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- Cooking Vacations to Scotland: Undiscovered Scotland Culinary Tour
Undiscovered Scotland
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Select Your Trip Details
Scotland Food Tours 2024-2025
4-night itinerary also available – please inquire!
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 will include such fun trips as guided whiskey tastings, visits to the 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:
- 4 cooking classes in a family-style kitchen with local Scottish cook Jane Chaplin
- 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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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. Meet with your instructor Jane, then relax and settle in for a couple of hours.
- Depending on the time of year, you may wish to go for a walk to explore the local area or just relax.
- Dinner will be served at the cooking school around 7 pm when you will have an informal meeting to discuss further and plan the aspects of your stay and ask any questions that you may have. 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!). One morning you will have a full Scottish breakfast at the cooking school.
- 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 at 1.30pm.
- 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. You might make any of the following dishes during your cooking classes this week: Cullen skink (smoked fish soup), Braden Rost (hot smoked salmon), oatcakes and oatmeal baps, Scotch pies, Cranachan (dessert), and yes, even haggis.
Day Three – Monday
- Breakfast, and then enjoy the first of two full day excursions that you will enjoy this week. You can choose from the following options. All arrangements are made before your arrival, including tours, tickets and public transport, and all associated costs are included:
- 1) Day trip to Oban town, pub lunch and Oban whisky distillery guided tour, depart 9.45am and return 6.30 pm
- 2) Day trip to Inveraray town and Inverary castle guided tour, depart 9.45 am and return 4.30 pm
- 3) Day trip to the island of Mull, and Tobermory whisky distillery, guided tour and whisky tastings Depart 7.00am and return 6.30 pm
- 4) Day trip to Mull of Kintyre and Campbelltown Springbank distillery guided tour and whisky tastings, depart 9.00am and return 4.00pm
- This evening upon your return, enjoy a full Scottish high tea at your cottage.
Day Four – Tuesday
- Breakfast and your next cooking session, followed by lunch.
- The afternoon has a range of options for you to choose from:
- Visit to Castle Sween and Kilmory chapel
- Historical Walk along the Crinan canal
- Visit Dunadd fort and Carnasserie Castle.
- This evening around 7.00pm you will be accompanied to a local pub for dinner. Tayvallich is a small, picturesque village located in a natural harbor, about a 15-minute drive from your cottage.
Day Five – Wednesday
- Breakfast, followed by free time and lunch.
- This afternoon, around 1 pm, 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 on your own this evening at a local pub or restaurant. You will be provided with our suggestions and a taxi service provided to and from your chosen location.
Day Six – Thursday
- Breakfast at the cottage.
- Today you will have your second full-day excursion. The list again is:
- 1) Day trip to Oban town, pub lunch and Oban whisky distillery guided tour, depart 9.45am and return 6.30 pm
- 2) Day trip to Inveraray town and Inverary castle guided tour, depart 9.45 am and return 4.30 pm
- 3) Day trip to the island of Mull, and Tobermory whisky distillery, guided tour and whisky tastings Depart 7.00am and return 6.30 pm
- 4) Day trip to Mull of Kintyre and Campbelltown Springbank distillery guided tour and whisky tastings, depart 9.00am and return 4.00pm
- Tonight, on your return you will enjoy a traditional Scottish meal of Fish and Chips followed by “Lairds Trifle.” You can also sample a few Scottish whiskies.
Day Seven – Friday
- After breakfast, beginning around 10 am, you will have your last cooking course, in which you will help decide the menu. Lunch to follow based on your efforts.
- Afternoon at leisure to enjoy your last day in Scotland!
- Farewell dinner at the cooking school.
Day Eight – Saturday
- Breakfast, and departure to Glasgow city center via coach from Lochgilphead. (You can transfer to the airport from there.) Please note that the earliest you can arrive back in Glasgow city center is 10.35 am.
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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. Meet with your instructor Jane, then relax and settle in for a couple of hours.
- Depending on the time of year, you may wish to go for a walk to explore the local area or just relax.
- Dinner will be served at the cooking school around 7 pm when you will have an informal meeting to discuss further and plan the aspects of your stay and ask any questions that you may have. 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 is at your cottage and you will help yourself to the
fresh Scottish provisions supplied for you, along with any special requests that you may have. These supplies will be refilled regularly. - This morning around 10.00 am you will
participate in your first Scottish cooking session, followed by an early light lunch. - After lunch some free time is available before returning to the cooking school for your second Scottish Cooking lesson at around 4.00pm.
- Dinner this evening is at the Cooking school. Tonight, you will also sample a few Scottish whiskies.
Day Three – Monday
- Breakfast at your cottage.
- Today you will depart at 10.00am to participate in your full day excursion to the harbour town of Oban. Oban means ‘little bay’ and is the main port for exploring Scotland’s west coast islands.
- On arrival in Oban, you will visit Dunollie Castle and museum for
a guided tour. Dunollie is home to the Clan Chief of the MacDougall Clan. - After the tour, you will visit Oban town for an included pub lunch.
- After lunch you can enjoy a walk around Oban. You will meet up afterward for a tour of Oban Distillery, one of the oldest Whisky Distilleries in Scotland, built in 1794.
- You will arrive back to your cottage around 5.30 pm. This evening you will be accompanied to the Tayvallich Inn to have a pub dinner. Tayvallich is a small, picturesque village located in a natural harbour, situated about a 15-minute drive from your cottage. The pub is located next to the beach and features great views.
