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- Cooking Vacations to Scotland: Undiscovered Scotland Culinary Tour
Undiscovered Scotland Culinary Vacation
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Scotland Food Tours 2026
Your home for this unique Scottish cooking vacation is Dalriada, once the kingdom of ancient Scotland, which is located in the unspoiled coastal region known as the Mid Argyll. Stay near Dunadd, the historical capital of Scotland, where Scottish kings used to be crowned, and experience the wild and wonderful nature of rural Scottish life in this unique Scottish Highlands area. Our excursions for our week long Scotland culinary vacations vary by season, and might include such fun trips as guided whiskey tastings, visits to Scottish islands, excursions to castles, forts, stone circles, and more.
Scotland has a wealth of natural products that you will discover on your cooking holiday in Scotland, and that you will use to create your meals. Produce from the rich mountains and glens, wild game from the moorlands, venison from the mountains, salmon and trout from the rivers, shellfish of all kinds from the sea, and beef and lamb from the Highland herds: all will delight you during your Scotland tour. You will use these ingredients and more to create a wide variety of delicious feasts featuring traditional and modern Scottish dishes.
The presentation and delivery of this Scottish cooking and cultural vacation will be very informal, friendly and personal. The cooking classes are based in a traditional Scottish family style fully equipped kitchen and each Scottish cooking vacation will be limited to a maximum of 4 guests. Participants can expect a fun week experiencing the ‘real’ Scotland combining traditional Scottish culture along with delicious Scottish food. You can expect to dine with the locals on at least one occasion as neighbors and friends will always be invited to dinner to sample the amazing dishes we have prepared.
Scotland Cooking Vacation Details
Your week long culinary vacation in Scotland includes everything you would expect from a cooking vacation with The International Kitchen, including:
- 3 cooking classes in a family-style kitchen
- cultural excursions exploring the Scottish countryside, towns, and history
- accommodations in a charming private cottage
- meals as indicated
- and more!
Itinerary
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The following is a sample itinerary only! Depending on your chosen month of travel, the excursions experience may vary. Scotland benefits from long summer days from the beginning of May to late August when daylight remains until around 11.00 pm, but offers fantastic visitor experiences during most seasons. Please inquire with dates and we’ll finalize the best itinerary with you!
Day One – Saturday
- Arrival at Glasgow airport and private transfer to the Mid Argyll (earliest pickup time is 12:00 noon). Upon arrival check in to your cottage, and relax and settle in.
- Depending on the time of year, you may wish to go for a walk to explore the local area.
- Tonight, an informal welcome meeting and dinner at the cooking school, with a whisky tasting. Please note: the cooking school is located about 400 yards from your accommodation at the cottage. Access is along the old towpath road of the Crinan Canal, a flat, safe, quiet road with a smooth surface and very picturesque. You will walk between your cottage and the cooking school at various times throughout your stay.
Day Two – Sunday
- Breakfast most mornings will be at your cottage, and you will help yourself from the fresh provisions supplied for you, and the stores will be restocked during your stay as needed. (Please let us know of any special requests!).
- Today you will be able to start your explorations of the area with a visit to the nearby Kilmartin Museum. The museum has recently reopened again in the summer of 2024 after going through a £4,000.000 renovation. (Transfers to and from the museum are provided, the visit itself is self-guided.)
- Lunch will be provided for you at your cottage.
- In the afternoon free time to continue your explorations. You may want to explore the picturesque Crinan Canal, or your hosts can make other suggestions.
- This afternoon around 4pm your first cooking class, with dinner to follow based on your efforts.
Day Three – Monday
- Breakfast, and then enjoy a visit to the island of Arran and the Lochranza whisky distillery – OR – have a visit to the Mull of Kintyre and Campbeltown distillery. Other activities can also be substituted according to your interests and the season. Lunch will be a picnic box.
- Return to your cottage, free time to rest or explore on your own.
- This evening, dinner is at a typical Scottish pub, Tayvallich.
Day Four – Tuesday
- Breakfast at your cottage.
- Today, a full day visit to Oban, where you will have a guided tour of Dunollie castle, a pub lunch in Oban and a visit to the Oban distillery.
- Return to your cottage for some free time.
- Tonight dinner is at a local Scottish pub in Kilmichael Glen.
Day Five – Wednesday
- Breakfast, followed by your next cooking session around 10 am.
- Lunch to follow at the cooking school.
- This afternoon, enjoy a walking exploration of the Kilmartin Valley. Your vacation is based in one of the most historically significant areas of the United Kingdom, and your walk (on mostly flat ground) will take you back through 5000 years of history. You will see some of the most beautiful countryside in Scotland, and will experience standing stones, stone circles, cairns and rock carvings that date back to the Bronze Age.
