Tour Details
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Product Type
- Tour
- Venues
-
- Shortbread bakery
- Scottish Cheese shop
Photos & Highlights
- Visit hidden gems with a local foodie, getting an insider's perspective on Edinburgh's food scene.
- Enjoy a private tasting at George Mewes, a beloved local cheese shop
Select a date
Tour Description
Forget everything you think you know about Scottish food. Dive into the Stockbridge neighborhood with a local food lover to indulge in an explosion of flavors, tasting everything from age-old traditional dishes to playful reinventions of well-known recipes.
Our local foodie will unveil the fascinating history of Scottish cuisine along your route. As you taste your way through town, you’ll learn how humble oats, bountiful seafood, and fresh vegetables have nourished generations of Scots and discover how global trade ignited Edinburgh's palate with exotic spices, sugar, and fruits.Â
Stop in at George Mewes along the way, a haven for Scottish cheese, where expert cheesemongers will guide you through a private tasting of perfectly-aged, award-winning artisan cheeses. A drizzle of honey on blue cheese is an unexpected revelation that will have your taste buds buzzing.
Stop in at George Mewes along the way, a haven for Scottish cheese, where expert cheesemongers will guide you through a private tasting of perfectly-aged, award-winning artisan cheeses. A drizzle of honey on blue cheese is an unexpected revelation that will have your taste buds buzzing.
Are you a peat lover? Let your guide know and you might have the opportunity to top off your culinary journey with a glass of traditional Scottish whiskey.
Ditch the preconceived notions on this tour and open your appetite to playful variations on iconic dishes, like haggis bon bons or scotch eggs, transforming your perception of Scottish cuisine. Get ready for a whirlwind of exciting and unexpected culinary surprises, guaranteed to leave you with a newfound appreciation for Edinburgh's food scene.Â
- You’re ready to ditch your preconceived notions and discover the delicious reality of Scottish food.
- You’re interested in eating like the locals eat while also understanding how local ingredients and global trade shaped Scottish food culture.
- You like to get to know a city through its food scene with a local.Â
- George Mewes Cheese Shop
- Local shortbread shop
- Other local shops, as customized by your guide
- What You’ll Taste
- Award-winning Scottish cheeses
- Haggis bon bons or Scotch eggs
- Scottish shortbread, Queen Victoria’s favorite sweet treat
- Perhaps a traditional Scottish whiskey will round out your culinary journey
- These tastings can replace a meal, but for the extreme foodies, a small bite or sweet treat after the tour may be welcome.Â
- We are taking you to local establishments that are often family-run, hours and availability may vary.
- Dietary restrictions should be shared in advance in order to possibly adapt the tour.Â
Additional Trip-Planning Resources
- A few things that pair well with this tour:
- An empty belly and an open mind
- A deeper dive into the history of the city with our Introduction to Edinburgh Tour: Exploring Old Town
- Comfortable walking shoes and a jacket for pop-up showers
When does this tour take place?
Tours will usually begin at 10 am or 2 pm.Â
Will the tastings be enough for a meal?
Many guests find the tastings filling enough, although some will stop into a nearby cafe afterward for a small bite.
I have dietary restrictions. Can I take this tour?
We will do our best to accommodate you if you are on a group tour by ordering appropriate items. Taking a private tour would allow us to tailor even more fully to your needs. Please note that if you have severe allergies we cannot guarantee that the foods prepared in restaurant kitchens will not be subject to cross-contamination.
We understand that some of our valued guests may have mobility concerns, and we want to ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience throughout your tour. If there are any accessibility concerns that your tour guide will need to be aware of, please let our team know at the time of booking.
Is this tour wheelchair-friendly?
This tour is not walking intensive, but many of our stops are located along narrow cobblestone streets which can be difficult for wheelchair users to navigate. Not all restaurants have an accessible entrance.Â
Please notify us of any accessibility issues so we can adapt tour stops accordingly.Â
Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.
Where You'll Start
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44 Reviews
Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.
Irene was AWESOME! The food tour was one of the highlights of our trip and we plan to do more in the future.
Luis
Nov 16, 2021
Our guide was lovely and had excellent knowledge but she had no relationships with any of the businesses we visited except the first. Relative to the price, this Context tour was awful. There needed to be something special, unique or of higher value. As an example, I would have loved to have met the cooks at the Indian food place and had a cooking demo --- even a small one that showed that Context has done some work to have relationships with the businesses that make food special or interesting in Edinburgh.
Denise
Sep 27, 2019
Charlotte was an amazing guide- so smart, knowledgeable and fun to be with. She not only taught us about the food scene, she truly explained the history and political context for the food. One of the best food tours or walking tours we have taken in many many years of travel.
Joanna
Sep 22, 2019
