by The Grumbling Tummy

Grab your diary and save the date because here are the 2014 dates for all these fantastic foodie events going on this summer and beyond.

Again this year I apologies to my friends south of the border – there is just too much going on down there to list.  I hope that you might be tempted to pack your weekend bag and take a trip to try out the bonny festivals North of the border …

Have I missed an event?  Let me know and I will add it in.

TASTE OF GRAMPIAN 7 JUNE  THAINSTONE CENTRE, INVERURIE  tasteofgrampian.co.uk

One day event giving you the opportunity to meet local producers and sample the food from Grampian’s larder.  Expect beautiful smoked salmon, creamy fudge, shortbread and much more.

OPEN FARM SUNDAY  8 JUNE farmsunday.org 

This is free and takes place in locations across Scotland.  Farms open their doors – or should I say gates – to allow visitors to experience the smells of the farmyard and really get in touch with the land that feeds us. Come and feed your senses on Open Farm Sunday at a farm near you.

CRAIL FOOD FESTIVAL 14 & 15 JUNE  crailfoodfest.co.uk/

This great two-day festival includes an indoor food market with the addition of a Tasting Hall this year. You can also learn to cook up a storm at the Chef’s Theatre, take part in the popular lunch at the Harbour and, for little ones, there is a full children’s programme planned. It’s a cracking one to go along to and this blogger is again proud to be part of the blogging team – watch out for my very cheesy post over on The Gumbling Tummy!

HOPETOUN HOUSE HORSE TRIALS AND COUNTRY FAIR  26th – 29th JUNE hopetounhorsetrials.co.uk/

For a really relaxed day out listening to a spot of live music and eating fab food head to the Hopetoun Country Fair.  For many the main draw of the weekend is the horse trials but I can take or leave neighing beasts. For me it is all about the food.  It is a small festival with a big personality.  You will find great food to taste and once you settle down in the beautiful surroundings you won’t want to move.  This was a winner for me last year.  Read the blog about it here.

AFTERNOON TEA ON A STEAM TRAIN – throughout the summer bkrailway.co.uk/

Ok so not a festival but a great thing to do and worthy of a mention on my summer food list.   Enjoy a traditional afternoon tea of freshly made sandwiches, cakes and homemade scones with clotted cream and Scottish jam served with a pot of coffee or tea aboard a lovingly restored steam train.

ROYAL HIGHLAND SHOW 19 – 22 JUNE royalhighlandshow.org/

Foodies – trot past the tractors and  coos and head straight for the food hall where there are almost 100 companies featuring their quality products as well as a line-up of some of Scotland’s top chefs demonstrating their culinary skills.  The Highland Show is a fantastic day out (especially if the sun shines). It’s a busy one though so sharpen these elbows.  It is also not the cheapest festival in town but well worth it.

PITTENWEEM ARTS FESTIVAL  2 – 10 AUGUST pittenweemartsfestival.co.uk

Not a  food festival of course BUT it is one of my favourite festivals of the year (not only because it was where I grew up long before  there was a sniff of an arts scene).  In between seeing the art EAT some food.  There is a big tent selling top-notch grub down at the harbour and various fabulous places to hang out for cake and coffee too.  Finish your day off with fish and chips from Pittenweem’s chippy.

FOODIES FESTIVAL 8,9,10 AUGUST foodiesfestival.com/event/edinburgh-inverleith-park/

This huge foodie event is again held in Edinburgh’s Inverleith Park.  It really is a must for any foodie.  As well as hundreds of stands showcasing fabulous local produce there is a cake and bake theatre, chefs theatre, a children’s cooking theatre,  pop up restaurants and so much  more.  I somehow managed to find myself in VIP section last year with fizz – fingers and toes crossed for this year!

DUNDEE FLOWER AND FOOD FESTIVAL 5 – 7 SEPTEMBER https://www.dundeecity.gov.uk/event/42

Despite all my good intentions I missed this wee gem last year and hope to rectify the situation this year.  This three-day (ticketed) event  is Tayside’s top lifestyle event.  The Festival offers the best in food, horticulture and live entertainment, with a packed weekend programme including free cookery and gardening demonstrations, children’s activities, a craft fair, live music and TV celebrities. Now what’s not to love about that?

ABERDOUR FESTIVAL  1 August – 10 August aberdourfestival.org.uk/

This is the second non specifically food festival I have included. I briefly lived in Aberdour and really liked this festival and it does include food – honest.  There is a beach day where you can partake of the BBQ whilst watching the fabulous regatta, eat home made cakes which are always on sale and it is always nice to watch people struggle on the Donkey Brae Run whilst you sip on pimms and munch a puddledub burger (hope Puddledub are there this year – they normally are!)

FORTH BRIDGES FESTIVAL EVENT – SCOTLAND INVITES THE WORLD FOR LUNCH – 6  September forthbridgesfestival.com/events/scotland-welcomes-the-world-to-lunch/

This particular event is part of the ten day Forth Bridges Festival where heaps of exciting things are going on. This lunch takes place in both North and South Queensferry and commemorates the first Forth Bridge crossing in 1964. Visitors and local diners will enjoy a delicious taste of Scottish food and drink at decorated tables  set up in both towns, linked via large screens . The  food will have a distinctly 1960s flavour and guests will be encouraged to dress in 1960s garb.   As well as the lunch there will be a food market.  All this sounds like a great fun and rather unique event.  Keep an eye on the website for details on tickets.

HUNTLY HAIRST FOOD AND FARMING FESTIVAL – 6 & 7 SEPTEMBER huntlyhairst.co.uk/

Huntly Hairst is a great celebration of local producers, food and farming.  I am a bit early in posting my events listing this year and Huntly Hairst have not confirmed there programme of events as yet but safe to say it will include a big old farmers market and a variety of competitions for those who reckon they are a dab hand at baking!

LOCH LOMOND FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL 6 & 7 SEPTEMBER  lochlomondfoodanddrinkfestival.co.uk/

This festival, now in its ninth year promises “tasty trials, sumptuous suppliers, festival fun and interesting information” .  20,000 folk flock to the area for this festival  – that in itself speaks volumes.  Definitely going into my diary.

SCOTTISH FOOD AND DRINK FORTNIGHT 6 – 21 SEPTEMBER  scottishfoodanddrinkfortnight.co.uk/

A luscious fourteen days celebrating all that is fabulous about Scottish produce.  There are tastings and special events across the country so keep an eye out on the website for more details nearer the time.

GOLDEN SPURTLE PORRIDGE MAKING CHAMPIONSHIPS  4 OCTOBER goldenspurtle.com/

The 21st annual World Porridge Making Championships will take place in the Scottish Highland village of Carrbridge. So good it has to go on the list.

BBC GOOD FOOD SHOW 17 – 19 OCTOBER  bbcgoodfoodshowscotland.com/

Head over to this blinding event at the SECC. It’s huge and I wouldn’t miss it for the world.  It is one of the best places to try and buy the best of Scotland.  In attendance – amongst others – Ade Edmondson, James Martin, James Morton, John Torode,  a lone hairy biker and Tony Singh.  To be honest John Torode alone would make me part with my cash.

ST ANDREWS FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL 22 NOVEMBER – 6 DECEMBER (provisional dates) foodfest.visitstandrews.com/

This is a  grand celebration of  Fife’s wonderful produce, natural larder and renowned chefs.  There will be chef demonstrations, tastings, special Festival menus in venues across town, an extended Fife Farmers’ Market with pop-up restaurant, and events involving a wide range of delicacies.

[image above shows previous winners of  October’s Golden Porridge Making Championships]