Scotland's Dining Heritage?

[JSFMACLJR]

This is all rather highbrow Highland stuff.

South of Stirling, I'll suggest Irn Bru, to accompany chips and cheese.

Wasn't that the intention of the OP, "Highland" victuals? As for highbrow, I don't see anything out of the ordinary so far: salmon, venison, grouse, cock-a-leekie soup, mince and tatties. Seems quite normal to me.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Jock's mention of grouse reminds me of a story related to me by my uncle's old butler, Mr. McColl. Shorty after the war a group of people came up from London for a week in Scotland, and one of the guests was incredibly rude to the staff-- arrogant, over-bearing, and in the words of Mr. McColl, "a jumped up name dropper, trying to impress everyone with how grand he was". Finally the "enough is enough" mark was reached (and surpassed) and a plot was hatched below the stairs.

That evening at dinner the offending guest was purposely served an over-cooked grouse, which was tough as old boots. As he wrestled with knife and fork trying to cut into bird, it shot off his plate, bounced across the table, and came to rest in front of my aunt who fixed the obnoxious guest with a frosty look and said, "Thank you, but I already have one."

After dinner the party retired for coffee in the drawing room. The obnoxious guest plucked at Mr. McColl's sleeve as he was pouring coffee for someone else, nearly causing a spill, and announced that he'd like a whisky, instead. Without turning a hair Mr. McColl looked at him and with a smile said, "Ah, you'll be The Famous Grouse, won't you sir?" and continued to pour coffee for the rest of the ladies and gentlemen in the room.

In the morning "The Famous Grouse" was back on a train headed South.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Since I can't cook, Baxters "Royal Game" soup is one of my favorites. I love it in the winter...

[JSFMACLJR]

Since I can't cook, Baxters "Royal Game" soup is one of my favorites. I love it in the winter...

Two thumbs up!

[Whidbey78]

Jock's post made me hungry, so now I have to try mint.

For me, smoked salmon, taters (with my wife's secret season blend) and garden beans. Then a decent single malt and cigar afterward in the back yard.

[Bugbear]

Jock brings up red current jam. My grandmother grew black currents (Ribes nigrum) and I remember picking berries in the summer; probably right around this time of year. The patch of bushes she transplanted, which is at least as old as me, is still there and making berries back in N. M.
I always wanted to train one into a bonsai because they have the neatest little leaves.

That's a funny grouse story from MOR.

[ThistleDown]

A lovely evening meal for eighteen we served just a year ago:

First course:

Ardbeg Corryvreckan

Smoked Bits of Trout on Frozen Lemon-Peppered Butter Lettuce
- Warm Limoncella mayonnaise

Chilled Elderflower wine

------- Pause

Second course:

Venison loin, chanterelle mushoorms, herbed four-cheese polenta, Madiera plus

Claret

------- Pause

Third course:

Cranachan

Atholl Brose

------- Pause

Fourth Course:

Gorgoatsilla , scorched oatcakes, juniper jelly

Port selection / Talisker / Lagavoullin / McAllan 25

18 smiling people, but a Sunday and far from a normal evening meal in the Highlands (for that, aff ye go to Tesco and the meals-for-two aisle).

[Jock Scot]

Of course, there is always that Scots delicacy of the battered and deep fried Mars bar.

[ThistleDown]

Of course, there is always that Scots delicacy of the battered and deep fried Mars bar.

Jock, have you ever tried one of those?

Illegal now, but still delicious! Roll your eyes, rub your tummy and say -- all together now -- yumymyum-yummmm,

Not quite as good as rum-soaked pheasant, but set your life aside and enjoy the moment.

Rex

[Jock Scot]

Jock, have you ever tried one of those?

Illegal now, but still delicious! Roll your eyes, rub your tummy and say -- all together now -- yumymyum-yummmm,

Not quite as good as rum-soaked pheasant, but set your life aside and enjoy the moment.

Rex

Oh Yes! In the distant past.

Are they illegal? Perhaps someone ought to tell( perhaps better not!) a certain chip shop in the er, well------- the Highlands!