Scotland may be better known for its haggis, shortbread, and good old neeps and tatties, but did you know the country is fast becoming a veritable hotbed for vegan food?
With some 350,000 Scots said to be eating a plant-based diet and a further 14% of those responding to a Vegan Society survey considering ditching meat and dairy in the future, it’s no wonder that we’ve seen a wealth of new stores, festivals and vegan restaurants in Scotland open up over the past few years.
Here at the five-star Dunalastair Hotel Suites in Highland Perthshire, we recently announced the launch of our own Flawlessly Vegan menu, offering a fresh, delicious array of plant-based options at our in-house restaurant, Monadh Dining.
Yet we’re far from the only ones cooking up a treat for the growing number of vegan visitors to Scotland.
Here’s our guide to the best places for plant-based eating and shopping throughout the Highlands and beyond.
The vegan revolution has officially hit Scotland, with more and more restaurants, cafes and stores starting to offer a wonderful array of plant-based dishes. To celebrate the launch of our own Flawlessly Vegan menu, Dunalastair Hotel Suites explore other must-visit vegan venues throughout Scotland.
Top Vegan Restaurants in Scotland
Open from six till late, seven days a week, Monadh Dining offers a full range of tantalising vegan dishes that are available not only to guests at our luxury Perthshire hotel, but also to visitors and locals alike.
Over in the nearby town of Pitlochry, we’re big fans of Fern Cottage restaurant, where talented chefs serve up unique yet oh-so-tasty dishes which add a little taste of the Meditteranean to traditional Scottish dishes.
We love their Mixed Meze Platter, which starts at £7.95 for a starter platter or £13.95 for a sharing platter. This includes an indulgent Steamed fine Bulgur with Tomato and mixed with Cucumber, Mint, Lemon, Parsley and toasted crushed Hazelnuts and an Eggplant and Vegetable Ragout that you simply have to try for yourself.
As well as our own Monadh Dining restaurant in Kinloch Rannoch, you’ll find a mouth-watering array of plant-based menus across the Scottish Highlands and beyond, including some of our own favourites right here in Perthshire.
Elsewhere, you might also enjoy:
Loch Leven Cafe
Vane Farm Reserve, Kinross, Scotland, KY13 9LX
Situated in the heart of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds national nature reserve in Kinross, Loch Leven Cafe earns rave reviews from vegan review site Happy Cow for their simple yet delicious menu.
For those of you with a sweet tooth, Loch Leven’s selection of vegan cakes and desserts are an absolute must.
Beetroot Sauvage
33-41 Ratcliffe Terrace, Edinburgh EH9 1SX
Edinburgh is fast earning a reputation as the vegan capital of Scotland, and with places like Beetroot Sauvage in their midst, it’s not difficult to see why.
Their famous full vegan breakfast is wholly satisfying, while their unique selection of dairy-free cheeses is definitely worth a nibble.
While you’re there, be sure to head upstairs to the venue’s beautiful community space which regularly plays host to meditation and yoga classes as well as other events throughout the week.
Uisge
Station Road, Perthshire, Murthly PH1 4EL
Back here in the heart of Highland Perthshire, you’ll find Uisge (pronounced oosh-ghe), a family-owned restaurant in Murthly. Based just over an hour away from our luxury hotel in Perthshire, Uisge is the ideal place to stop for a bite to eat if you’ve been exploring the area around Dunkeld, or if you’ve been out on a cycling tour of the region.
The venue offers a broad selection of wonderful vegan dishes. Their Tofu stir fry with soy and sweet chilli sauce served with rice (£11.95) is particularly special, as is their Bang-Bang Salad (£8.25), an Asian-style salad with cucumber, pack Choi, lime and coriander tossed in a light, peanut dressing.
An Unmissable Event: The Scottish Vegan Festival
If you’ve booked your Scotland getaway for the spring or autumn months, then be sure to plan a pilgrimage to Edinburgh for the twice-annual Farplace Scottish vegan Festival.
The last event was held back in April, with another instalment planned on Sunday, 20th October 2019 at the Edinburgh Corn Exchange on Newmarket Road. There, you’ll find an abundance of stalls serving not only hot and cold food, but a variety of vegan products such as cosmetics, clothing and more.
The event is organised by Farplace Animal Rescue and also features a number of campaigns, presentations and workshops.
Back in April, visitors could enjoy interactive workshops on the joys of making vegan chocolate.
Tickets for the October event will be available soon from the Scottish Vegan Festival website at a price yet to be announced.
The Scottish Vegan Festival takes place twice a year in the heart of Edinburgh. The festival returns next month, with scores of local businesses offering a variety of ethically-produced vegan food, homewares and more.
Vegan Shopping in Scotland
Scotland has much more than wonderful restaurants and a fantastic festival to offer. Across the country, you’ll find a range of plant-based products, health supplements and more.
Highland Health Store
16, St John St, Perth PH1 5SP
An hour away from our Perthshire hotel, you’ll find the Highland Health Store in Perth. Open daily, the store offers a broad selection of health foods, herbal teas, alternative medicines and vegan aromatherapy and body care products.
The family-owned business also operates a speedy mail order service, so you can call up and have your favourite products sent directly to your suite here at Dunalastair Hotel Suites.
Leith Market Vegan Quarter
Leith Market, Dock Place, Leith
On the first Saturday of every month, Leith Market hosts its very own vegan quarter, where some of Scotland’s best independent vegan businesses offer a selection of delicious snacks, produce and homewares. You’ll also find an assortment of gifts and souvenirs, perfect for taking back home as a reminder of your vegan-friendly holiday in Scotland.
Experience the best of vegan Scotland with the five-star Dunalastair Hotel Suites in Perthshire and Monadh Dining, serving our own Flawlessly Vegan menu seven days a week. For bookings and reservations, contact us online or call now on +44 (0)1882 580444.