What to eat Scotland? culinary specialties and gastronomy

Mealtimes and eating habits are not the same in France as in the UK. The deliciously pantagruelic breakfast is followed by a more frugal lunch.Afternoon tea is a perfect in-between lunch and snack with sandwiches, scones, cakes and tea (it can also be served with coffee or more festive drinks in the "gin" version). However, where you have to pay attention to the time is in the evening. Dinner is served at 5 pm. Most of the time, even in medium-sized cities, if you are looking for dinner around 8 pm, you may not find anything to eat in the pubs and you may be turned away in restaurants, which will be full. Also, if you are traveling with your family, be aware that some establishments do not allow children in the evening or after a certain time (sometimes 7 p.m., sometimes 8 p.m.).

The huge breakfast in the morning will allow you to eat light at lunchtime and be quickly satisfied: sandwich in a pub, soup with toast. Even ferocious appetites will be surprised that this is enough for them.

Dine early and cheap: For the evening, think of dining early, very early even. The "pre-theater" or " earlybird " menus are most often served for an order placed between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. and at unbeatable prices. This is the ideal time to eat in a good restaurant for the price of a pub meal.

Eating at the castle or museum: If in France, the snack bars and restaurants at tourist sites are rarely good value for money, it is quite different in Scotland. The cafes, tea rooms, snack bars and restaurants in castles and museums offer fresh, local, home-cooked food at very reasonable prices. Most of the time, they take place in atypical places: stables, old kitchens, etc., for a pleasure that adds to that of the taste buds. These restaurants are, in majority, accessible outside the visit of the site.

It is customary to leave atip in restaurants when you are served at the table. It is usually 10% of the bill. You may be asked, when you pay by card, if you want to leave a tip and how much. Finally, some restaurants include a service line in their bill. This will be indicated on the card.

You will not be served a carafe of water in Scotland, but you can ask for one.

Here, you eat what you want and when you want. If you want to have your fish & chips or hamburger with a tea, it won't raise any eyebrows. The same goes for a sausage roll with a coffee for breakfast. Also, the accommodation of special diets varies considerably from France: everywhere, even in the most remote snack bar on the most isolated piece of land, you will find vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and allergen-free alternatives.

Some establishments are child friendly with children's menus and play areas for toddlers: they are perfect for family outings. On the other hand, others, because of licensing issues related to the sale of alcohol or the presence of slot machines, do not welcome children or only under certain conditions: restricted hours in the evening or limited space in the restaurant.

Restaurants, pubs and cafes are all non-smoking.

The tea rooms often close around 4 or 5 pm, but the pubs are open much later, until midnight, 1 hour or more, depending on the day of the week.

The food in the pubs is very good. At lunchtime, you can have a snack or sandwich (between £5 and £10) or a main course (between £10 and £15). In the evening, prices go up a bit, and you can dine with a main course between £10 and £20. The pub food has its classics, greedy and hearty, not to be missed.

It is possible to enter a pub with children, but some places prohibit minors from entering at certain times (in the evening) or in certain areas (gambling). To consume alcohol, you must be at least 18 years old. If you want to buy alcohol in a supermarket and you look under 25, don't be surprised if you are asked for identification.

You will be amazed, when you discover your first pubs, at the number of beers on offer. There are often at least ten or so tapbeers at the counter, as well as a large number of homemade beers and beers from around the world à la carte. We will be happy to advise you on a beer if you don't know which one to choose and we can even give you a taste. Whisky and gin cards are also well stocked. If you prefer soft drinks, be happy: there is a wide choice to vary from the usual colas, orange soda and traditional fruit juices. Try the Irn Bru, ginger-beers (non-alcoholic, despite the name), elderberry and rose lemonades, vanilla-strawberry soda... There is something for every palate!

Pubs and cafes are non-smoking.