Supporting & promoting Scotland’s produce, the people who grow it, make it and sell it.

Every September, Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight celebrates the people, products and places that are championing our industry.

Producers, manufacturers, retailers, foodservice, hospitality, regional food groups and ambassadors. It is time to celebrate the work you do day in, day out to get quality Scottish food and drink on our tables.  

Lindores Abbey Whisky Barrels
Woman holding loaves of bread
2023 Theme

Discover what’s on your doorstep

Our nation’s larder is one of the most diverse in the world, and although we don’t mean to, it’s easy to forget that the products we enjoy day-to-day, or during special occasions, are brought to us by hardworking people operating right under our noses.

This year we’re focusing all of our efforts into encouraging the country to discover the incredible produce from their regions and the businesses across Scotland that are stocked in everywhere from shops, restaurants, cafes and bars to delis and markets.

The gin you enjoy on a Friday evening. The fruits you savour on a summer’s day. The beef and roasted potatoes you share with family on a Sunday afternoon. This year’s Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight is all about celebrating the people across our industry’s supply chain that make all that possible.

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Get involved

Want to get involved?

If you work in or with the industry, take a look at these toolkits to see how you can get involved in the nation’s biggest food and drink celebration.

Events in your region

Get out there and discover what’s on your doorstep this September and beyond. All year round, organisations in your community are organising events that showcase the best of Scottish food and drink. Here's some upcoming events organised by our regional food groups, members and other businesses, celebrating the food and drink available on your doorstep.

SeaFest Peterhead - 9 September

The one-day festival celebrating the region’s seafood sector will take place from 11am to 4pm.

Free to attend, the inaugural family-friendly event at Seagate will ‘shellebrate’ the bounty of the sea at this fin-tastic extravaganza that will highlight the rich fishing heritage of Peterhead, Europe’s largest white fishing port. You can expect:

  • Seafood Markets
  • Live Cooking Demonstrations
  • Seafood Tastings
  • Educational Exhibits
  • Entertainment and Children’s Activities
  • Food and Beverage Stalls

Find out more about the event on the Scotland Food & Drink's news section.

Provenance Festival – 29 September - 8 October 

Join north-east Scotland’s food and drink producers at the Provenance Festival for engaging, hands-on and memorable experiences. 

The 10-day festival, running from Friday 29 September to Sunday 8 October, gives you unique opportunities to get behind the scenes and hear first-hand the stories behind our iconic and sustainable food and drink from the people who make it. 

Events as part of the Provenance Festival take place across the region and include both well-loved and new experiences that celebrate authenticity, regionality and provenance.  

Passionate producers from leading north-east businesses tell you the story of their products and brands – how bees make honey, how a coo turns hay into the highest quality beef, how wind turbines help power production and much, much more. 

Take a look at the list of events and experiences for you to enjoy on Provenance Festival's website.

Farmers’ Market and Open Garden Event - 2 September

The event takes place at the gardens on the Kirkhill Estate in Colmonell between 11am and 4pm.

Entry is just £2 – and children aged 15 and under get in free – and there’s the chance for all those attending to win a prize in a luxury raffle.

For more information contact the Kirkhill Estate on 07883 061440 or email kirkhillevents@gmail.com.

Montrose LandxSea FilmFest – 15-17 September 

Join us on the maiden voyage of LandxSea, a weekend full of inspiring films and thought-provoking conversations designed to spark a deeper connection with our planet. Over the course of three days, we are proud to present a rich selection of 20 new films with guest speakers, discussions, and special events that explore our intricate relationship with land and sea. 

There will be a pop up restaurant at the Montrose Playhouse, hosted by Rae’s. They will be offering a 4-course sustainable menu – showcasing the journey from land to sea: underground, above ground, shoreline and sea. 

Find out more about LandxSea on their website.

Arran Festival of Food & Drink – 13-24 September 

Organised by Arran’s Food Journey, this year’s festival is being held across many venues on the Isle of Arran between the 13th and 24th of September 2023. 

Last year's inaugural festival brought together 24 unique food and drink events across 12 days showcasing 30 of the island's hospitality businesses & community groups - a true celebration of Arran's unique food and drink scene. 

Keep up to date with festival announcements on Arran's Food Journey's website.

