Scotland’s top festive feasts: Find your perfect Christmas meal

By REBECCA MONKS
Published on 04/12/2012 14:08

Celebrate the best of the season’s food and drink at one of Scotland’s spectacular festive feasts.

Le Noel Provencal,

Bistrot de 
l’Institut Francais 
d’Ecosse, Edinburgh,

Tuesday,

£16 (£15 for members)

This year, Scotland’s biggest French festive feast will be in Edinburgh’s West End, as Bistrot de l’Institut Francais d’Ecosse embraces all the traditions of the grous 
souper (big supper).

The restaurant, known as a little corner of France in the heart 
of Edinburgh, is playing host to a Christmas evening, designed to bring an element of traditional French festivity to Scotland’s capital. 
The highlight will almost certainly be dessert. Tradition dictates the grous souper should feature 
not one, but 13 desserts, and who are we to argue? Sweet-toothed foodies form an 
orderly queue.

Booking is essential (0131-225 5366, www.ifecosse.org.uk/dinners)

In the Spirit of Christmas,

Culzean Castle, Maybole,

Friday,

£50

This is a unique Christmas dining event combining Scottish history with fine cuisine. The evening will begin with champagne and canapés in the armoury, before guests take a tour of the castle.

The occasion oozes luxury and, as diners tuck into a 
four-course dinner made 
from the finest locally sourced 
ingredients, a string quartet will play in the background. The evening will conclude 
with a performance from the 
Maybole Pipe Band, putting a final tartan touch on this evening of historic decadence. After the display, guests 
will be invited to relax with 
a glass of mulled wine.

This event is one for all gourmands seeking a classic Christmas experience, castle and all.

(0844 493 2149, www.culzeanexperience.org)

Christmas Wine and Dine,

Edinburgh Castle,

Sunday,

£52 (includes entry to castle)

As well as serving up their usual top-quality Christmas package, the team at Edinburgh Castle are hosting two special events this year that are not 
to be missed. The Christmas Wine and Dine features a 
menu of fine Scottish cuisine accompanied by a selection 
of wines hand-picked for 
each course.

Throughout the night 
the chef will personally introduce each dish to the diner, as the sommelier describes the wine selection 
for that particular course.

The menu is traditional 
Scottish, with dishes such 
as seared pigeon breast, 
terrine confit, loin of venison and poached salmon, though there is also a vegetarian option available.

The wine list ranges from 
a 2009 Cotes du Ventoux 
rouge to a 2011 Côtes du 
Rhône blanc.

To wrap everything up, 
dessert is a warm chocolate 
tart with caramelised pear, 
rum syrup and clotted cream.

(www.edinburghcastle.gov.uk/festive)

Burlesque Banquet,

Peckham’s, Glasgow,

Saturday,

£35

If you are looking for something a little more exciting than your average traditional Christmas dinner, make your way to Peckham’s in Glasgow. This event, advertised as an evening of decadent food 
and risqué performances, is 
a dinner like no other.

The chefs will provide an 
exquisite banquet, which will be served by 
candlelight. 
Meanwhile, a group of six 
burlesque dancers will be providing 
a distraction by performing a variety of risqué pieces for diners.

With a mix 
of group and solo pieces, elaborate costumes and some sensational music, this unique event promises to combine saucy entertainment with 
first-class food.

Expect sequins, seduction and gourmet satisfaction.

(www.peckhams.co.uk)