Plans unveiled for Scottish Chilli Festival

PLANS were unveiled today to hold Scotland’s first ever Chilli Festival at Scone Palace in Perthshire.

Scone Palace in Perth, where the Chilli Festival will be held. Picture: Complimentary

The Palace will play host to the celebration of all things chilli, including food, drink, and horticulture, over the weekend of 21 and 22 September.

A Palace spokeswoman said: “Organised by Chilli Fest (UK), the Great Scottish Braves Harvest Chilli Festival promises two days of fiery fun, with over 20 stands showcasing and selling everything from fresh curries, chilli chutneys and chocolate, to chilli ciders, chilli cocktails and cheese bombs.”

She added: “The highlight, at 3pm each day, will be a fiery chilli-eating contest, when brave – or foolhardy – competitors over 18 years old will line up to eat increasingly hot chillies including Bullet, Rocket, Scotch Bonnet and the odd Naga.

“Throughout the day, there’ll also be salsa music and entertainment, plus the Chilli Fest UK’s Liquid Bar - dedicated to serving the best chilli cocktails including Chilli Mojitos, Chilli Shooters and Chilli Tequila beer, plus a special new cocktail called ‘Bloody Wallace’ made especially made for the Scone event.”

Palace Administrator Elspeth Bruce said: “This summer has seen a proliferation of chilli festivals springing up across the UK, but we are delighted to be hosting the first ever in Scotland. Chillies are definitely the new hot ingredient, with amazing colours, and health benefits.

“The Chilli Festival at Scone will be a celebration of this universal food, with suppliers from far and wide, including Scotland’s own chilli farm.”