If Scotland isn’t on your must-visit list yet, consider this your sign to add it. The country is not only home to some of the most stunning scenery in the world (in 2017, it bagged the top spot on Rough Guide’s most beautiful countries list), but it is also a great destination for vegan food. Yep, the place known for sheep’s offal (more widely known as haggis) has a thriving plant-based scene. Read on to discover some of its best vegan-friendly spots.
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How vegan-friendly is Scotland?
The UK in general is renowned for its vegan food scene. You can walk into most supermarkets in the country or fast-food restaurants and find several plant-based options, and Scotland is no different. In 2022, three Scottish cities—Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Inverness—were ranked in the top 10 for vegan food in the UK by Student Beans, a student discount app. In fact, Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital, took the top spot on the list.
“With a whopping total of 642 vegan restaurants and 42 UberEats options delivering delicious plant-based food straight to your door, you’ll never be short of a tasty plant-based meal if you find yourself in the wonderful Scottish city,” noted Student Beans at the time. The data also revealed that there were 508 vegan-friendly restaurants in Glasgow and 75 in Inverness.
The high number of vegan-friendly restaurants in Scotland is, of course, likely due to the high number of vegans and flexitarians in the country. In 2019, Edinburgh was named second in a list from vegan brand Allplants outlining UK cities reducing their meat consumption. And in 2021, data from The Vegan Society revealed that around 108,000 Scots were vegan.
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What are some traditional vegan Scottish foods?
One of the most famous traditional Scottish foods, haggis, is not vegan. It’s made with sheep’s offal, which is derived from the animal’s liver, lungs, and kidneys. However, there are vegan versions available across the country, which are usually made with ingredients like lentils, oats, and spices instead. Popular Edinburgh-based eatery The Haggis Box, for example, serves both vegetarian and vegan haggis alongside the traditional version.
Skirlie, which is made from oatmeal fried with onions and seasonings, is another traditional Scottish option. It can be made with animal fat, but it’s often made with oil or margarine, which makes it vegan-friendly.
Wash your food down with Irn Bru, a vegan-friendly Scottish carbonated soft drink, or, if you want something stronger, Scotch whisky is animal-free, too.
Vegan-friendly places to stay in Scotland
If you’re off to Scotland, you are blessed with several vegan-friendly accommodation options. On the Isle of Arran, for example, you can find the 100-percent vegan bed and breakfast Stonewater House. The menu includes plant-based sausages, tofu bacon, sourdough bread, porridge, pancakes, and so much more.
Saorsa 1875
In Pitlochry, a town on the River Tummel, there’s the upmarket vegan hotel Saorsa 1875, which specializes in providing its guests with 100-percent plant-based fine dining, with a menu comprising of foraged and locally sourced ingredients, and elegantly styled rooms.
Other options include Greenstone Lodge, a plant-based bed and breakfast in Argyll and Bute, and Blaeberry House in Inverness.
8 vegan-friendly restaurants in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Inverness
Whether you’re heading to Glasgow, Edinburgh, or Inverness, there are plenty of vegan-friendly eateries to choose from across Scotland. Find some of our favorites below.
Suissi Vegan Kitchen
1
Suissi Vegan Kitchen
Glasgow
Some of Glasgow’s best Asian-inspired cuisine can be found at Suissi Vegan Kitchen, in the city’s bustling Partick neighborhood. Choose from a variety of fresh, homemade, MSG-free options, including Szechuan Tofu, Rendang with Lion’s Mane, and Cantonese Crispy Noodles. For dessert, check out the deep-fried jackfruit fritters drizzled with golden syrup.
Find it here
Stereo
2 Stereo
Glasgow
If you love live music and vegan food, Stereo in Glasgow’s city center is a must-visit. The venue hosts regular gigs and club nights and serves a 100-percent vegan menu in its bar and kitchen. Tasty food options include the Stereo Burger, which features a seitan and lentil patty, and Haggis Bon Bons and Mash (that’s deep-fried vegan haggis in beer batter with a side of creamy mashed potato).
Find it here
Soul Food Kitchen
3 Soul Food Kitchen
Glasgow
Soul Food Kitchen describes itself as a “haven for all things plant-based,” and we have to agree. Its menu is filled with nourishing, freshly made, nutritionally balanced meals, all of which are bursting with flavor. Check out options like the Cauliflower Steak, the Spring Lemongrass Soul Bowl, and the raw vegan Peanut Butter Cheesecake.
Find it here
Black Rabbit
4 Black Rabbit
Edinburgh
This alternative vegan coffee shop and deli is one of Edinburgh’s top plant-based destinations. Based on Brougham Street, it serves everything from pistachio croissants to bagels loaded with homemade seitan bacon and avocado. If you’re looking for the perfect lunch destination, it ticks all of the boxes.
Find it here
Sora Lella
5 Sora Lella
Edinburgh
Edinburgh’s Sora Lella is a slice of Rome in Scotland, so it’s basically a dream dining destination. Treat yourself to an evening of traditional plant-based Italian delights like Gnocchi alla Sorrentina, Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe, and Parmigiana pizza and you won’t be disappointed. Wash it all down with a classic Aperol Spritz, or perhaps a shot of Limoncello.
Find it here
Soul Vegan
6 Soul Vegan
Edinburgh
Similar to Glasgow’s Suissi Vegan Kitchen, expect to find a menu packed with Asian-inspired deliciousness at Soul Vegan in Edinburgh. Sweet & Sour Lion’s Mane, Katsu Curry with King Oyster Mushroom, and Salt & Pepper Lotus are just a few examples of what you can order at this popular spot on West Richmond Street.
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Culture Cafe & Deli
7 Culture Cafe & Deli
Inverness
If you’re heading out to enjoy the beauty of the Highlands, fuel up on a nourishing, fresh, delicious plant-based meal at Inverness’ Culture Cafe & Deli before you leave. The popular vegan spot serves up hearty, healthy delights like Smoked Aubergine BLTs, burritos, banana bread, toasties, and much more.
Find it here
Black Isle Bar
8 Black Isle Bar
Inverness
When you get back from your Highlands sightseeing trip, Black Isle Bar will be right there waiting. Feast on a handmade vegan wood-fired pizza while you sit back and enjoy one of its own beers (because it’s not just a bar, it’s a brewery, too!). There are often plenty of vegan options but double-check with the bartender before you order.
Find it here
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Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England’s southern coast.
