Search locations or food
OR
Sign up

What to eat in Scotland? Top 16 Scottish Cheeses

Last update: Sat Feb 15 2025
Top 16 Scottish Cheeses
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Scottish Cheese Types

01

Cheese

STRANRAER, Scotland
4.2
Seriously Strong Cheddar
Ate it? Rate it
Wanna try?
Add to list

Seriously Strong Cheddar is a Scottish cheese produced in Stranraer. The cheese is made from pasteurized cow's milk. It ages from 18 to 24 months, and there are six different versions of the cheese – apart from the Seriously Strong one, there are also grated, spreadable, chili-flavored, smoked, and vintage Strong Cheddars.


The basic version is crumbly, firm, flaky, and dense. The aromas are rich and strong, while the flavor is full, tangy, and savory. It's recommended to serve it with crackers, use it in sandwiches, or add it into cooked dishes.

02
Ate it? Rate it
Wanna try?
Add to list

This cheese has moderately intense acidic notes, while still remaining savory and nutty, with a clean aroma typical of Cheddar. Its texture is firm, smooth and closed, and the cheese is left to mature for 6 to 18 months, its flavor changing according to the maturation stage.


Medium cheddar has a slight savory flavor, mature cheddar has a slightly sharp, savory flavor, while extra mature cheddar has a brittle texture and a sharp, savory flavor and lactate crystals. Orkney cheddar is unique because of its production method called 'dry-stir', e.g. a method of constant stirring to stop the curd from bonding, giving it its unique texture. 
03

Cheese

SCOTLAND
3.9
Ate it? Rate it
Wanna try?
Add to list

Crowdie is a traditional fresh cheese made with cow's milk. It is produced by curdling skimmed milk with rennet. The texture of this cheese is creamy and crumbly, its flavor is sour, and its varieties can be enriched with herbs, oatmeal, or black peppercorns.


It is believed that Crowdie was introduced to the country by Vikings in the 8th century. Pair it with a glass of dry white wine and consume it with fruit or oatcakes.

04
Ate it? Rate it
Wanna try?
Add to list

Traditional Ayrshire Dunlop is a cylindrical, hard, pressed cheese made from Ayrshire cows' milk that is naturally pale yellow in color and has a smooth surface that feels moist to the touch. It can be mild, mature or extra mature, with the youngest maturing for a minimum of 6 months, and the oldest one can mature for up to 18 months.


Its flavor is nutty and mild, but as it matures, some stronger, sharper and creamy flavors start to emerge. It is sometimes compared to cheddar, but it has a different, moister texture and it is not as strong.

05

Cheese

TAIN, Scotland
n/a
Ate it? Rate it
Wanna try?
Add to list

Strathdon Blue is a Scottish blue cheese hailing from Tain, where it's been produced by the Stones family since 1851. The cheese is made from pasteurized Ayrshire and Friesian cow's milk. The texture is rich and creamy with blue veining running throughout the paste.


The aromas are powerful and rich, while the flavors are creamy and spicy with a slightly peppery finish. Strathdon Blue has won many awards, including Super Gold at the World Cheese Awards in 2014. It's recommended to use this cheese in cooking due to its pepperiness, so Strathdon Blue is often crumbled over steaks or burgers. 
Pair with
06

Cheese

FIFE, Scotland
n/a
Ate it? Rate it
Wanna try?
Add to list

Anster is a traditional farmhouse cheese made from the milk of Holstein Friesian cows. The cheese is produced by Jane Stewart in Fife. The texture of Anster is creamy and slightly crumbly. The aromas are milky and rich, while the flavor is milky, tangy, and fresh.


The cheese is matured for 8 weeks. It's named after the nearest town or region, in this case – Anstruther.

07

Cheese

NORTH LANARKSHIRE, Scotland
n/a
Ate it? Rate it
Wanna try?
Add to list

Lanark Blue is a traditional roquefort-style cheese produced by Selina Errington. The blue cheese is made from raw sheep's milk. It's settled into shape, then dipped in brine before it's left to rest for a month so that the mold develops on the rind.


Lanark Blue can be sold after 6 weeks of maturation up to 8 months. The texture is creamy, with blue veining running throughout the paste. The flavors are salty, creamy, sharp, rich, and tangy. It's recommended to pair it with a glass of Rioja or Bordeaux. 
08

Cheese

TAIN, Scotland
n/a
Ate it? Rate it
Wanna try?
Add to list

Blue Monday (now known as Blue Murder) is a Scottish blue cheese that's named after the famous New Order song. It was created by a celebrity – Alex James of Blur, the popular British band, along with a cheese expert named Juliet Harbutt.


