A taste of Angus, and a Scottish food festival in the stunning Glamis Castle

​When I got the opportunity to visit Taste Angus,  a Scottish food festival held in the stunning Glamis Castle,  my tastebuds were already tingling.  I love nothing better than discovering a new region by sampling the local food and drink.  Angus, in the east of Scotland,  with the country's first UNESCO City of design,  Dundee,  at its foot and Aberdeenshire to its north is best known,  food wise,  for its hugely popular Arbroath Smokie and its world renowned Aberdeen Angus.  I was about to discover a whole host of exciting and passionate food and drink businesses to rival those big names though and I couldn’t wait.

It's not a region I have spent a lot of time in.  I've previously explored the coast,  swam in the open air pool in Stonehaven and visited the beaches of Broughty Ferry, Montrose and Carnoustie but I had yet to venture inland.  What I found when I did was rolling hills, glens and the cutest little villages I've seen for a long time. ​

Angus is known as the birthplace of Scotland.  It was in 1320 when the Declaration of Arbroath was signed at Abroath Abbey,  declaring Scotland as an independent nation.  If you are visiting make sure to hunt out the many Pictish stones, particularly the ones found in Kirriemuir,  Aberlemno,  St Vigeans and Monifieth.  While you are there sample some food too...

​We were based for the weekend at Glenesk Hotel in the Georgian town of Edzell.  The Victorian period hotel is a credit to the owners,  with knowledgable and helpful staff who did everything possible to make sure we had a fantastic stay.  The hotel was also the perfect start to our foodie weekend,  thanks to a truly astounding collection of whisky.  Over 1000 bottles lined the walls of the traditional whisky room.  A bottle from every Distillery in Scotland,  and plenty more.  Over 200 gins,  70 rums and 70 vodkas complete the collection.
The room I stayed in was lovely,  big and airy with the comfiest bed I’ve slept in for ages!  Decorated traditionally in terms of the walls and carpet it was in perfect keeping with the rest of the hotel.  There was a lovely little tray of goodies with Cadbury’s hot chocolate ,  tea,  coffee and biscuits and the bathroom was ideal (especially the shower - heaven!).
Oh and if you need any more persuading to stay here there is also a swimming pool,  sauna,  steam room,  gym,  hot tub and games room.
Read more about the stunning food on offer here below.
I spent the weekend with fellow bloggers Claire from Foodie Quine and Lynsey from Girl Versus Food and loved spending time with people who love Scottish food festivals as much as me.

88 Degrees, Artisan Chocolatier

As we drove to Kirriemuir,  known as the birthplace of Peter Pan creator JM Barrie,  we took in the surrounding hills and lush green fields.  Why have I never been here before?  It's gorgeous.  A return trip is now on the list.  In Kirriemuir we met the lovely Johanna Woodhead in her cafe,  88 degrees.  In her little studio across the road we spent time creating truffles while she told us about her journey to becoming an artisan chocolatier.  We got to sample some flavours such as the "Adult snicker" flavour (salted caramel, dark chocolate ganache and organic peanut butter) and pink champagne.  My truffles turned out looking like something dropped from a great height but they tasted out of this world and Johanna's handmade chocolates were wee bundles of perfection.  Luckily I got to try some more the next day at Taste Angus.
We also had a look around the cafe which by the time we returned after making truffles had sold out of almost everything on the menu - definitely a sign of a good cafe.  I love little cafes like this,  where the owners know the customers and chat about how their day has been,  much more personal than those big chains.  Little pouches of handmade chocolates and bars of some delicious sounding flavoured chocolate were displayed in little cubby holes on the wall and chalkboards with hand drawn sketches of the chocolate making process hung above the brightly coloured tables.  Cute as a button.
77 High Street,
Kirriemuir,
DD8 4EY

The Gin Bothy, Craft Gin Distillery

With all the chocolate we consumed it was time for a wee drink and we made our way to The Gin Bothy. Created by "the accidental gin maker" Kim this award winning gin is made in the "farm Bothy" which was once the home to a blacksmith. We got to relax in their brand new cosy and warm tasting room and sample all the gins which went down well. I can confirm having never really tried gin I have definitely been converted and I can tell it's just going to be the start of my gin journey, because I fell in love with the raspberry liquor, I'll admit it. I even sampled it some more back at the hotel. And the next day at the festival. Yeah, it's that good. ​The Gin Bothy actually started life as a Jam Bothy and Kim still makes her popular jam today but the gin was born out of the need to use up the excess fruit juices. The team also use lots of Scottish produce like heather, Scots Pine from Cameron country and juniper berries. The only gin distillery to be supported by the Woodlands Trust, £1 is donated for every single bottle sold. You can buy directly from their website and delivery is free and they now do a brilliant box of minis for £30 which is perfect for gifts. There is a Christmas tasting box, a Classic tasting box and a fruit and fizz tasting box - mum if you are reading this......
Kirk Wynd,
Glamis,
DD8 1RT