The Scottish Rum Festival – 2 September 

Scottish rum producers are at the forefront of a new wave of UK-distilled and blended rums. The Festival, for rum lovers and newbies alike, will introduce audiences to the nation’s finest rum distilleries and blenders through a variety of unique brand experiences, tasting sessions and masterclasses on key topics within the industry. Masterclass panellists include Sir Geoff Palmer, Professor Emeritus and Chancellor of Heriot-Watt University and industry legend Billy Walker. 

Featuring a strong line up of Scottish producers presenting their rums to sip and mix, including: Banditti Club Rum, Base Spirits Collective, Brewdog Distilling Co., Dark Matter Distillers, The GlenAllachie Distillery’s Exploration Rum, Illicit Spirits, IslandSlice Rum, Islay Rum, Jacobites Spirits, J. Gow Rum, Matugga Distillers, Ninefold Distillery, North Point Distillery, Ron Cabezon, Rum Union, SeaWolf and Wester, there will be something to suit every taste and preference. 

The festival will take place in Patina, Edinburgh, and consist of two sessions: an afternoon session from 12:00 to 16:00 and an evening session from 17:00 to 21:00.  

Supported by Scotland Food & Drink and leading commercial law firm Burness Paull, the Festival marks the start of Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight and Scottish Rum Week, giving rum a prominent place amongst the best of Scottish produce. 

For more information and tickets on The Scottish Rum Festival's website

Markets Between Two Firths (monthly, starting from 2 September)

From farmers to bakers, and alcohol to fresh fruit & vegetables, Markets Between Two Firths showcases a real range of what Scotland can produce as well as the people who grow, make and sell it.

Head along to the upcoming markets in St Andrews and Cupar:

St Andrews Market in South Street:

  • 2nd September
  • 7th October
  • 4th November
  • 2nd December

Cupar Market in Crossgate:

  • 16th September
  • 21st October
  • 18th November
  • 16th December

Balgove Larder Night Market – 5 September 

Enjoy shopping amazing local produce direct from the makers and growers. This is your chance to get to know Balgove suppliers. 

For the first time you will be able to tour the Balgove market garden with head grower, Andrew Naughton. Wander the polytunnerls and learn about the wide variety of seasonal veg that is grown at Balgove.  

Make sure you arrive with a healthy appetite. The variety of dishes from local food trucks, along with Balgove's own Steak Barn, Pizza Box and Eat Out, will leave you spoilt for choice. 

There will also be live demos. Executive chef, Roy Brown and Head butcher, James Lothian, will be hosting demonstrations on how best to prepare and cook Scottish reared pork, beef and lamb. You'll be able to sample vibrant, healthy dishes from our expert team. 

Find out more about the Night Market on Balgove's website

 

Bowhouse Market Weekend – 9 September  

The September market weekend at Bowhouse will be harvest themed, and will feature an array of Scottish food and drink traders. More information to be announced soon. 

Find out more about the September market weekend on Bowhouse's website

 

Mushroom Alchemy – 16 September 

Learn how to grow oyster mushrooms from household waste. Join a beginners mushroom cultivation workshop and learn everything you need to know to grow your own oyster mushrooms from household waste. 

Find out more about Mushroom Alchemy on Eventbrite.

Scottish Wild Food Festival – 16 & 17 September 

Embark on a remarkable journey into the heart of Scotland’s wild culinary landscape at the Scottish Wild Food Festival.  

Nestled amidst the breathtaking beauty of Tir an Og, this festival is a vibrant celebration of wild food and foraging, inviting individuals of all ages to reconnect with nature and explore the rich tapestry of local flavours. With dining experiences, foraging walks, wild cocktail making, bushcraft, talks and demos, workshops, live music and even a marketplace there really is something for everyone to get their teeth into!  

Find out more about the event on Scottish Wild Food Festival's website

 

‘Like a Local’ Campaign – July & August 

Hungry for an authentic culinary escapade? Get ready to feast like a true local in Forth Valley! Forth Valley Food and Drink’s new campaign serves up a delectable series of social media videos, dishing out the top-notch spots to brunch, lunch and dine, unlocking the heart and soul of local flavours. 

