FOOD : Foodie places to visit in Perthshire
Perthshire, the picturesque region in Scotland, holds a delicious secret for all food and drink enthusiasts. Known for its stunning landscapes, this captivating locale offers an array of culinary treasures that delight the senses. Visitors can indulge in the finest local produce, with succulent meats sourced from nearby farms, and renowned seafood plucked fresh from the nearby coastline. The abundance of fertile land provides an ideal environment for growing a wide variety of vegetables and fruits, resulting in vibrant and flavourful dishes. To accompany these culinary delights, Perthshire boasts a vibrant drinks scene, with award-winning distilleries and breweries, scattered throughout the region. From smooth whiskies to crisp craft beers, there is something to satisfy every palate. Perthshire promises an unforgettable gastronomic experience.
FOODIE PLACES TO VISIT IN PERTHSHIRE
On behalf of the Guild of Food Writers and supported by Scotland Food & Drink, I organised a Meet the Producer Tour of Perthshire. 9 food and drink writers, chefs and published authors hopped onboard a mini bus, joined by Food and Drink Network Lead for Great Perthshire, Daniel Muir and Senior Communications and Marketing Manager for Scotland Food and Drink, Jenefer Strathie.
We were in for an absolute treat of a day!
The Guild of Food Writers is the UK’s association for professional food writers and broadcasters. Established in 1984, it acts as a network and showcase for nearly 600 authors, broadcasters, columnists and journalists, including many household names.
Myself, Adele Conn - Full time food, drink and travel writer and reviewer.
Pauline Beaumont - Bread Therapy was published in September 2020. She is a passionate bread maker and work’s as a psychological therapist. www.paulinemarybeaumont.wordpress.com
Andrew Kojima - Became a chef in 2013 after reaching the final of BBC MasterChef. Worked as a private chef and cookery teacher specialising in Japanese cookery and opened his first restaurant in 2017 in Cheltenham. www.chefkoj.com
Fliss Freeborn -An award-winning cookery author, recipe developer, food journalist and panellist on BBC Radio 4's The Kitchen Cabinet . www.flissfreeborn.com
Cat Thomson - Freelance writer and photographer. Writes about food drink and travel for numerous large newspapers and magazines. www.catthomsonwrites.com
Nichola Fletcher MBE - Freelance writer, mostly of commissioned books but occasionally articles as well. Occasional broadcasts. Tutored Game Tastings and Venison and game workshops. www.nicholafletcher.com
Kathryn Hawkins - Recipe and product development for Dr Oetker UK as well as food styling; Cookery writing and food styling for My Weekly magazine. www.instagram.com/kathrynhawkinsfood
Christopher Trotter - Experience in the hospitality world, running hotels and restaurants and now runs food tours, workshops, cooking classes and consulting. www.christophertrotter.co.uk
Charlotte Pike - Cookery book writing. Food broadcasting - radio, TV and podcasts. Cookery teaching. Consulting. www.charlottepike.co.uk
An impressive lot!
Here are 4 great places to visit for any foodie!
CLOOTIE MCTOOT DUMPLINGS IN ABERNETHY
Clootie McToot lies in the sleepy village of Abernethy. Michelle Maddox and her team will warmly welcome you into this delightful cosy space where you can grab a cuppa, sit by the fire and watch the clootie dumplings being made in the kitchen. This shop has the most incredible aroma and its a treasure trove of gifts, Scottish-ness and clootie dumplings in 12 various flavours and sizes.
They also have a lovely bistro space upstairs which they will be utilising more with events and dinners, and where they can accommodate groups of visitors.
We tried some clootie, which is usually served as a sweet
Banana and Toffee
Apple, Pear and Cinnamon
Lindores Abbey Aqua Vitae
Traditional
but we also got to try clootie as a savoury dish with these duck and clootie bon bons from Private Chef, Adam Newth.