To read more from Dundee and Angus click here

For more information about Scottish Gin read this post from fellow blogger John from The Real People ​​10 Independent Scottish Gin Makers

Glenesk Hotel

​Back at the hotel we were treated to a scrumptious four course meal courtesy of Executive Chef Graham Campbell, who was once part of The Great British Menu and was the youngest chef in Scotland to receive a Michelin star at 25. Using locally sourced Scottish ingredients, many he has foraged for himself, he creates traditional dishes with a superbly unique contemporary twist. I tucked into hash brown, black pudding and duck egg in a bernaise sauce which I loved, not very adventurious of me considering the other dishes on the menu but after a tiring day I was after comfort food and it filled the need perfectly. The others were more adventurous. The sounds of ooh and aah from the other end of the table told me  the Shetland Scallops with sweet corn, a bisque and crostini was particularly tasty. 
I chose the Yorkies pie of the moment for the main course, again wanting some comfort food and it was served beautifully with seasonal veg and a jus pot. The fluffy chive mash topped a creamy chicken and leek filling and it was actually one of the best pies I've tasted, absolutely delicious. Dessert was a White Chocolate Parfait with strawberries, mascarpone and meringue which was perfectly light and packed full of flavour ending the meal spectacularly. 

A Taste of Angus Food and Drink Festival

After a very comfortable sleep and a full Scottish breakfast, copious amounts of tea and a social media catch up in the lounge the next morning it was time to head to the “A Taste Angus Festival” and the stunning Glamis Castle. I love a good food and drink festival. Good for me means not too big, a fun family atmosphere, music, lots of food to sample, cracking food vans, an impressive list of chefs and a busy, happy vibe. This festival was all that and a bag of paprika coated triple cooked fries! There was an amazing atmosphere throughout the day, families lounged on stripey canvas deck chairs, lazily tapping their feet to the Broon Troon Orchestra playing celtic hits, who were one of many music acts to play over the weekend. Food vans in all shapes and sizes served delicious artisan street food, the Market was packed with the best of Angus food and drink producers, including the two we had met the day before. That gave me the perfect opportunity for another little "sample" of gin and also the chance to buy a dark chocolate Hamish dog for my mum's birthday. I had heard so many people rave about Dundee Cheesecake all weekend that I also had to have a slice of that and I opted for the salted caramel. Oh.My.God, if you ever get the chance....take it! ​

We were lucky to be provided with VIP passes which, as well as priority free parking and a goodie bag with chocolates and a bottle of prosecco, allowed us entry to the VIP tent. Here I chatted to Jacquline O'Donnell, Candice Brown (winner of Great British Bake off) and Nick Nairn, who gave my mum a very sweet birthday message video. The chefs, including Graham from the night before, cooked their signature dishes in the demonstration tent to a packed crowd. The kids were well catered for too with face painting, arts and crafts and a giant inflatable assault Course. This food festival really is the perfect summer family day out. I'll be back...
Glamis Castle is a stunning setting. Home to the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne it’s a fine looking castle. It was the setting for Shakespeare’s Macbeth and also the childhood home to the Queen Mother. It has more of the French Chateau look after being extensively refurbished in the 17th and 18th century but is still said to contain a room where a nobleman played cards with the devil himself. They do tours daily during the summer season and at the weekends during the winter.

"Glamis thou art" "and yet woulds't wrongly win: thou'dst have great Glamis"
Shakespeare

Angus really is home to some of the best food and drink Scotland has to offer. From the Arbroath smokie, which carries the same prestigious status as Parma Ham and Champagne to Aberdeen Angus which is famed all over the world for it’s high quality and the Forfar Bridie which has been produced in the market town of Forfar since the 19th century and is seeking protected status. It has a growing drinks industry, the local Glencadam whisky distillery has a multi-award winning range including a 10, 15 and 20 year old malts. The Arbikie Highland Estate which produced vodka, gin and (nearly ready) single malt whisky, is a single site operation and all the ingredients are sourced from the surrounding land, the mountain filtered water is sourced from their underground vault! Angus also has craft ale breweries and the area is thriving. With all that delicious food and drink, a stunning coastline and the rolling lush green hills and valleys Angus is a must for any Scottish travel itinerary.
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Special thanks to Angus Council and Taste Angus who sponsored our stay at Glenesk and our VIP passes for Taste Angus. Opinions, as always, are my own. Find out more about this fantastic Scottish food festival here

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