Food and drink events to look forward to this summer in Scotland

With the sun shining and long days, there’s plenty to look forward to this summer and beyond, finds Rosalind Erskine.

Published 6th Jun 2023
Updated 31 st Oct 2023

If you’re looking to spend the longer summer days enjoying some food and drink then you’re in luck as there are a range of events taking place in Scotland this summer, from food festivals to celebrations of beer and whisky.

Here are some of the best Food and drink events to look forward to.

Spots on my Apples Festival, Bowhouse, Fife

Food and drink events
Picture: Murray Orr

This one-day event will celebrate and explore all things organic, and will take place at Fife’s Bowhouse on 17 June.

The event promises a packed schedule of inspiring talks and workshops, outdoor cooking, tastings, demonstrations and delicious food and drink. There will also be the opportunity to visit the organically farmed cattle and market garden in the fields behind Bowhouse.

Bowhouse has been developed as a place for food and drink producers to transform ingredients from the local land and sea, and for food lovers to come together to taste and talk.

A newly transformed outside area with tunnelled walkways and a grass amphitheatre will be perfect for picnicking and the event will welcome those of all ages.

Find out more and book here.

Royal Highland Show, Ingliston Edinburgh

A Highland cattle is prepared for a previous Royal Highland Show
A Highland cattle is prepared for a previous Royal Highland Show

A major weekend for producers and foodies alike, the Royal Highland Show has been running for hundreds of years.

Taking place from Thursday 22 – Sunday 25 June at Ingliston, visitors will have the chance to see events such as the World Shearing Championships, sample delicious local food and drink at Scotland’s Larder, and enjoy live music at the Royal Highland Hoolie.

Edinburgh Food Festival 

Food and drink events

The Edinburgh Food Festival returns for its ninth edition this July in Assembly George Square Gardens in the heart of Edinburgh.

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The popular event is Edinburgh’s only free-to-enter food festival and will run over ten days from Friday 21 July through to Sunday 30 July.

Visitors can enjoy food and drink from the Global Kitchen, produce to take home from the expanded Producers Market, and a programme of interesting and informative live events in the Treehouse Kitchen.  

Wild Food Foraging (Summer), Loch Lomond

Sea buckthorn is found along Scotland's coasts (Shutterstock)

If you enjoy foraging but want to find out more about what’s available during the summer months, then head along to this one day event that’s taking place on 19 June.

Attendees will be shown how to safely identify wild edible plants and how to use them in cooking. Recipes will be given so you can try them at home.

Tickets cost from £16.50 and are available to buy here.

The Scottish beer festival with the country's 'most unique' bar

Real Ale Festival, Glasgow

Food and drink events
Glasgow Real Ale Festival

Taking place from 15-17 June at the Briggait in Glasgow, this is one for fans of, you guessed it, ale.

Visitors can look forward to 140 different real ales, ciders and beers as well as mead, gin and wine available from the bar, which is run by Corke and Caske. Food will be provided by The Cafe at Kilcreggan. 

The National Whisky Festival of Scotland, Inverness

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Picture: Shutterstock

The Scottish National Whisky Festival is heading to Inverness Eden Court on Saturday 1 July, bringing together a lineup of exhibitors from across the drinks industry spectrum, with hundreds of whiskies and other spirits available to sample over each session.

Dram fans can look forward to live music, an exciting range of guest spirits (including rum, cognac, liqueurs and more); cocktails by industry-leading mixologists; brewery collaborations; food vendors and exclusive masterclasses.

There’s also an on-site bottle shop selling a selection, including festival bottlings.

Whisky production underway at The Orkney distillery

The Scottish Game Fair, Perthshire

Taking place from 30 June until 2 July 2023  at Scone Palace, the Scottish Game Fair offers fun for all the family this summer.

As well as a packed programme of country pursuits, craft and local producer stalls, a kitchen theatre and activities for kids, celebrity chef Nick Nairn will be back heading up the restaurant on-site.

Located by the waterside, Nick will be showcasing Scottish produce and game.

To find out more, visit the game fair website.

Stranraer Oyster Festival, Stranraer

A little later in the year, this three-day festival will take place from the 15-17 September, a few weeks after the start of the UK’s native oyster season.

Launched in 2017, Stranraer Oyster Festival is credited with changing the story of Stranraer, from one of economic deprivation to one of potential.

The festival promises demonstrations and events, as well as plenty of chances to enjoy native oysters.

Find out more by visiting their website.

Known for cake making, experimental jam recipes, Champagne, whisky and gin drinking (and the inability to cook Gnocchi), Rosalind is the Food and Drink Editor and whisky writer for The Scotsman, as well as hosting Scran, The Scotsman's food and drink podcast.
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