A Foodie's Journey Through Scotland

Edinburgh and the Isle of Skye

Well, after saying I probably wasn’t going overseas in 2025, I am back on another adventure. In October I will take my fourth trip to the beautiful land of Scotland. This time, I'm not just visiting for the sights but also for the bites! I've been to Edinburgh before, and I absolutely love it, but this trip is special because I will explore the food of Scotland in a new way.

Scotland is like a magical land where every corner has a story to tell. I've been to Edinburgh and the Isle of Skye four times now. Each time, I left with my heart full of joy from the landscapes and my camera full of pictures. This time, I'm taking my Leica Q2 Monochrom with its 28mm lens. It takes black and white photos that make everything look like a work of art. I am hard at work trying to figure out the best way to edit these photos for maximum effect!

I've once again chosen Rabbie's Tours for my journey to Skye because they offer a brand new tour called "Taste of Skye - Wild Landscapes & Local Flavours." This is a three-day trip where I will taste the food of Scotland and sample whiskeys from the Talisker Distillery on the Isle of Skye. That's what this tour is all about.

https://www.rabbies.com/en/scotland-tours/from-edinburgh/2-4-day-tours/taste-skye-wild-landscapes-and-local-flavours-tour-3-day-tour

I will arrive in Edinburgh on a Wednesday for one night before the tour on Thursday. This city is old but feels new every time I visit. Walking on the cobblestone streets is like stepping back in time. But it's not just about the old buildings; it's about the food too. Edinburgh has many places to eat, from small shops selling cakes to big restaurants with fine dining. I plan to eat my way through the city, tasting everything from traditional haggis to modern Scottish dishes with a twist. And I’m still looking for a traditional fish and chips that can compare to Anselmo’s in Dunoon!

And coffee. Lots of coffee shop visits!

Leaving Edinburgh, the tour will take me through Glencoe. Glencoe is a valley with mountains that touch the sky. Probably made most famous from the James Bond film, Skyfall, the scenery here is so beautiful that it's hard to believe it's real. I've seen it before, of course, but each time, it feels like the first. The mountains are so high, and the lochs are so calm. I'll take lots of photos here, capturing the quiet and the wild of Scotland. The monochrome Leica will make these landscapes seem even more dramatic, like old paintings. (Fingers crossed!)

Then, we'll go to the Isle of Skye, my favorite spot in Scotland. Skye is an island full of wild beauty. There are cliffs that seem to fall into the sea, and hills that look like they're from another planet. The weather can be wild, with rain and wind, but that makes the landscapes even more breathtaking. On this tour, I'll not only see these sights but also taste the food that comes from this land. Skye has its own whiskey, cheese, and seafood, and I can't wait to try them all.

Here are just a few things I hope to accomplish on this trip.

• Capture Scotland in Black and White: With my camera, I want to show how Scotland can look without colors. The shapes, the shadows, they tell a different story when you see them in black and white.

• Understand Scottish Food: Food tells stories about people and places. By eating local dishes, I'll learn more about Scottish culture. Each meal will be like reading a page from Scotland's big book of history.

• Share My Journey: I'll share photos and stories from my trip. I hope to show others how amazing Scotland is and maybe inspire them to visit too.

• Connect with Nature: Scotland's landscapes are not just pretty; they make you feel small and part of something big. I want to feel that connection again, especially in places like Glencoe and Skye.

• Learn Something New: Every trip teaches me something. Whether it's a new word in Gaelic, a story about the land, or how to make a traditional Scottish dish, I'm always learning.

Stay tuned for more stories, photos, and maybe even some recipes! Until then, dream of Scotland's landscapes and prepare your taste buds for an adventure like no other.