Arran is Scotland’s foodie island. Fact. You will be hard pressed to find a more varied selection of food and drink (much of it locally produced), anywhere in Scotland.
Cafés offer delicious home baking with the aroma of freshly ground coffee, whilst restaurants – and pubs – can have menus with creative fine dining choices. For those wishing take away, there are also various high quality ‘take out’ options.
With such an incredible palate to tempt your tastebuds, you would be forgiven for purchasing some of our food to take home and remind you of your Arran-time, or perhaps as a wee gift for the people who weren’t able to come with you – well, this time anyway!
If you’re wanting to enjoy excellent food, flavoured and enhanced by the natural environment of a Scottish island, then Arran is the place to be. So much of our local produce is based on the pure spring water, filtered through granite and pink sandstone, and used in our whisky, beer and botanicals.
This same water also runs through our glens and burns into pastures where our beef, lamb and dairy herds graze. The finest quality milk from the dairy cows at Tigheanfraoch Farm, is used in delicious soft cheeses and incredible ice cream. Roadside honesty boxes will allow you to purchase tatties, eggs, honey and fresh veg. For more information about some of the producers, check out Arran’s Food Journey.
It’s not all about produce though, it’s also about how this incredible larder is used. In most menus, all dietary requirements are catered for, and if you’re in any doubt be sure to ask.
Cafés have amazing homebaking with fresh scones, beautiful cakes and a range of coffees and teas to accompany them. Light lunches offer a variety of sandwich, panini and toastie options, and homemade soups. Try something different, like an Arran Butcher Haggis toastie topped with Arran Cheese!
Restaurants and pop-ups will offer tempting menus from talented chefs using local ingredients to create delicious courses. If you prefer to take away, eat-out options offer fabulous and innovative seafood deli delights, as well as the more traditional fish & chips, and curries. For your Arran picnic, look no further than visiting one of the local outlets that make freshly made filled rolls, pies, pastries or salads and to finish off, have an Arran Ice Cream or try some Arran Oaties, Arran Cheese and maybe a wee drop of Arran Gold – delish!
Arran really is Scotland’s foodie isle. Remember to try some of the local produce – and let your tastebuds do the talking! And if you've brought your pet on holiday, please see our Pet Audit for dog-friendly eating places.
Quirky Island Fact
Quirky Island Fact
Quirky Island Fact