What better way to enjoy the summer season than at one of these Scottish food and drink festivals?
We’ve picked out a range of foodie events taking place across Scotland, all easily reached by train. Each festival will showcase local and continental cuisine, and have great entertainment including circus acts, music and dance.
Taste of Grampian
A trip to the Taste of Grampian food festival on Saturday, 3 June at P&J Live is a great day out for the whole family. The festival will feature high quality local produce from the north-east, and there will be stalls of Scotch Whisky retailers, fresh ice cream producers and local distillery experts. You will also have the chance to attend chef masterclasses from Poppy O’Toole, the self-titled potato queen, and Saturday Morning star, James Martin. The entertainment line-up is yet to be announced but promises to offer something for all age groups.
Nearest station: Dyce is a 30-minute walk
Great British Food Festival
The Great British Food Festival returns for its second year, and is taking place at Dalkeith Country Park on Saturday, 10 June and Sunday, 11 June. The festival has a terrific line-up, offering circus, comedy and live music acts alongside various celebrity and local chef demonstrations. It’s a dog friendly event, so you’re welcome to bring along your fluffy friends.
Nearest station: Eskbank is 25-minute walk
Royal Highland Show
The easiest way to get to the Royal Highland Show is by tram, hopping on in Edinburgh city centre and jumping off at Ingliston Park and Ride; it’s then just a 15-minute walk to the South Entrance of the Royal Highland Centre where the festivities take place. The world-famous show runs from Thursday, 22 June until Sunday, 25 June. It offers a terrific daily line-up of events, ranging from food demonstrations to timed sheep shearing contests. The show is populated by talented farmers, skilled show jumpers and forestry experts giving various demonstrations throughout the day.
Nearest station: Catch the tram from Edinburgh Waverley, Edinburgh Park, or Edinburgh Gateway stations.
Loch Lomond Shores: Summerfest
The Loch Lomond Summerfest is back on 1 July for a two-day event. Taking place at Loch Lomond Shores, the festival will showcase live entertainment, including music and dance, plus a range of shopping and food stalls. It's a great day out for everyone, including families, in a stunning location.
Nearest station: Balloch is a 5-minute walk
Edinburgh Food Festival
Taking over Edinburgh’s prestigious George Square just before the official opening of the 2023 Fringe, the Food Festival is back on 21 July to 30 July with new cuisine for you to sample. The festival is filled with vans offering a real variety of street food from across the globe. Previously hosting Portuguese, Spanish and Japanese cuisines, the event gives you the chance to try new delicacies and enjoy British classics, with fish and chip and burger vans also on site. George Square is a scenic 15-minute walk from Waverley Station; walk up the Mound and along George IV Bridge and you will pass some of the city’s most famous landmarks, including Edinburgh Castle and Greyfriars Bobby.
Nearest station: Edinburgh Waverley is a 15-minute walk
Stirling Highland Games and Gathering
The Stirling Highland Games takes place at Stirling Sports Village on 19 August. The festival showcases traditional Highland games, including Highland dancing, tossing the caber and adaptive heavyweights, giving visitors the chance to enjoy some of Scotland’s rich traditional history. There will be a traders village where visitors will be able to meet and buy from a range of food and drink producers. There’s also the chance to join in on the day’s sporting festivities by taking part in the festival’s visitor races, while kids can enjoy their own mini Highland Games at the activities challenge area.
Nearest station: Stirling is a 20-minute walk