ONE of America’s leading active lifestyle magazines – Outside – has selected Scotland in its annual Best of Travel awards as the best place to eat and drink in the world.
The only destination in the UK to make the American magazine’s ‘30 most incredible trips to take in 2015’, Scotland was named the best place to eat and drink for its “miles of coastline”, “abundant mushroom and strawberry harvests” and “massive beef industry”.
The award comes during Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink, a 12-month celebration of the country’s natural larder and authentic dining experiences. The year is being supported by a wide range of marketing activity and a packed programme of food-focused events.
From newly-revealed travel territories to the best deals, Outside’s Best of Travel 2015 celebrates the destinations and travel providers that inspire people to participate in an active lifestyle.
Food is an integral part of the tourism experience and sampling traditional dishes and local produce is among the top activities undertaken by visitors to Scotland. Outside magazine references creative menus found across Scotland, including the experience of visiting the Three Chimneys on Skye and taking in a distillery tour.
VisitScotland Chairman Mike Cantlay said: “When you consider the number of countries renowned for their culinary offering, you realise how highly Scotland’s wonderful food and drink is regarded throughout the world.
“Scotland’s reputation for quality food and drink is growing, with exports at a record high. From Stornoway Black Pudding to our national drink whisky, promoting Scotland’s food and drink to the world is a recipe for success which has a real potential to provide significant growth for tourism.”
Shirley Spear, Founder/Director at The Three Chimneys said: “This is an amazing accolade for the whole of Scotland’s food and drink industry, all of our Scottish Chefs and all of the excellent destination restaurants we are so proud of throughout the country.
“To be acknowledged in such a prestigious way by Outside magazine just goes to show how far we have all improved in the past few years. Naturally, I am delighted to see The Three Chimneys hand-picked as one of the places to experience the best.
“After 30 years promoting Scotland’s fantastic natural larder, I could not be happier that our team in Skye has been given this very special mention and that Scotland has been highlighted as a world-class foodie destination.”
In 2013, CNN named Scotland as its No.1 destination for visitors. It was also declared as the third best country in the world to visit in 2014 ahead of the likes of the Seychelles, Mexico and Malaysia by Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2014. In 2014, Lewis and Harris were named in the top five islands in the world by TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Islands awards and National Geographic Traveler, the world’s biggest travel magazine named a guided holiday of the Outer Hebrides as one of its “50 Tours of a Lifetime”.
The complete list of Best of Travel winners will be featured in the April issue of Outside, available March 17, and online at: http://www.outsideonline.com/adventure-travel/travel-awards/30-Trips-to-Take-This-Year.html.
More on Scottish food and drink: http://www.visitscotland.com/about/food-drink/
