Scottish groceries: A few suggestions

A few last grocery ideas.

The lamb steak is awesome in Scotland. Anything with lamb is good in my book from lamb curry to lamb mince (which I put in spagetti sauce). However, the mince gives off an odd smell when cooked. The mince is inexpensive. The lamb steak on the other hand, is expensive. It is odd for a country full of sheep to have such high lamb prices but that's just the way it is.

I've never had a deep fried Mars bar, because my cholesterol level would kill me afterward. But a deep fried Mars bar is supposedly the coveted cuisine of the tourist looking to experience the unique ways of Scots. I always suggest keeping something in your travel bag to help you fend off hunger. You'd be better off filling up with candy than go into a restaurant or grocery store famished.

You can get Haggis, Neeps and Tatties in the frozen foods but it is not worth it. As you experience haggis in your travels you will experience the different quality. You will know what a good haggis tastes like if you have been properly served in a fine restaurant or B&B. For your first taste of haggis, don't go to the frozen food aisle or buy a can. Bring a can back or open one up after you've had the better haggis. Your first experience should be pleasant. A fresh haggis can taste wonderful. Even my wife agrees, there is a difference in haggis and a quality dinner is very good.

You may look at the rows of soup and not know what brand to buy. I actually preferred the cheaper soup, Granny's. It is inexpensive but tastes very good. It has a bit more sodium but the soup was a staple in my daily life. The soup went well with a sandwich. I highly recommend it for a cheap lunch.

Scottish groceries: Slang

Chips or crisps?

In Scotland, chips are french fries. Crisps are potatoe chips. Both are a staple of Scottish life. Crisps can be very pricey compared to the United States. The bags are smaller and have less content but the varieties of crisps is quite expansive. You can find "baked" crisps but they are very rare. Scots like the traditional crisps. Chips are served with everything. I have witnessed dozens of combinations of dinners with chips as part of the meal. I even witnessed a young girl eating lasagne with chips.

The government understood the health risks of chips and began to take them out of the school. The parents did not support the idea, instead, showed up at the school gates with fast food, crisps and chips for their kids.

Another slang term is "take-away". Instead of "drive-thru", they have take-aways.

Also, you don't stand in line, you stand in a queue, pronounced "cue". It is very important in the UK to stand in queue properly. Cutting in line or being rude is a big mistake. Be patient and stand in queue politely.

A hint: Americans are noisy and obnoxious...if you fit the stereotype. When in queue do not talk about your life, the fascinating things you see, or ramble on about anything. Be quiet, stand in line, and listen to the people around you. You went on vacation to soak in the culture. You will learn a lot about the culture by standing in queue properly. Watch, listen and take it all in.

Save Money Traveling: Groceries

Not to fulfill the Scottish stereotype, but to help you keep your vacation within budget I recommend a few tips. Here's a couple of ideas that may save you money, or allow you to put more money into other things such as purchasing souvenirs or something else.

Self-catering saves you money but it may limit your mobility. If you pick a central location and stay in one place, you can fill up your shelves and refrigerator with stuff. At the same time, you can experience living in Scotland like a local. The grocery store experience puts you in the same circles of the locals.

Instead of buying expensive soda buy this unique product. Fruit Squash.


It is concentrated fruit juice. Mix it with bottled water and you can make it last and spend pennies a day. You can carry it with you as you travel. If you plan to go hiking it is something to think about.

Breakfast is a must, as it fuels you up for a vigorous day of travel. You can buy breakfast foods at the grocery store, experience a good Scottish breakfast and save money as well. Most restaurants are not open for breakfast. I have found the breakfast restaurant is an American thing. The B&B provides a great breakfast, as well as hotels provide something to nibble on in the morning but you may have to wait until lunch to get any food on the road. So if you self-cater, you will need to load up on breakfast goods. You can get a pack (see picture) of good Scottish breakfast staples. I do not like black pudding and you may as well. It is basically pig or lamb blood. Yuck. But some love it.


You can get breakfast cereal easily and it is the same stuff as in the States. Sometimes they put it in different packaging, but you will figure it out.

If you don't want to spend much for dinner, I recommend the margherta pizzas. You can get a two for one pizza deal in any of the grocery stores pretty easily. They are pretty good for frozen pizzas. I would have one every Friday night.

The strongest suggestion to you is to enjoy one really good meal. The lunch menu is usually good until 5pm...so if you eat early you will also save money. But if you take care of getting a good breakfast in the morning, you can have a few extra pounds for a good dinner out. Maybe an extra pint or two.

Scottish groceries: For the self-caterer.

When you look into vacations in Scotland, be aware of the self-catering option. Basically what it means is you buy your own food. As I have said many times, the grocery stores are very good in Scotland and they range in price and quality. The low end being Somerfeld, the middle Tesco and the high end Sainsbury's.

Scottish orange juice comes from South Africa.

Yogurt is available in stores for a good price. Look for deals, similar to the ones in the States...5 for a pound, etc.

Salmon is a good deal. This salmon was on sale for 4 dollars a pound.

Beer is much cheaper in the store, just like in the States. You can get a 12 pack for the same price you would pay in the States. Tennents is the most popular and common beer in pubs.

If you want an American beer, there is Budweiser but there is also Miller. The Miller tastes a little different than the American version and you can get good deals on buying the full pint cans.

