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Price per person: £1145 per person based on a booking of 2 people

This vacation is suitable for a booking of 2 people, two single friends or couples. Maximum number of guests is 4.

Currently no solo traveller bookings are possible.

There is no difference in price for a non-cooking guest.

 

 

 

2026 Availability:

March - November. Please enqure with your preferred dates

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5 Days and 4 nights Western Highlands and Islands of Scotland  

​​​​Highlights 

Experience Scotland’s magical landscapes.

A culinary treat for fans of the 'Outlander' books and TV series.

Transform Scottish ingredients from the sea, fields, and mountains to your plate.

Enjoy visits to country pubs.

Modern and traditional Scottish recipes.

Tastings of famous Scottish products.

Explore Scottish whisky with tastings.

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Description: 

The location for this unique Scottish cooking vacation experience is in Dalriada, once the ancient kingdom of Scotland, which is in the unspoilt coastal region now known as Mid Argyll. Your accommodation base will be in your own private cottage located in the small rural hamlet of Cairnbaan. Nearby is Dunadd (Fort), the historical capital of Scotland, where in the past Scotland's Kings were crowned. Cairnbaan is also the summit of the Crinan Canal, Britain’s most beautiful waterway shortcut. Whilst staying in Cairnbaan, not only will you discover some fabulous Scottish recipes you will also experience the wild and wonderful nature of rural Scottish life within this unique Scottish West Highlands area.

Scotland has available a wealth of natural produce from its rich mountains, glens, wild rivers and coastal area. This has allowed Scotland to develop a culinary repertoire of exceptional quality and diversity.

The presentation and delivery of this Scottish cooking and cultural vacation will be very informal, friendly and personal. The cooking classes are based in a traditional Scottish family style fully equipped cottage kitchen, and each Scottish cooking vacation will have between 2 to 4 guests. Participants can expect a fun week experiencing the ‘real’ Scotland combining traditional Scottish culture along with delicious Scottish food. You can expect to dine with the locals on at least one occasion as neighbours and friends will be invited to dinner to sample the amazing dishes we have prepared.

Your culinary host for this vacation will be Brian Gibbons, supported by Jane Chaplin. Both Brian and Jane have had many years' experiences in traditional and modern Scottish cooking. They are both enthusiastic about food and all that is involved in Scottish cooking.

 

On these vacations you will be cooking and preparing a variety of meats, fish, shellfish, and vegetables.

 

Some of the dishes you might cook and/or experience during your stay in Scotland:

Cullen skink [Smoked fish soup]

Fresh local mussels.

Gravlax (Preserved and cured fish)

Scottish Oatcakes, sweet and savoury scones, and shortbread

Traditional Scotch pies, normally made from mutton or lamb.

Cranachan (oatmeal raspberry, cream, oats, dessert)

Sticky Toffee pudding, a classic desert with a Scottish twist.

Haggis, the famous Scottish delicacy. Please note we do not make this as part of a cooking class!

Some of the dishes will vary according to the season of visit.

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Detailed holiday and vacation information 

Depending on your chosen month of travel, excursion experience may vary.

Scotland benefits from long summer days from the beginning of May to late August when daylight remains until around 11.00 pm. These seasonal variations will not affect the vacation itinerary but may assist you in planning your trip to suit your own preferences; Scotland offers fantastic visitor experiences during most seasons. Depending on which month you choose to visit, daily itineraries will be seasonal and variable but all inclusions will be covered. ​​

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Inclusions per person 5 days Scottish Cooking and Cultural vacation​: Flexible arrival day is available. 

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• Transfers, Outward transfer (from Glasgow area) by private taxi and return transfer by public transport, coach from Cairnbaan to Glasgow.

• All transport throughout the provision of the holiday activities and itinerary.

• 4 Nights’ accommodation in a private Scottish Highland cottage.

• 3 Scottish cooking sessions (3 to 4 hours each session) including a dedicated Scottish baking session.

• 4 Daily breakfasts, (self-catered) your cottage is stocked with a range of Scottish breakfast goodies for you to help yourself.

• 4 Lunches, these are mixed, at your cottage and on location.

• Traditional Scottish dinners. at Cairnbaan cook school with beverages.

• 1 Dinner out at local Scottish pub

• One whole day guided excursion to Oban with included visit to Oban distillery, Dunollie Museum and a pub lunch.

• Whisky tasting sessions

• Scottish cheese tasting session

• Visit to Kilmartin museum

• Engraved personalised Scottish Whisky flask

• Scottish cooking apron.

• Exclusive access to all recipes used in your cooking classes

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Itinerary

The following is a sample indicative itinerary only and should be used as a guide. 

Day 1: Taxi pick up from Glasgow area (not before 12.30 pm) and travel to Cairnbaan. Settle into your cottage, followed by an informal welcome meeting and dinner at Cairnbaan cook school, with a whisky tasting.

Day 2: Breakfast at your cottage, followed by a visit to Kilmartin museum. Lunch at your cottage, followed by your first Scottish Cooking session starting at around 4.00pm. Dinner at Cairnbaan cook school, various whisky tastings.

Day 3: Breakfast at your cottage: Full day visit to Oban, Dunollie castle guided tour, pub lunch in Oban and a visit to Oban distillery in the afternoon, return to cottage. Dinner tonight is at a nearby local Scottish pub.

Day 4: Breakfast at your cottage. Followed by your second Scottish cooking lesson, starting around 10.00. Lunch at Cairnbaan cook school. Return to Cook school for your third cooking lesson, which is a dedicated Scottish baking session. Dinner is served ‘High Tea’ style at Cairnbaan cook school some local friends may join us.

Day 5: Breakfast at your cottage, depart by 10.00 am.

 

Depending on dates of travel an additional night may be added to your stay , this will be provided free of charge and on a self catering basis. This will be offered at the time of enquiry.

 

 

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