Travelling Gluten free in Scotland

**lukeyrobertson** · 10th April 13, 06:32 PM

I leaving for Lewis, Inverness, Pitlochry, Mull, Iona, Glasgow and Edinburgh in a couple of weeks. Would any of the locals on the Forum have any suggestions for grocery stores and eateries that offer GF products? I am celiac and need to be careful, including dairy.
I appreciated the thread about GF haggis as well. Are oat cakes generally wheat-free?
This is my first visit to Scotland so it's all new to me. Thank you in advance for your advice and help.
David

**Nile** · 10th April 13, 06:59 PM

Originally Posted by lukeyrobertson

Would any of the locals on the Forum have any suggestions for grocery stores and eateries that offer GF products?

David,
Thank you for posting that question. My wife has Celiac and is gluten and dairy intolerant as well. We are planning to visit Scotland (many of the same places) in 2014 and will have the same concerns. Otherwise, I envision a suitcase dedicated to gluten free food.
Nile

**JohntheBiker** · 10th April 13, 07:03 PM

Honestly, you are not going to find the range of GF product that you are used to at home. Oat cakes are not GF unless specifically labeled. Scottish breakfasts are ok, less bread or toast. Meat, seafood and salads are a staple. You are going to miss out on beer (shame). But there is always scotch or cider. Groceries stores are similar to home, just generally smaller.You will wonder about eggs on a shelf rather than in a bunker. All in all, not that much different.

No more challenging travelling as a celiac in Scotland than in most other places. Good luck and enjoy!

**JohntheBiker** · 10th April 13, 07:05 PM

Originally Posted by Nile

David,
Thank you for posting that question. My wife has Celiac and is gluten and dairy intolerant as well. We are planning to visit Scotland (many of the same places) in 2014 and will have the same concerns. Otherwise, I envision a suitcase dedicated to gluten free food.
Nile

There is always that option too.

**John_Carrick** · 11th April 13, 12:32 AM

All the main supermarket chains have reasonable "Free From" sections. If your hotel does not have gluten free bread you can get your own. Genius bread is one of the better brands. Nairns make a gluten free brand of oatcake.There is no shortage of health food stores. 1% of the population are coeliac. Food labelling is reasonably strict and wheat/gluten are usually indicated as allergens as well in the ingredients.
In Kirkwall I found a fish and chip shop that offers gluten free options and many cafes, pubs and restaurants across the UK will often have options on the menu or the chef will sort you out.
Draft cider is a suitable alternative to beer.
I personally have a holiday relaxation rule, especially when I go for a nice meal and my problem is eating too much.
John
PS The gluten free produce in Ireland is very good

**Kiltedjohn** · 11th April 13, 01:15 AM

Have you looked at http://glutenfreetraveller.com/tag/scotland/ ? You may have found this already, as it came up straight away on a google search. I have spent time in various of the places you mentioned, so am sure you will have a great time. (I don't have a gluten problem, though.) I love the area around Pitlochry - my aunt used to live by Loch Tummel, so spent many holidays up there.

**Pleater** · 11th April 13, 02:05 AM

If your destination is like this area, the same name of supermarket could easily stock different amounts of gluten free foods, and in different areas, that is some might display it all together and some have specialist sections around the store.

I only notice the gluten free so as not to pick it up by accident where it is more integrated into different areas, but it is something which has definitely increased in availability over recent years.

When travelling around you'll probably be exasperated by finding one store where there are plenty of gluten free options and one of the same name with scarcely any.

A while ago I absent mindedly spooned dried coconut milk into my porridge - not the most obvious combination but - interesting, and that would be gluten and dairy free.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 11th April 13, 03:48 AM

I was going to recommend Nairns, as well, because I believe they have a whole range of gluten free snack products, and you should be able to find them at most any grocery store. So great for nibbles. Not sure what to tell you about dining out, though. If you plan on staying in B&Bs I would definitely recommend you make mention of this fact when you make your reservation; I imagine most hosts would be accommodating. Enjoy your visit!

**JohntheBiker** · 11th April 13, 06:03 AM

In fairness, there is a lot more product and accommodation in the UK than anywhere else I have travelled in Europe.

**Jock Scot** · 11th April 13, 06:12 AM

I suppose as a local and not having a need for gluten free goods I cannot comment helpfully. But it might be worth you knowing the LARGE(as opposed to the small ones and they might stock the goods too ) Tesco store at Inverness has a large section catering for that particular need.I saw it the other day, so they are obviously catering for a need.