This blue cheese is made from cow's milk, and it matures for up to 8 weeks. During the maturation period, it develops a mellow, soft, creamy texture. The flavors are savory, slightly sweet, buttery, spicy, and rich. It has a kick of chocolate and malt. 
09

Cheese

ISLE OF MULL, Scotland
n/a
Ate it? Rate it
Wanna try?
Add to list

Isle of Mull is a traditional cheese hailing from the archipelago of Inner Hebrides. This cheddar cheese is made from raw cow's milk and it's usually left to age for 18 months before consumption. Underneath its cloth-wrapped natural rind, the texture is creamy, chewy, and hard.


The aroma is yeasty and pungent, while the flavors are sharp, tangy, strong, and fruity. It's recommended to pair Isle of Mull with a glass of Merlot. This cheese has won many awards, including a gold medal at the British Cheese Awards.

10

Cheese

TAIN, Scotland
n/a
Ate it? Rate it
Wanna try?
Add to list

Morangie Brie is a Scottish brie-style cheese hailing from Tain, where it's produced by Highland Fine Cheeses. The cheese is made from pasteurized cow's or sheep's milk. Underneath its bloomy rind, the texture is smooth and creamy. The aromas are mild, sweet, and milky, while the flavors are smooth, sweet, meaty, and creamy.


This soft cheese goes well with red or white wines.

11
Cheese
TAIN, Scotland
n/a
12
Cheese
ISLE OF MULL, Scotland
n/a
13
Cheese
WIGTOWN, Scotland
n/a
14
Cheese
BALLATER, Scotland
n/a
15
Cheese
KINFAUNS, Scotland
n/a
16
Cheese
ROXBURGHSHIRE, Scotland
n/a
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Scottish Cheese Producers

01

Cheese

INVERNESS, Scotland
5.0
Rate it
Wanna try?
Add To List

Connage Highland Dairy is a family-owned, fully organic business located in Inverness, Scotland. It produces a variety of traditional cheeses using milk from its own herd of organic, grass-fed cows. Their range includes cheddars, bries, and blues, all made with a focus on sustainability and locally sourced ingredients.


The dairy also operates an on-site shop and offers cheese-tasting events.
AWARDS

International Cheese Awards - Gold

2022, 2019

02

Cheese

STRANRAER, Scotland
5.0
Rate it
Wanna try?
Add To List
Caledonian Cheese Company, based in Stranraer, Scotland, is a major producer of cheese, specializing in cheddar types. It is part of the Lactalis Group, a global leader in the dairy industry. The facility in Stranraer uses milk from local farms, ensuring a supply of fresh ingredients for their cheese production.
AWARDS

Global Cheese Awards - Gold

2018

BEST Caledonian Cheese Cheeses
03

Cheese

CULTYBRAGGAN CAMP, Scotland
5.0
Rate it
Wanna try?
Add To List
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars

2024

BEST Strathearn Cheese Company Cheeses
04

Cheese

HADDINGTON, Scotland
5.0
Rate it
Wanna try?
Add To List

Yester Farm Dairies, located in Haddington, East Lothian, Scotland, is a family-operated business that produces a variety of dairy products. The farm is committed to creating products using milk from their own herd of cows. Their range includes artisan cheeses, yogurts, and creams.


Yester Farm Dairies emphasizes sustainability and the welfare of their animals in their production processes.
AWARDS

International Cheese Awards - Gold

2022

BEST Yester Farm Dairies Cheeses
05

Cheese

WALSTON, Scotland
4.9
Rate it
Wanna try?
Add To List
Errington Cheese is a cheese producer based in Scotland. The company specializes in crafting artisan cheeses from sheep’s milk, including their well-known Lanark Blue cheese. Errington Cheese was established in 1983 by Humphrey Errington, and it emphasizes traditional methods in cheese production.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold

2022

World Cheese Awards - Gold

2023, 2022

BEST Errington Cheese Cheeses
06
Rate it
Wanna try?
Add To List
St Andrews Farmhouse Cheese Company is located in Scotland. The company is known for producing cheese using traditional methods and milk from their own herd of cows. They produce a range of cheeses, including the Anster cheese, which is handmade and matures for two to four months.
AWARDS

International Cheese Awards - Gold

2023, 2022

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars

2024, 2023, 2021

07
Rate it
Wanna try?
Add To List
The Island Cheese Company Ltd - Isle of Arran Cheese is based on the Isle of Arran, Scotland, not England. This producer specializes in creating a variety of cheeses, notably their cheddar cheeses, using traditional methods. Their cheese shop is located at Home Farm, near Brodick, and they incorporate unique local flavors into their products.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold

2021

BEST The Island Cheese Company Ltd - Isle of Arran Cheese Cheeses
08

Cheese

TOBERMORY, Scotland
4.9
Rate it
Wanna try?
Add To List
BEST Isle of Mull Cheese Cheeses
09

Cheese

ROTHESAY, Scotland
n/a
Rate it
Wanna try?
Add To List

Bute Island Foods is a producer based on the Isle of Bute in Scotland, with over 30 years of experience in creating award-winning plant-based cheese alternatives. Their brand, Sheese, offers a wide range of products, including blocks, grated cheeses, slices, and spreads, all of which are dairy-free, gluten-free, non-GMO, kosher-certified, and suitable for vegans.


