Views so good you can taste the stunning scenery

Argyll and the Islands are stunningly beautiful and the food produced here reflects the quality of the landscape in which it is grown, reared, caught and created, writes Hannah O’Hanlon.

So Wild About Argyll’s new venture, Taste of Place Trails, is onto a winner from the start.

Food and drink producers are preparing 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 eating.

And what a menu Argyll folk are setting before them: freshly caught seafood, meat, dairy, smoke-house specials, game, foraged wild food and incredible baking and other foods small-batch made with skill. To accompany this are beer, wine and even coffee from roasters in the area and Argyll-grown tea.

The Taste of Place Trails initiative is a partnership led by Argyll and the Isles Tourism Co-operative (AITC) with support from VisitScotland Growth Fund, Food from Argyll, Argyll and Bute Council and CalMac.

Iain Jurgensen, AITC chairman, said: ‘Argyll has built up a strong reputation for top quality food and drink and the Taste of Place Trails have been designed to offer visitors an immersive experience as part of their travels.’

He explained: ‘Experiences and the great outdoors are so important to tourists right now whilst we continue to navigate the restrictions and what better way to enjoy it than meeting the producer, hearing their story and enjoying an exceptional view.’

Councillor Robin Currie, leader of Argyll and Bute Council, said: ‘Argyll and Bute offers a lot for your eyes and taste buds. We are delighted to be welcoming visitors back again to this stunning part of

Scotland where around every corner you will find the perfect picnic spot.’

David Adams McGilp, regional director for VisitScotland, added the idea combined many of the region’s strengths.

‘We know 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.’

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.

People are being encouraged to have ‘eat the view’ picnics. The above picnic platter was made by The Tobermory Fish Company.

Photograph: Raymond Hosie. The Taste of Place Trails encourage visitors to enjoy food at some of Argyll’s stunning viewpoints, like this one overlooking Carradale Bay.