Christmas dinner made with the produce from the west highlands and islands? We may be biased, but there’s simply no comparison!
Our region’s world-renowned Scotch whisky, smoked salmon, and fresh seafood are known globally for their quality. Supporting these local offerings not only boosts the Highland economy but keeps your carbon footprint in check with low travel miles—so there’s an extra bit of festive cheer knowing you’re helping the environment.
Rumbledethumps anyone?
Picture this: a smoked salmon or seafood starter, followed by hill-raised lamb, quality Highland beef, and perhaps even some wild game. Add in fresh vegetables from nearby farms, locally-brewed ales, and the kind of cheeses and ice creams that only Highland dairy can deliver. It’s a feast that showcases the best of the West Coast, from field to table. And don’t worry if you can’t find room to eat it all in one sitting—those potatoes make for some fantastic Boxing Day dishes like tattie scones, rumbledethumps, and colcannon. For best results, keep extra stuffing, pigs in blankets, and some freshly made chutneys on hand for sandwiches that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
Savour local delights
Highland artisan makers aren’t just limited to savoury delights. Our communities are home to chocolatiers, bakers, and biscuit makers crafting the kind of treats that make holiday desserts irresistible. Whether you’re looking for handmade preserves, pickles, or a unique craft beer, you’ll find local options that bring home the flavours of the Highlands. And don’t forget about the region’s incredible whisky distilleries, ideal for ending the night on a Highland-inspired high note.
Watch out vegans, everyone wants a bit...
If you’re playing host to vegan or vegetarian guests, don’t worry about sacrificing flavour. Plan a few extra servings of your meat-free dishes; they tend to “disappear” onto the plates of the meat-eaters, who just can’t resist a taste. With a little preparation, your veggie-friendly dishes can be crowd-pleasers. For ideas, the Vegetarian Society’s “O Come All Eat Platefuls” guide has a handy list of vegan and vegetarian recipes and tips, including using olive oil for roasties, separating some veggies before they’re tossed in butter, and creating a vegan gravy. Add a few vegan-friendly wines to the table, as some wines are processed with animal products, and voilà—you’ve got a festive spread that everyone will enjoy.
Fassfern Highland Gins
Fassfern Highland Gins were both delighted and shocked to receive the Gold Award in the Festive Gin category at this year’s Scottish Gin Awards. Attending the Award ceremony and dinner as a finalist for the networking experience and to keep updated with current trends in the Scottish Gin scene. So it came as a wonderful surprise for Aaron and his team when they were announced as the Gold medal winner for this year and took to the stage for the first time to receive the award - and what a time of year to win such a prestigious award fortheir Festive product! They send out a big thank you to everyone that made this happen.
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