Bute Island Foods takes pride in ethical sourcing, ensuring that no animals are involved in obtaining ingredients, and their production facility is dedicated to allergen-free manufacturing to prevent cross-contamination. Their mission is to enable everyone to enjoy delicious, appealing food without compromise when it comes to plant-based cheese alternatives.
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Scottish Cheeses

01
Rate it
Wanna try?
Add To List

Blackmount is a raw milk ashed lactic goats milk pyramid made with milk from our small herd of dairy goats, it is made with vegetarian rennet and is yeast ripened so it softens from the outside in if left to mature long enough. Blackmount is the hill behind our farm which forms the start of the Pentland Hills which go right up to Edinburgh.


It develops citrus and fresh flavours from the middle and the rind becomes slightly spicy as it ripens.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold

2022

02
Rate it
Wanna try?
Add To List

St Andrews Farmhouse Cheese Company produces a cheese product called Farmhouse Cheshire style aged 2 months. This cheese is made using traditional methods on their farm in Fife, Scotland. It features a crumbly yet creamy texture characteristic of Cheshire-style cheeses, and a rich, tangy flavor profile that develops during the aging process.


The milk used in production is sourced from their own herd of Holstein Friesian cows, ensuring the highest quality and traceability.
AWARDS

International Cheese Awards - Gold

2023

03
Rate it
Wanna try?
Add To List

Seriously Strong is a brand of cheese produced by Caledonian Cheese Company. This product is known for its rich, full-bodied flavor and robust taste. It is particularly popular in the UK, where it has developed a loyal following of cheese enthusiasts.


The cheese is crafted using traditional methods to ensure a high-quality product with a distinctive sharpness that sets it apart from milder varieties.
AWARDS

Global Cheese Awards - Gold

2018

04
Rate it
Wanna try?
Add To List

Aged Gouda produced by Connage Highland Dairy is known for its distinctive nutty and salty flavor that leaves a lingering taste on the palate. This cheese achieves its complexity through a careful aging process, allowing its rich flavors to fully develop.


The dairy, based in the Scottish Highlands, follows traditional methods to ensure the highest quality and authenticity in their products.
AWARDS

International Cheese Awards - Gold

2019

05
Rate it
Wanna try?
Add To List
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars

2024

06
Rate it
Wanna try?
Add To List

Connage Highland Dairy produces an Aged Gouda that is matured for 18 months. It has a distinctive, rich, and complex flavor profile that develops over its extended aging period. The cheese is known for its firm texture and caramel-like sweetness combined with a savory depth.


Aged Gouda 18 months from Connage Highland Dairy is often enjoyed on cheese boards or used in gourmet recipes. The dairy is located in the Highlands of Scotland, known for its high-quality, traditionally-made cheeses.
AWARDS

International Cheese Awards - Gold

2022

07
Rate it
Wanna try?
Add To List

Connage Highland Dairy produces a variety of artisan cheeses in Scotland, and one of their unique creations is a Gouda with cumin seeds added for an eastern flavor. This cheese combines the creamy, mild qualities of traditional Gouda with the aromatic and slightly spicy notes of cumin, creating a distinct taste experience.


The addition of cumin seeds introduces a subtle warmth and a hint of earthiness that complements the rich, buttery texture of the Gouda.
AWARDS

International Cheese Awards - Gold

2019

08
Rate it
Wanna try?
Add To List

The Farmhouse cheddar style made by St Andrews Farmhouse Cheese Company utilizes raw milk in its production process. This cheese is carefully aged for a period of 12 months, allowing it to develop a rich and complex flavor profile. Farmers and cheesemakers at St Andrews are meticulous about their craft, resulting in a high-quality product.


The aging process gives the cheddar a distinctive character, often appreciated by cheese connoisseurs.
AWARDS

International Cheese Awards - Gold

2022

09
Rate it
Wanna try?
Add To List
AWARDS

International Cheese Awards - Gold

2022

10
Rate it
Wanna try?
Add To List
AWARDS

International Cheese Awards - Gold

2022

11
12
13
14
15
16

TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.

Show Map
Scottish Cheeses