TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Scottish Cheese Types
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Scottish Cheese Producers
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
![2 stars](/images/productawards/c6eb14d3d0b14360beeec503135d12b6.png?w=160)
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2022, 2019
BEST Connage Highland Dairy Cheeses
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
![2 stars](/images/productawards/c6eb14d3d0b14360beeec503135d12b6.png?w=160)
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2022
BEST Yester Farm Dairies Cheeses
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/adebecb10e624b828ea4241794e6b268.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022
![2 stars](/images/productawards/a7f0291437514d61af27aa761d02648d.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2022
BEST Errington Cheese Cheeses
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/c6eb14d3d0b14360beeec503135d12b6.png?w=160)
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2022
![2 stars](/images/productawards/7ac059a25607488b88979b1a12696831.png?w=160)
Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2024, 2023, 2021
BEST St Andrews Farmhouse Cheese Company Cheeses
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/685193743a86424ba705bab09e33a2be.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2021
BEST The Island Cheese Company Ltd - Isle of Arran Cheese Cheeses
BEST Isle of Mull Cheese Cheeses
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
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
![2 stars](/images/productawards/adebecb10e624b828ea4241794e6b268.png?w=160)
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022
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
![2 stars](/images/productawards/407ba31c2a1a4150908862ae40775916.png?w=160)
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2023
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
![2 stars](/images/productawards/8dd5722b76f9447e9501dfd84a434a38.png?w=160)
Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2018
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
![2 stars](/images/productawards/c1c1a0e931c2412b915bc06cf14c6c2a.png?w=160)
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2019
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/047a35279e9d4f73be3b4005822bcb28.png?w=160)
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2024
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
![2 stars](/images/productawards/c6eb14d3d0b14360beeec503135d12b6.png?w=160)
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2022
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
![2 stars](/images/productawards/c1c1a0e931c2412b915bc06cf14c6c2a.png?w=160)
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2019
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
![2 stars](/images/productawards/c6eb14d3d0b14360beeec503135d12b6.png?w=160)
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2022
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/c6eb14d3d0b14360beeec503135d12b6.png?w=160)
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2022
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/c6eb14d3d0b14360beeec503135d12b6.png?w=160)
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2022
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