The best places to visit during Scotland food and drink fortnight

The Barrow Band will be on hand to entertain the flock at the Harvest Festival in Edinburgh

Starting today, the very best of Scotland’s food and drink is being showcased around the country. From the Highlands to the Lowlands, and the islands too, we have selected the best outdoors events for a month of flavour.

Jocktoberfest, Munlochy & Black Isle, today

Decisions, decisions: lamb burger after live music or before at Jocktoberfest (Jocktoberfest)

What do you get when you take a little bit of Munich and put it outside Inverness? Jocktoberfest! The two-day beer festival that boasts a range of good drinks, good food, music and of course camping. Previous years have boasted brews such as Berliner Weisse, known as the people’s champagne, and German-style Dunkel wheat beers. Top this all off with Black Isle’s own natively bred organic lamb burgers, with rosemary and mint, and you’re set for a good time. For more information go to blackislebrewery.com/jocktoberfest

The local area’s vibrant eating scene also includes light lunches at the No 1 Bistro, and more indulgent local favourites like pan-seared scallops and Highland steak available at the Dores Inn.

Loch Lomond Food and Drink Festival, until tomorrow

There is a haggis-eating competition, of course, at Loch Lomond Food and Drink Festival (Loch Lomond Food and Drink Festival)

Located by the picturesque Loch Lomond Shores, this food festival brings together the best of Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. Surrounded by natural beauty, there’s a haggis eating competition, cookery demos, music, storytelling, kid’s cookery classes and even a mini zoo for a weekend of all-round family fun. For more information visit lochlomondfoodanddrinkfestival.co.uk/

Try biting into Blairgowrie Scotch beef served with potato gratin and romanesco broccoli at the Monachyle Mhor. An 18th-century farmhouse-turned-hotel owned by AA rosette chef Tom Lewis.

Or chomp down on Puddledub pork belly with sweet corn purée and black pudding at Fruin Farm, which puts a “wee sprinkle of magic” into all of its traditional Scottish dishes.

Dundee Flower and Food Festival, Dundee, until tomorrow

Arbroath smokies vy with the scent of blooms at the Dundee Flower and Food Festival (Dundee Flower and Food Festival)

In fields of long grass, surrounded by the fresh aroma of Scottish chrysanthemums and dahlias, this aromatic festival is not one to miss. With celebrity chefs Tony Singh and Nick Nairn present, there are plenty of hot flavourful meals available to fill you up, alongside cake competitions and floral marquees. Go to dundeeflowerandfoodfestival.com/

The award-winning D’Arcy Thompson restaurant is just one example of the atmospheric dining experiences available here. The restaurant offers pub classics like ribeye steak served with wild mushrooms and hand-cut chips, alongside quirkier items such as prosecco jelly sprinkled with rose petals. And for drinks, try Draffens, a classic cocktail bar with a warm and homely atmosphere.

Huntly Hairst Food & Farming Festival, today

Catch a food demonstration at the Huntly Hairst Food & Farming Festival (Huntly Hairst Food & Farming Festival)

Some of Scotland’s best eating experiences are hidden away near the very north of the country. Travel to Huntly and enjoy celebrating the local food and produce in a festival centred around the farmers’ market. For more information visit huntlyhairst.co.uk

Alongside great food and drinks, such as The Creel Inn’s fresh shellfish and local ale collection, you can experience the town’s own unique cultural aspects. Travel a little further north to Moray Speyside and enjoy browsing the world’s largest concentration of whisky distilleries as you follow The Malt Whisky Trail, sipping on the ultimate selection of Scotch available anywhere.

Wee G & T Festival, Perth, 16 September

What better way to spend a Saturday than catching up with gin (Wee G&T/Facebook)

With more than 50 gins to sip, visiting Perth’s second annual G & T festival should be a sure stop on your journey around Scotland. Spirits will be high while you meet local distillers, attend workshops, and try a few gin-inspired recipes and cocktails.

And when you feel peckish, try hot pork belly, local Cupar venison, or leek and potato terrine at The North Port Restaurant. And for those who want something a little more foreign, Perth has you covered with its own café quarter, including the Café Tabou, a French brasserie with a selection of rich meats and baked cheeses.

Harvest Festival, Edinburgh, 17-18 September

Check out the best of the autumn crop at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE Harvest Festival)

Bringing Scotland’s food fortnight to a close, Edinburgh’s Harvest festival is a celebration of the passing vegetable growing year. Hosted in the beautiful Royal Botanic Garden, you can spend time learning how to cook and store crops, pick up some gardening tips, or just indulge your taste buds with a range of appetising tasters. Visit: http://www.rbge.org.uk/whats-on/event-details/4356

The Black Bird promises a good selection of “small plate” meals such as soups, prosciutto crudo, smoked duck and hot smoked salmon. And for drinks step into Panda and Sons, a speakeasy-style bar which offers adventurous takes on classic cocktails such as the “super tonic”, a G & T with vermouth, almond syrup and lemon juice to boot.

For more information on Scotland Food and Drink fortnight visit fooddrinkfort.scot or visitscotland.com