Discover top-notch local dishes and sweet treats that’ll make your taste buds sing  and unearth hidden gems and must-visit local spots that define the Forth Valley vibe. 

Find out more about the 'Like a Local' campaign on Forth Valley Food and Drink's Instagram page.

Loch Lomond Food and Drink Festival - 2 & 3 September

With cooking classes, a whole host of amazing world street food to sample and lots of vendors selling fresh and packaged artisan food to take home and enjoy, it’s the perfect day out for foodies.

This year’s festival is playing host to two of Scotland’s own celebrity chefs - Tony Singh and Rohan Wadke, who will inspire visitors with their free cooking demonstrations.

Find out more about the Loch Lomond Food and Drink Festival on their website.

Indie Beer Scotland – 8 & 9 September

Indie Beer Scotland returns in 2023 at the brand-new event space ‘Clyde Rooms at Edmiston House’ in Glasgow. With double the number of beers on offer compared to 2022, Indie Beer Scotland is now the country’s largest craft beer festival, featuring over two hundred different cask and craft keg beers from some of Scotland’s best independent craft breweries, plus cider & spirits from independent Scottish producers.

Find out more about Indie Beer Scotland and buy your tickets on SIBA's website.

Black Isle Food and Drink Festival – 23 September 

This year marks the first Black Isle Food and Drink festival! You will be able to watch a series of demonstrations and sample produce from a wide range of local providers including Black Isle Brewery, Loch Ewe Salt and Seaweed,  The Highland Coffee Pod and many more.  

The demonstrators will explore slow cooked lamb (UHI); ways with root vegetables (Storehouse); how to make the best coffee with the equipment available (Vandyke Brothers Coffee); how to prepare a seafood platter (Profish); and ways of preserving food (Penny and Martin). 

Find out more about the Black Isle Food and Drink Festival on Culbokie Community Trust's website.   

 

Hearst and Gaither – 30 September 

Highlands & Islands Climate Hub and Highland Good Food Partnership are encouraging groups to gather together for a harvest (hearst) gathering (gaither) during September. 

This year they’re making it super easy to take part, with several simultaneous gatherings happening at regional hubs all over the Highlands including Elphin, Lochaber and Inverness. 

It's a great opportunity to meet like-minded folk in your area and celebrate and share local, sustainable good food whilst enjoying workshops, discussions and maybe even a ceilidh. 

Find out more about Hearst and Gaither by emailing hello@highlandgoodfood.scot  

 

CSA and Small Farm Gathering in Scotland -  16-17 September 

Join a gathering for CSAs, agroecological farms, crofts and market gardens. Meet each other, share food and ideas.   

On the Saturday there will be a tour of Glachbeg Croft with speaker sessions on the theme of resilience, including climate change and weather-proofing your farm, looking after personal wellbeing in farming, establishing financial resilience and how policy affects resilience.   

On the Sunday, there will visit Black Isle Brewery Market Garden and Knockfarrel produce. 

Community supported agriculture (CSA) is a partnership between farmers and consumers in which the responsibilities, risks and rewards of farming are shared.  The main principle of CSA is the community supports the farmer through a direct connection, in returning ensuring their own food sovereignty and sustainable and transparent food production.  

Glachbeg Croft is an educational centre for children, community events and adults with special needs with a wide range of agricultural activities. 

Black Isle Brewery  grows produce for their bars from their market garden, Hebridean sheep and cattle, and also hosts a rewilding project.  

Knockfarrell Produce is an organic, carbon negative mixed farm and CSA. 

The event is run in partnership with Highland Good Food Partnership, Land Workers Alliance and Organic Growers Alliance, with support from The Pebble Trust. 

More details and tickets for the CSA and Small Farm Gathering in Scotland are available on Eventbrite.

Stirling SpiritFEST – 27 October – 5 November 

Stirling SpiritFEST is a 10 day celebration of Scottish spirits and beyond. Incorporating the annual Stirling Gin and Whisky Festivals, Stirling SpiritFEST 2023 runs from 27 October through to 5 November. 

The festival offers a range of spirit workshops and masterclasses and will include a range of drinks-based events including a rum masterclass, at venues across Stirling mid-week. 

Find out more about the events happening during SpiritFEST on Stirling Distillery's website

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