- You will arrive back at your cottage around 9.30pm.
Day Four – Tuesday
- After breakfast, around 10.00am you will participate in your third Scottish cooking session, followed by lunch at 1pm.
- The afternoon will visit Kilmartin Museum, which is a short drive from your cottage.
- Dinner this evening is served at the Cooking school around 7.00pm.
Day Five – Wednesday
- Breakfast, and departure to Glasgow city center via coach from Lochgilphead. (You can transfer to the airport from there.) Please note that the earliest you can arrive back in Glasgow city center is 10.35 am.
Trip Details
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Included in Your Scotland Cooking Holiday
Accommodations7 nights accommodations in private cottage
Food & Beverages- 7 Breakfasts at your cottage for you to serve yourself.
- 7 Lunches, these will be a mix of pub, picnic style and served lunches at the school
- 3 Traditional Scottish dinners served at the cooking school
- 1 Scottish ‘high tea’ served at your cottage.
- 1 Dinner at a local Scottish pub.
- 1 Traditional dinner of Scottish Fish and Chips, followed by ‘Lairds Trifle’ (at the Cook school)
- Various Scottish Whisky tastings.
Classes & InstructorsYour culinary host for this vacation is cook Jane Chaplin. Jane has had many years’ experience in traditional and modern Scottish cooking. In addition to providing the cooking input for this vacation Jane continues to provide culinary and catering services to adventure groups during their vacations in Scotland. Jane is passionate about Scotland, cooking, and growing as much fresh ingredients as possible in her organic garden. She loves sharing her ideas and recipes with our culinary travelers.
Excursions- Two full-day excursions as per your selections
- Visit of the Kilmartin Museum (transfers included, visit is self-guided)
- Half-day guide walk though Kilmartin Valley and ancient Kingdom of Dalriada
Please note 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 Lochgilphead to Glasgow city center. Please note that the earliest you can arrive back in Glasgow is 10.35 am (this may necessitate a post night in Glasgow if you have a morning flight). The best choices for coach times are:
- Depart Lochgilphead 08.00am, arrive in Glasgow center 10.35 am (you can easily make your way to the airport as needed)
- Depart Lochgilphead 10.00 am and arrive Glasgow airport direct (12.35pm) or city center (12.55 pm).
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
- Whiskey tasting session
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Included in Your Scotland Culinary Vacation
Accommodations4-nights accommodation in a private cottage.
Food & Beverages- 4 Breakfasts. Selection of Scottish produce at your cottage for you to serve yourself.
- 3 Lunches, these will be a mix of pub, picnic style and served lunches at the Cooking School.
- 3 Traditional Scottish dinners served at the Cooking School
- 1 Dinner at a local Scottish pub.
- Various Scottish Whisky tastings.
Classes & InstructorsYour culinary host for this vacation is cook Jane Chaplin. Jane has had many years’ experience in traditional and modern Scottish cooking. In addition to providing the cooking input for this vacation Jane continues to provide culinary and catering services to adventure groups during their vacations in Scotland. Jane is passionate about Scotland, cooking, and growing as much fresh ingredients as possible in her organic garden. She loves sharing her ideas and recipes with our culinary travelers.
Excursions- 1 Full day excursion: Visit to the traditional harbour town of Oban, including a visit to Oban whisky distillery and Dunollie Castle and museum.
- 1 Half Day excursion: Visit to Kilmartin Museum, transport to and from the museum is included.
Please note 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 Lochgilphead to Glasgow city center. Please note that the earliest you can arrive back in Glasgow is 10.35 am (this may necessitate a post night in Glasgow if you have a morning flight). The best choices for coach times are:
- Depart Lochgilphead 08.00am, arrive in Glasgow center 10.35 am (you can easily make your way to the airport as needed)
- Depart Lochgilphead 10.00 am and arrive Glasgow airport direct (12.35pm) or city center (12.55 pm).
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
- 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 Pricing
See moreUS$3000 per person based on double occupancy
- Subtract US$100 per non-cooking companion
Please note for 2 people sharing the 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!
Cost to run for 1 person: please inquire
Scotland Cooking Vacations Tour Dates
See moreOur Scottish cooking vacations are generally available April through October. Scotland benefits from long summer days from around the beginning of May to late August when daylight remains until around 11.00 pm. These seasonal variations will not affect the itinerary, but may assist you in planning your trip to your own preferences; Scotland offers fantastic visitor experiences during all seasons.
2025
April 1 through October 25 – start date is flexible.
April 12-19
April 19-26
April 26-May 3
May 10-17
May 17-24
May 24-31
June 21-28
June 28-July 5
July 5-12
July 12-19
July 26-August 2
August 9-16
August 16-23
August 23-30
August 30-September 6
September 6-13
September 13-20
September 27-October 4
October 4-11
October 11-18
October 18-25Please inquire for availability!
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Scotland 4-Night Cooking Vacation Pricing
See moreUS$2475 per person based on double occupancy
- Add US$100 per non-cooking companion
Please note for 2 people sharing the 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!
Cost to run for 1 person: please inquire
Scotland Cooking Vacations Tour Dates
See moreOur Scottish cooking vacations are generally available April through October. Scotland benefits from long summer days from around the beginning of May to late August when daylight remains until around 11.00 pm. These seasonal variations will not affect the itinerary, but may assist you in planning your trip to your own preferences; Scotland offers fantastic visitor experiences during all seasons.
2025
Please inquire for availability!
