A FESTIVE FAIRYTALE

A 14th-century castle, a bounty of local produce and more kilts and tartan than an episode of Outlander, this was a Scottish Field Christmas feast done right

The Scottish Field team do Christmas in style with a feast in the lavish surroundings of Duns Castle

The moment the calendar flips to December that festive feeling takes hold of millions of people across the world. It’s an indescribable concoction of warmth and excitement making the long dreary winter days bearable. It’s one of few things in life akin to real magic. For this year’s Christmas feast the team at Scottish Field wanted to capture all of this seasonal goodness with a Highland fling thrown in for good measure. Adorned in a gorgeous selection of kilts and tartan sashes kindly provided by Kinloch Anderson, we headed to Duns Castle in the Borders for a splendid Scottish feast. So magnificent is this particular venue that it was used to recreate Balmoral Castle in the 1997 film Mrs Brown starring Judi Dench and our own Billy Connolly. If it’s good enough for Dame Judi and Hollywood, it’s good enough for us.

It was in this 14th-century castle that private chef Pip Wallen-Priestly served a menu of fine Scottish fare. With such a rich natural larder at his disposal, when it came to creating this special Christmas dinner, he was spoilt for choice. Our plates were packed with Scottish venison, locally shot partridge, locally caught trout and George Bower’s award-winning haggis, along with roasted pears and glorious veggies. All of this was followed by a fruit-packed pudding of apple, ginger and rhubarb, served with custard and a perfectly sweet winter berry coulis.

To complete our Scottish Christmas fairytale we furnished the castle dining and sitting room with decorations from the lovely folk at Dobbies Garden Centre and covered the dining table with delicate silver pots filled with parrot tulips and heather put together by the team at Narcissus Flowers.

When it comes to creating your own festive feast, we urge you to try exploring what’s available on your doorstep and have yourself a magical Scottish Christmas.

Slàinte!

Let the feast begin: The Scottish Field team, joined by Duns Castle owner Mrs Aline Hay, enjoy a delicious Christmas dinner that celebrates Scottish produce.

Clockwise from top left: A cheerful night by candlelight; served simply on silver, sugar cured trout and quails’ eggs; Scottish venison atop a bounty of golden Yorkshires; enjoying a wee tipple; no Christmas table is complete without a cracker or two.