Now more than ever, serving local Scottish produce has become a huge selling point with city centre restaurants all but falling over themselves to list the small-scale suppliers who feature on their menus.
With the increasing costs of importing food and worries over the impact of air miles on the climate crisis, this is one foodie trend that should undoubtedly be welcomed with open arms.
But more than that, championing local is a chance to celebrate the people who work hard every day to prove that Scotland's natural larder is one of the world's finest.
Here are ten farm cafes and restaurants across the country where you can discover the best of what the land has to offer.
Jamesfield Farm Shop and Restaurant
Jamesfield Farm, Cupar
This stop between Newburgh and Abernathy is believed to be one of the longest-accredited Organic farms in Scotland and has been pesticide-free for over 30 years.
Local produce takes centre stage with a bakery table that’s guaranteed to be heaving with a selection of cakes and traybakes.
This week, they’ve introduced an Autumn menu filled with comforting and hearty favourites like stovies and sticky toffee pudding.
The Thyme Deli and Bistro at Errichel
Errichel Farm, Crieff Road, Aberfeldy
The Thyme Deli and Bistro’s motto is ‘where field meets fork’ with chef patron Paul Newman at its helm.
The weekends make for the best time to visit thanks to a special Sunday roast menu that makes use of ethically reared produce from Errichel farm served with all the trimmings and a complimentary glass of fizz.
Loch Leven’s Larder
Channel Farm, Kinross
Born from a desire to create a relaxed space that serves healthy food with homegrown ingredients, the Loch Leven Larder is located in the heart of a family-run farm.
Vegetables from the surrounding fields are taken straight to the kitchen for a menu that changes with the seasons.
Next weekend on Friday, September 9 the team will host an Autumn market with over 30 stall holders, live music, and drinks by the gin laboratory.
The Heron Farm Shop and Kitchen
Kindrochet, Strathaven
There’s a small but well-thought-out menu on offer at this light and airy farm shop café with a lunchtime offering ranging from home-roasted beef and horse radish open sandwiches to Ayrshire bacon, brie and cranberry toasties.
Cake is not to be skipped thanks to ‘tried and tested’ recipes that have been passed down through generations of owners Angus and Emma’s family.
Gloagburn Farmshop
Gloagburn Farm, Tibbermore, Perth
The Gloagburn Farm shop is owned and run by third-generation farmers Ian and Alison Niven with everything from the pastry to jam prepared from scratch for their 130-cover coffee shop.
Their menu focuses on ‘top quality yet simple food’ with dishes including twice-baked cheese souffle using Gloagburn free-range eggs and Campbeltown cheddar or chicken liver pate with their award-winning oatcakes.
The oatcakes are so popular, in fact, that their bakery section is said to sell over 60,000 of them every year.
Whitmuir Cafe
Whitmuir Farm, Lamancha, West Linton
A ‘wet and windy’ site in the Scottish borders that’s situated 900 feet above sea level, Whitmuir invites people from all walks of life to come and learn more about life on a working farm.
Whether you’re after a quick coffee and sweet treat or a homemade pork sausage roll, the café offers both indoor seating and a dog-friendly outdoor area with heaters.
Lochend Farm Shop
Scotlandwell, Kinross
This family-run working farm has been in business since 1990 but later expanded to include a farm shop and café.
Batches of fluffy scones are made fresh each morning with the team also recommending an order of their ‘messy but amazing’ bacon and egg rolls to set you up for the day.
Blairdrummond Smiddy Farm Shop
Blair Drummond, Stirling
The entire menu at the Smiddy, which overlooks the Gargunnock Hills, is made using fresh produce from both their own butchery and a range of local suppliers.
If you’re too late to catch breakfast, choose instead their hefty burgers stuffed with two minced beef patties, Applewood smoked cheddar and bacon.
Views across the Gargunnock Hills are a bonus.
The Free Company
Cockdurno Farmhouse, Balerno, Edinburgh
A slightly less relaxed affair than some of the cosy cafes included on our list, diners at the Free Company will indulge in an evening of six courses starting with bites in the garden and moving onto larger plates in the converted milking byre.
Asking questions is encouraged throughout the meal with the restaurant operating a quirky ‘pay-what-you think-it’s worth system for food.
Greenhall Country Café and Farm Shop
Greenhall View Farm, Hamilton Road, Blantyre
Proud to have opened the ‘first Scottish Wagyu’ shop in 2016, both the Wagyu and Angus Beef at Greenhall are born and raised on the farm before being butchered by HK Pender’s in Coatbridge and returned to the shop ready to sell.
On their lunch menu, you’ll find an all-day breakfast that pairs both wagyu link and square sausage with Ramsay of Carluke bacon, corrie mains eggs and all the other usual suspects.
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