8 September 2025
Travelling with Caledonian MacBrayne opens the door to Scotland’s island larder. From Arran and Mull to Skye, Islay, and beyond, each island has its own approach to food and drink, shaped by geography, community, and traditions. Freshly landed seafood, small-batch cheeses, local baking, and distinctive island whiskies, gins and rums are all part of the story. This guide explores the standout flavours and producers you’ll encounter across the islands, highlighting both well-known names and smaller finds. Presented island by island, it offers a practical way to plan your journey—and your meals—as you move through a diverse and distinctive food landscape.
Arran is often described as “Scotland in miniature,” and its food and drink reflect that variety. From seafood on the coast to distilleries in the hills, the island offers a mix of casual bites and carefully crafted produce.
Mull is one of the best places in Scotland for seafood, with fishing boats landing their catch straight to restaurants. Tobermory, the island’s colourful harbour town, is a natural starting point.
Skye combines world-class dining with traditional inns, alongside distilleries that define the island’s flavour profile.
Islay is best known for whisky, but it also has a growing casual food scene, much of it tied to the island’s fishing and farming.
The largest of the Outer Hebridean archipelago, the Isles of Lewis and Harris combine whisky production with small-scale innovation and destination dining.
Small in scale but abundant in flavour, Colonsay is celebrated for its community-driven food and drink culture. From fresh seafood and island-reared lamb to craft ales and honey, the island’s producers embody a strong spirit of collaboration.
Each island brings its own strengths—Islay with its whiskies, Mull with seafood, Arran with variety, Colonsay with small-scale producers. What they share is a close link between landscape and food. Travelling by ferry makes the journey as much a part of the experience as the meals themselves, connecting you to places where food is produced, cooked, and shared on island terms.
Ready to taste it for yourself? Plan your route and Opens in new windowbook now to begin exploring Scotland’s islands one meal, one dram, and one crossing at a time.
The people, produce and skill of the communities we sail to are often behind many of the items you enjoy onboard – from a fresh dish, a cup of coffee, a dram of whisky or a handcrafted gift. Caledonian MacBrayne’s suppliers are the small businesses, makers and producers who bring Scotland’s island communities to life.
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