- Dinner will be served at the cooking school this evening, and some local friends might join us for a whisky tasting.
Day Six – Thursday
- Breakfast at the cottage. This morning is free. Some of the areas you might explore on your own: the Crinan canal, Ardishaig and Lochgilphead, Dunardry forest, or the Dalriada Heritage trail. Your hosts will provide details and maps for you.
- Lunch will be served at your cottage.
- This afternoon you will be given the opportunity to explore the local area and town.
- Dinner is at a local Scottish pub in Kilmartin.
Day Seven – Friday
- After breakfast, beginning around 10 am, you will have your last cooking course.
- Lunch to follow based on your efforts.
- Afternoon at leisure to enjoy your last day in Scotland!
- Dinner tonight is served at the cooking school and will be the Scottish speciality ‘High tea.’
Day Eight – Saturday
- Breakfast, and departure to Glasgow city center via coach from Cairnbaan. (You can transfer to the airport from there.) Please note that the earliest you can arrive back in Glasgow city center is around 10:30 am.
Trip Details
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Included in Your Scotland Cooking Holiday
Accommodations7 nights accommodations in private cottage
Food & Beverages- 7 daily breakfasts, (self-catered) at your cottage, which will be stocked with a range of Scottish breakfast goodies for you to help yourself.
- 7 Lunches
- 4 Scottish dinners served at the cooking school
- 3 dinners out at traditional Scottish pubs
Classes & InstructorsYour culinary host for this vacation will be Brian Gibbons, supported by Jane Chaplin. Both Brian and Jane have had many years’ experiences in traditional and modern Scottish cooking. They are both enthusiastic about food and all that is involved in Scottish cooking. Your 3 Scottish cooking sessions will be 3 to 4 hours each, including a dedicated Scottish baking session.
Some of the items you might prepare or sample:
- Cullen skink (Smoked fish soup)
- Fresh local mussels.
- Gravlax (Preserved and cured fish)
- Scottish Oatcakes, sweet and savoury scones, and shortbread
- Traditional Scotch pies, normally made from mutton or lamb.
- Cranachan (oatmeal raspberry, cream, oats, dessert)
- Sticky Toffee pudding, a classic desert with a Scottish twist.
- Haggis, the famous Scottish delicacy. (Please note we do not make this as part of a cooking class, but you will have the chance to sample it!)
Some of the dishes will vary according to the season.
Excursions- Full day guided excursion to Oban with included visit to Oban distillery, Dunollie Museum and a pub lunch
- Full day excursion to Arran or Kintyre*
- Whisky tasting sessions
- Scottish High Tea
- Visit to Kilmartin museum
- Kilmartin archaeological sites guided walk (Wednesdays only)
*Please note there could be seasonal variations, and there are other optional excursions that can be proposed on request.
Transfer Details- Arrival from Glasgow airport: earliest airport pick up time is 12:00 noon.
- Departure transfer by coach (bus) from Cairnbaan to Glasgow city center. Please note that the earliest you can arrive back in Glasgow is after 10:30 am (this may necessitate a post night in Glasgow if you have a morning flight).
If you choose to fly in and out of Edinburgh there are shuttle services that you can take between Edinburgh and Glasgow. Please inquire for details.Miscellaneous- Local guided walks for the collection of wild foods to be used in the cooking classes (based on season/weather)
- Whiskey tasting session
Accommodation Information
Your home away from home will be a genuine, private Scottish cottage.
Karibu Cottage
Karibu cottage, your home for your Scottish vacation.
The cottages on the Crinan Canal.
Living room at the cottage in Scotland.
Bedroom at the cottage in Scotland.
The cottage garden.
Kitchen at the cottage in Scotland.
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Scotland Cooking Vacation Tour Pricing & Dates
Find pricing and dates for our week long Scotland food tours below, and contact us for availability or to book your trip.
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Scotland Cooking Vacation 2026 Pricing
See moreUS$3225 per person based on double occupancy
Please note for 2 people sharing the 2-bedroom cottage there are no single supplements.
30% deposit due to confirm booking.
Balance payment due 90 days prior to tour start date. Questions? Please contact us!
Scotland Cooking Vacations Tour Dates
See moreOur Scottish cooking vacations are generally available April through October.
2026
Sample dates- please inquire for availablity!March 26-April 2
April 11-18
April 18-22 – sold out
April 25-May 2
May 2-9 – sold out
May 9-16
May 16-23
May 23-30
May 30-June 6
June 6-13
June 20-27
July 4-11
July 18-25
August 1-8
August 15-22
August 22-29
September – please inquire
October 3-10
October 10-17
October 17-24
October 24-31