You can get Pespi and Coke products the same as you can in the States. They usually come in smaller cans.

For coffee, instant seems to be more popular. Most self-catering accomodations will have hot water kettles. I recommend you go with good old Nescafe or else you may get some really strong Scottish coffee you may not enjoy.


If you really wanta to try something new and uniquely Scottish, you must try Irn-Bru. It is an orange-type soda natives love. Rumor has it, it is good for hangovers. But you will find more Irn-Bru then Coke or Pepsi. My suggestion is you give it a try. It may grow on you.

BLACK CURRANT: Scottish food

One thing I found frustrating while in Scotland was the jam I could buy. I could not find regular grape jelly. Welch's does not sell anything overseas and so, concord grape jelly is out.

The only thing close was black currant jam. And if you ever had it, you may like it but I find it too tart and did not mix well with peanut butter.

I would make a sandwich and go for a hike. Unfortunately, I would take out my sandwich, start to eat it and my face would pucker up with dislike for the fruity jam. It ruined my PB&J.

You could find other jams such as strawberry and raspberry, but I'm a grape jelly guy.

If you stay in Scotland for a vacation it is not a big deal. You can handle the black currant for a week or two. In fact, don't miss a Scottish breakfast if you can help it. The breakfasts are fantastic and will get into more of that tomorrow.

But if you had to eat black currant as your own grape-like jam, you'd get sick of it as well. It's an American thing I guess.

If you have a peanut butter and jam sandwich this week, think about the wonderful taste you take for granted.

Currency: The Curse of Tourism

Curry is a very popular food...at a good price.

Right now, the exchange rate is much better than it was six months ago. One US dollar is worth 0.511 British pounds. Or one pound is worth $1.95. The exchange was worse at over $2.00. You may not think it is a big deal, the 5 cents but it will all add up in the end.

Shopping in Inverness

It is only natural to be confused when you get to Scotland and because the numbers look smaller. 1.00 looks like 1.00...well really its 2.00. Double everything you see and you'll get a better idea how much you are really paying.

Downtown "High Street"of Stirling


Most "American" restaurants such as "Fridays"(in Glasgow) and "Longhorn Steakhouse"(in Stirling) use a menu you swear is from the United States. They got you. You may think you're buying a hamburger for 8.99 when you are actually buying it for 17.00. Comprehend? My advice is to avoid American restaurants (heck you aren't there to do American things). Pubs provide the best deal for the money.

From this sign, it looks like a mixed drink is $10.

I was able to purchase a bowl of soup, roll, and a pint for under 5 pounds in Stirling. A pint will cost you around $4 - $5 in most pubs, but remember a pint in Scotland is a beer and a half in the United States.

My "Thanksgiving" dinner from last year.


I know I'm throwing a lot of numbers around but the bottom line is to be careful eating out. Most restaurants will post their menus at the door. Take a good look and do the math. Edinburgh has some fantastic places to eat, unfortunately when you return home you will get your credit card bill and freak. Use your credit card when you can to get the better exchange rate. However, at the pubs use cash.

Anything resembling a touristy place, will rip you off. If you are not in Glasgow or Edinburh, things are cheaper. You can grab a nice lunch in many pubs. Pubs aren't like bars in the US. Pubs are community gathering places not havens for drunks. Although you may find a few (drunks that is), there is no reason to be afraid.

After a while you will understand how poorly the dollar stacks up against the pound. It is sad. You will wonder how Scots can afford things but I say the same thing when I go to New York City and pay $20 for eggs and bacon.

TRAVEL TIP: Take the Tea...avoid the Coffee

I strongly recommend that when you travel to Scotland that you avoid the coffee. Unless of course you like very strong coffee. But the tea in the U.K. is tops. The tea is better than what you will find in the US by a long shot. I was not a tea drinker until I went to Scotland and now I start each day with a cup of tea...I have coffee later but to start the day with tea is kinder to the body. Ty-phoo is my favorite and can be found in the United States. Click on the logo and go to their site.

If you do insist to have coffee over there...here's a tip. Order the White Coffee. It is a milder version of the normal stuff. You can also ask for an Americano, which is like a latte but not quite.

There are Starbucks and they supply the same types of coffee as US shops but if you are in a restaurant I offer the above advice. The coffee shops will give you what you want, but if you want coffee with your meal or with breakfast...be prepared.

Costa coffee is very popular. Click on the logo to learn more.

TRAVEL TIP: Go to Oban

Go to Oban! One of the places I truly recommend to you is Oban. It is a quaint little town on the coast, looking out at the Island of Mull. From Oban, you can take a ferry to Mull and Iona. Two other places you must go to.

Click on the picture of Oban Bay and see live pictures from Oban.

If you do go to Oban, don't go to McTavish's Kitchen. It is a tourist trap and the food is horrible. You will come back like all the rest saying Scottish food is crap if you got to places like McTavish's. Instead, check out my favorite

seafood restaurant, The Waterfront. Click on the Waterfront logo to go to their website.

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And I challenge anyone to go to Oban and leave thinking that food in Scotland is lousy.

Click on the boat and wine bottles to get a listing of the restaurants in Oban. Go and eat well. Tell your friends that yes, Scotland does have some good food.