Clootie McToot, Main Street, Abernethy, PH2 9JB www.clootiemctootdumplings.com
ERRICHEL HOUSE AND FARM SHOP/DELI/BISTRO
Climbing the hills through Perthshire, we eventually drove above the haar (mist) and arrived at Errichel House. Rebecca and Paul Newman run Errichel which has many a moving part. Errichel not only offer accommodation (they have several cottages) they have Thyme Deli and Bistro, offer farm tours and cheese/charcuterie tastings!
This place is a foodie heaven and we stopped here for a cheese tasting and then lunch.
Their cheese tastings are delightful and very much a sensory experience. From the ‘wee Comrie’ style to applewood cheddars, each cheese has its own distinctive flavors, textures, and aromas. During a cheese tasting, you get to appreciate the craftsmanship and artistry that goes into creating these delectable dairy delights. The guided tastings take you through 10 tastings featuring 5 chosen cheeses - 5 on a plain oatcake and the the same 5 with deli-accompaniments. It's a chance to indulge in the foodie pleasure of savouring and comparing a diverse selection of cheeses, expanding your palate, and deepening your appreciation for this age-old culinary treasure.
All the cheeses were exceptional but the Elrick Log Goats Cheese was superior!
Lunch in the Round House is a must and the food is utterly gorgeous.
Errichel, Crieff Road, Aberfeldy, PH15 2 EL www.errichelhouseandrestaurant.co.uk
MENA-PAUSE AT CASELLA AND POLEGATO BAKERY, PERTH
If you are someone you know is going through peri-menopause or menopause, then do yourself a favour and pop into Casella and Polegato Bakery in Perth and purchase some Mena-Pause baked goods!
Charlotte Blackler who is the founder of Mena-pause, that creates a range of functional foods helping to combat the symptoms of Menopause.
The Mena range is the first food range in the UK that specifically offers women a natural food alternative to overcome the negative symptoms of menopause, not just a supplement or HRT.
Having previously worked in the pharmaceutical sector, and with a keen interest in herbs Charlotte developed these formulations at her kitchen table, before calling on the technical expertise of her friends, Denis Casella and Francesca Polegato, at Perth-based artisan bakery Casella & Polegato to manufacture them commercially.
Charlotte has developed her specially formulated food range; which includes Mena-Bread, Mena-Snack Bars and Mena-breakfast cereal.
I got to try out the Sourdough bread and the snack bars. The sourdough bread a delicious and would be excellent for toast whilst the snack bars are dense with oats and fruit.
Charlotte offers subscription boxes but everything you need to know is available on her website -
Casella and Polegato Bakery, SHOP 40 George Street, Perth, Scotland PH1 5JL or BAKERY 9-10 Whitefriars, Perth, Scotland PH1 1PP
LOCH LEVENS LARDER IN KINROSS
This enchanting destination offers a delightful blend of farm shop, café, restaurant, and outdoor play area, making it a perfect spot for food lovers and families alike. As you enter the larder, you are greeted by an array of locally sourced and artisanal products, showcasing the best of Scottish produce.
The on-site café and restaurant serve up mouth-watering dishes crafted with ingredients straight from their farm and gardens, ensuring a true farm-to-fork experience. What sets Loch Levens Larder apart is not only the exceptional quality of their offerings but also their commitment to sustainability, with solar-powered buildings and an eco-friendly approach. Whether you're looking to indulge in a delicious meal, stock up on delectable treats, or simply enjoy the stunning surroundings, Loch Levens Larder is an idyllic destination.
The restaurant/cafe is a big yet cosy space with blackboards listing every kind of cake that will make your mouth water AND they do sell Fisher and Donaldson Doughnuts! These are a Scottish delicacy if you didn’t know!
This place is definitely worth a stop at. Perfect for an afternoon out, family friendly with great cakes!
Loch Leven’s Larder, Channel Farm, near Kinross, KY13 9HD www.lochlevenslarder.com/
You can of course visit every one of these places in a day from Perth to Abernethy, onto Aberfeldy finishing at Kinross.
Perthshire is a great foodie destination of Scotland and well worth exploring.