinburgh, I had haggis a few different ways and enjoyed them all. My first introduction to Haggis was in the form of a spring roll. I decided to try it in a very small amount before ordering it as a main meal. Once I knew I liked it, I also ordered it on top of mac and cheese and then as a whole meal.
The most traditional way to order haggis is called haggis, Neeps, and Tatty, which consists of haggis, mashed potatoes, and mashed turnips. You’ll also get a side of gravy or whisky sauce to pour over the top. I love the whisky sauce; it’s less overwhelming than the gravy.
2. Scotch Broth

It’s a hearty and warming soup that’s perfect for cold days. It typically contains pearl barley, lamb or beef, and a mix of root vegetables such as carrots, turnips, and sometimes leeks. The broth is often seasoned with herbs like bay leaves and parsley, making it a nourishing meal with flavor and texture.
3. Fish and Chips

While this doesn’t require much explanation, this dish is offered at nearly every restaurant in the country. The best places to grab fish and chips are the pubs (my favorite was Milners) or Berties Proper Fish and Chips.
Most of the fish I’ve seen in Scotland has been haddock or cod.
4. Forfar Bridies

Hailing from Forfar, bridies are crumbly, savory pastries filled with minced beef, onions, and spices, all encased in a flaky, short-crust pastry. They’re traditionally made without potatoes and are considered a popular lunch for local miners.
5. Arbroath Smokie

This is smoked haddock from the small town of Arbroath in eastern Scotland. The fish are salted and left overnight, then slowly dried over hardwood fires. The result is a golden, smoky fish that’s delicious on its own or used as a flavoring in dishes like kedgeree and soups.
6. Bangers and Mash

This is a fun way to say sausages and potatoes. It is served with an onion gravy, and the sausages (more like bratwursts) are laid over the potatoes.
Scotland offers a rich culinary tradition that goes beyond the well-known haggis. Here are some other traditional Scottish dishes to consider:
7. Black Pudding

This rich and savory blood sausage is integral to a traditional Scottish breakfast. Made from pork blood, pork fat, or beef suet mixed with oatmeal, onions, and spices such as mace and allspice, it’s cooked until firm and can be eaten sliced and fried. I know how it sounds, but it’s actually pretty good.
8. Rumbledethumps

This traditional dish from the Scottish Borders is made by mashing together potatoes, cabbage (or sometimes kale), and onions. After mixing, it’s topped with grated cheddar cheese and baked until golden and bubbling. It’s a comforting side dish that pairs well with meats.
9. Stovies

Stovies are a traditional Scottish dish designed to use up leftovers. They are made by stewing potatoes with onions and leftover roast meat (usually beef) until the potatoes are tender and the flavors meld together. Stovies are often served with oatcakes and pickles.
10. Tablet

A traditional Scottish confection, it is somewhat similar to fudge but has a grainier, more brittle texture. Made with sugar, condensed milk, and butter, it is boiled to a soft-ball stage and then vigorously beaten as it cools to create its signature texture.
Our tour guide saw me eating these and said that’s what “all the grandmas in Scotland make.” I loved them; my kids didn’t.
11. Cranachan

This classic Scottish dessert combines raspberries, whipped cream, toasted oatmeal, and a splash of whisky. The oatmeal is traditionally soaked overnight in whisky, giving the dessert a distinctive flavor. It’s layered like a parfait and often served during celebrations like Burns Night.
12. Steak Pie

It is the ultimate comfort food and the perfect dinner after a cold and soggy day exploring Scotland. The steak is usually served in an ale-based gravy with onions and potatoes. The mixture is topped with a flaky crust like a puff pastry. The crust is usually buttery and perfect for sopping up all that warm and yummy gravy.
The most common way steak pie is served is alongside mashed potatoes and a wedge of cooked and seasoned cabbage.
13. Clootie Dumpling

A spiced pudding made with flour, breadcrumbs, suet, sugar, dried fruit (such as raisins and sultanas), and spices. The mixture is wrapped in a cloth (or “cloot”) and simmered in water for several hours. It’s traditionally served at Christmas and other special occasions.
14. Porridge

Scottish porridge is traditionally made with oats, water, and salt. It’s a simple, hearty breakfast that’s often cooked until thick and creamy. Unlike other versions, Scottish porridge is known for its savory rather than sweet flavor profile, usually topped with a pinch of salt.
15. Kedgeree

Though it originates in Indian cuisine, the Scottish version of kedgeree includes flaked smoked haddock, rice, hard-boiled eggs, parsley, and curry powder. It’s a rich, flavorful dish often enjoyed as a hearty breakfast.
16. Cullen Skink

A thick Scottish soup made of smoked haddock, potatoes, and onions, this hearty soup is a staple in Scottish cuisine. I’ll be honest and admit I couldn’t bring myself to try this, as I am not a fan of fishy soups, but others absolutely love it, so you might, too.
17. Lorne Sausage

Unlike typical cylindrical sausages, Lorne sausage is sliced from a compressed square of seasoned minced meat mixed with rusk. It is a key component of the full Scottish breakfast, typically fried and served alongside eggs, tomatoes, and black pudding.
18. Partan Bree

This creamy seafood soup is made from crab and rice. It is enriched with cream and seasoned with a hint of spice from cayenne pepper, offering a comforting, rich flavor that highlights the freshness of Scottish seafood.
What is your favorite Scottish food??

No matter what you eat in Scotland, you can expect a hearty and dense meal. By the end of my trip, I found myself craving vegetables.
What’s your favorite Scottish meal?