Scotland’s foodies should rejoice as our fantastic Scottish producers are filling their calendars with food festivals around the country. They are ready to let you taste their wares, talk about the passion behind their products all while you enjoy a day (or weekend) with like minded people having fun while supporting Scotland’s food producers. Here is a list of some of the best food festivals coming up this year.
March 13-14, SEC, Glasgow – free, but have to register
More of a hospitality and tourism show, it offers an opportunity to meet with suppliers, network with others to share ideas and inspiration, and learn about the latest trends from across the industry.
May 24-26 – ticketed
Visit for the day or camp for the weekend or stay at the Mhor 84 motel, at this festival located on the banks of Loch Voil. Take part in a raft race, cake competitions, bake offs, omelette challenge, there’s lots to get involved in. How about dance classes, circus skills, bushcraft, many things to keep you amused as well as the food element of this festival.
19 May 31 – June 3 - ticketed
FyneFest is a three day celebration of beer, food and music. Taking place in Cairndow, Argyll, at the Fyne Ales brewery estate, FyneFest is a weekend of escapism, accompanied by the best beer, food and music from Scotland and beyond. Book a camping spot and spend the weekend.
Since the original festival took place in 2009, Fyne Ales has worked hard to retain the spirit of the FyneFest as the event has grown – it’s all about good people enjoying good times with good beer, food and entertainment. The festival is proudly family-friendly, offering the full festival experience to anyone of any age (and dogs too).
www.fynefest.com Search for Fynefest on facebook
June 1, 2019, Thainstone Centre, Inverurie - ticketed
Scotland's biggest one-day food and drink festival, held in Inverurie. Last year more than 200 exhibitors pitched up alongside a huge array of cookery demonstrations, beer, wine and gin tastings and live music all day. Demonstrations from John Torode of Masterchef, and Spencer Matthews of Made in Chelsea and runner up in celebrity MasterChef, are on the menu this year. www.tasteofgrampian.co.uk
Ballantrae Festival of Food and Drink
June 8-9 – ticketed
A celebration of local and regional quality food, street food, drink, and demonstrations which is held at Ballantrae Harbour. This year a mini gin festival will take place on the Saturday of the show to celebrate World Gin Day.
June 20-23, Royal Highland Showground, Ingliston, Edinburgh – ticketed
It’s an agricultural event at its heart, but there is a huge food hall showcasing Scotland’s premium food producers and food from elsewhere too, as well as the choice of eating from the many approved food vendors that are all around the grounds. Entertainment throughout all four days.
www.theroyalhighlandshow.co.uk
June 2019 Date tbc - ticketed
Now in its ninth year, Crail’s food festival is held over a weekend, with a programme of food and drink based events and opportunities for producers and public alike. There’s music, children’s activities, indoor and outdoor markets all with good food at its heart. The food market takes place on the Saturday and plays host to a wealth of independent producers from across Fife. Enjoy the samples and talk directly to the producers. www.crailfoodfest.co.uk Tickets go on sale in spring 2019.
July date tbc - free
Since its launch date in 2014 the Edinburgh Food Festival has gone from strength to strength, hosting top industry figures, and welcoming footfall in the region of 25,000.
The free festival is held in George Square Gardens in Edinburgh, offering a fine selection of local producers as well as well known brands and drinks companies, and a grand selection of street food. Quality Scottish food is at the heart of the festival, giving international visitors to Edinburgh an insight into Scotland’s larder.
July 19-21 - free
Family friendly food festival based in Anstruther and featuring local food and producers as well as live music, street theatre, children’s activities, tastings and demonstrations.
www.anstrutherharbourfestival.co.uk
August 2-4 – ticketed
Held at Inverleith Park, with a mouth-watering summer festival of food, live music, workshops, masterclasses and top chefs.
www.foodiesfestival.com/edinburgh-food-festival/
Scottish Food and Drink Fortnight
August 31 – September 15, in various locations
An annual celebration of Scottish produce and the people who buy, cook, serve, sell and enjoy it. Fronted by food ambassadors, and organised by Scotland Food and Drink, it aims to show the diversity of the food sector in Scotland. www.fooddrinkfort.scot
Dundee Flower and Food Festival
September 6-8, Dundee - ticketed
Organised and run by Dundee City Council, the festival encompasses a terrific flower show as well as an exhibition of Scotland’s premium food. A great festival for kids too with lots of entertainment and activities to keep the wee ones happy. There are also entertainment stages, and an exhibition marquee with giant vegetables to view and learn about bees and honey in the wine and honey marquee. Wine marquee… where’s that then?
www.dundeeflowerandfoodfestival.com
September 2019 – tbc – ticketed
The food festival is staged in conjunction with Newmilns art and crafts festival, at Jamieson Park, with food, drink, art and crafts, workshops, demonstrations from chefs and producers, and children’s entertainment.
www.newmilnsfestivalweekend.co.uk
September 13-15, 2019 – ticketed
Marking the start of the oyster season, this celebration of Scotland’s wild, native oysters is planned to be full of fun, festivities and flavour. Top chefs, speakers, entertainers and leading oyster experts gather on the shores of Loch Ryan at Stranraer, for this weekend festival.
www.stranraeroysterfestival.com
October tbc - ticketed
The highlight of Shetland’s foodie calendar. With live entertainment, and cooking inspiration alongside exhibitions from Shetland’s many food producers.
October 26, 2019 – ticketed
An indoor food festival with a huge variety of award winning food and drink. A mixture of entertainment and foodie delights for all the family. From street food to cooking demonstrations, plus the producers market for customers to pick up their favourite foodie treat.
https://www.kirkcudbright.town/event/2019-kirkcudbright-food-festival/
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