Big British Food Map Eating Edinburgh fare

Date Published:

23/07/2008

Andrew tucked in to Scotland's culinary capital and sampled the best of Edinburgh fare

Food to get me in the mood

My Scottish adventures continue. I'm concentrating on the East Coast now, Perthshire and Edinburgh way. Tomorrow I'm interviewing Fletchers of Auchtermuchty about their venison. I've checked into An Lochan in the village of Glendevon, about 30 mins away. To get me in the mood I had roast venison stalked by Winston Churchill; the deer stalking company, not the ex PM. The group also provides some venison to Loch Fyne, who in turn smoke it and supply it to Cafe Gandolfi amongst others - love these food chains! Also on the menu at An Lochan are Scottish langoustines - going some way at least to debunking the 'it all goes to Spain' statement.

Fields of green

Great day with Fletchers. It was fantastic to see the entire process, from the deer in the field to the cutting room to Nicola cooking some for me. The sun even put in an appearance. A word here about the Scottish weather: everywhere I've been it's normally rained, or at least been a bit grey - like living in Tupperware. But everyone has said: 'when the sun's shining, this place is paradise', and today it was. I finally understood what they meant. So much so I sun burnt!

Free to enter the food chain

I've been staying at An Lochan Country Inn in Glendevon for the past two days. After chatting with the owner and chef about what I'm doing, they invited me to go with John, the kitchen porter, to pick up some lambs that they've ordered. We're to collect them from a small family run slaughter house in Dunblaine called Stephensons. I'm amazed how quiet it is, not that I expected mooing and such, but there's just the noise of machinery, and the trains passing through the station next door. I'm not allowed in the slaughter house itself but do spend some time talking to Stuart Stephenson and some of the farmers who've brought their animals in. One such farmer was Hamish from Brig Farm shop up at the Bridge of Earn in Perthshire. He also supplies An Lochan with Highland beef. This photo is of one of his cow's 'passports' that all animals entering the food chain must have.

Had a day exploring 'auld reekie'. Stumbled on a place not on the map called Echo Vino. Great place for a sit down, a think and a glass of wine. Edinburgh is a great city...looking forward to the farmers market this weekend, suggested by map user, JP.

Went to Artisan Roast yesterday, suggested by map user, coffeelover. You've been to places that grind their own coffee, right? Well this place roasts it. Needless to say the coffee was amazing.

I didn't know they'd gone away

Hit the farmers market today. The town is gearing up for the festival, which means there's all sorts going on, from large pipes and drum parades to buskers with guitars doing old rock tunes. Of course they say an army marches on its stomach, so the restaurants - particularly the bars in this lovely weather - are doing a roaring trade. Best thing I've seen so far? A sign in a cafe saying: 'Haggis samosa's [sic] are back,' - now that's fusion food for you.

A view fit for a king

It was my day off today so I climbed up to Arthur's Seat in Holyrood park, which gives you an amazing view over the city. Then went to the Cafe Royal Oyster Bar, just off Princess Street, for a fix of the magical molluscs.

Last week Andrew was hiking up the Highlands.

Next week he's off to the Edinburgh festival.

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