Taste Argyll’s stunning scenic trails
Visitors to Argyll will be able to ‘eat the view’ in an imaginative new project inspired by the region’s stunning scenery and top-notch food and drink, writes Colin Cameron.
Wild About Argyll’s Taste of Place trails will see food and drink producers prepare a selection of limited edition ‘eat the view’ picnics – with everything on the menu created from the sights around.
Tourists will then be guided to an ‘Insta-worthy’ viewpoint to savour the sights they are enjoying.
From freshly caught seafood to wild food heaven from Scotland’s own rainforest, the specials will be handmade to pick up from a neighbouring restaurant or café located along five new food and drink trails with various themes seafood; spirit and beer; farm produce; vegan and coffee and cakes.
The aim is to encourage tourists to visit our glorious region, experiment with unique dining experiences in stunning locations, meet the producers and enjoy a world-class staycation on Scottish soil.
Iain Jurgensen, chairman of Argyll and The Isles Tourism Co-operative, said: ‘Argyll has built a strong reputation for top quality food and drink with its world class distilleries, seafood and numerous award-winning eateries featuring sensational local produce thanks to the consistent levels of rainfall and relatively mild, year-round temperatures. With ongoing high demand for the great outdoors, the Taste of Place trails have been designed to offer visitors an immersive experience as part of their travels around the destination this year; to allow them to sample every single ingredient that goes into the dishes, and to be able to speak with the artisan producers who lovingly prepare it.’
‘The Taste of Place Trails combine many of the strengths of the Argyll and Isles region into one distinct offering,’ said VisitScotland regional director David Adams McGilp.
‘We know from our insights that even pre-pandemic, visitors want a much more immersive experience in the places they go, to create a more meaningful emotional connection and memories.
‘Food and cultural tourism are a key part of this trend and will contribute to the economic recovery from the pandemic.
‘Tourism and events will help to rebuild the Scottish population’s well-being.
‘Everyone deserves a holiday and Argyll and the Isles and all it offers is the perfect antidote after lockdown.’
The Taste of Place is a partnership led by Argyll and the Isles Tourism Cooperative with support from VisitScotland Growth Fund, Food from Argyll, Argyll and Bute Council and CalMac.
The ‘eat the view’ specials will be available at The Fisherman’s Kitchen on Seil, Tobermory Fish, Cakes in a Callbox near Loch Awe, Food from Argyll’s Café at the Pier in Oban, The Blairmore Café near Dunoon, Argyll Coffee Roasters near Tighnabruaich, Glenegedale House on Islay and Beinn an Tuirc Distillery and Café in Kintyre, to name but a few.
More information on the trails can be found on the Wild About Argyll website.