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What to eat in Scotland? Top 14 Scottish Cow's Milk Cheeses

Last update: Fri Apr 11 2025
Top 14 Scottish Cow's Milk Cheeses
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Scottish Cow's Milk Cheese Types

01

Cheese

STRANRAER, Scotland
4.2
Seriously Strong Cheddar
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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. 
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06

Cheese

FIFE, Scotland
n/a
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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

TAIN, Scotland
n/a
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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. 
08

Cheese

ISLE OF MULL, Scotland
n/a
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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.

09

Cheese

TAIN, Scotland
n/a
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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.

10

Cheese

TAIN, Scotland
n/a
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Caboc is Scotland's oldest cheese, made with cow's milk. This double-cream cheese is made without rennet and ages naturally. It is shaped into logs that are rolled in toasted pinhead oatmeal. The texture is creamy and smooth, a bit thicker than clotted cream, while the flavors are nutty, buttery, mild, and tangy.


Caboc was first produced in the 15th century, when it was reserved for the wealthy. It is believed that Mariota de Ile, the daughter of chieftain Macdonald of the Isles first developed the recipe, then passed it on to her daughter, and the recipe has been fluctuating over the generations. 
11
Cheese
ISLE OF MULL, Scotland
n/a
12
Cheese
BALLATER, Scotland
n/a
13
Cheese
KINFAUNS, Scotland
n/a
14
Cheese
ROXBURGHSHIRE, Scotland
n/a
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Scottish Cow's Milk Cheese Producers

01

Cheese

TOBERMORY, Scotland
4.4
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AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold

2024

BEST Isle of Mull Cheese Cheeses
02
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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

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars

2024, 2023, 2021

International Cheese Awards - Gold

2024, 2023, 2022

BEST St Andrews Farmhouse Cheese Company Cheeses
03

Cheese

CULTYBRAGGAN CAMP, Scotland
3.9
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AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars

2024

BEST Strathearn Cheese Company Cheeses
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Scottish Cow's Milk Cheeses

01
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AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold

2024

02
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St Andrews Farmhouse Cheddar is a traditional farmhouse cheese produced by the St Andrews Farmhouse Cheese Company in Scotland. The cheese is made using milk sourced from the company's own herd of Holstein Friesian cows, ensuring full control over the quality and characteristics of the primary ingredient.


The cheese is hand-crafted using time-honored techniques and is aged for a minimum of nine months to develop its rich, complex flavors. St Andrews Farmhouse Cheddar is known for its firm yet creamy texture and sharp, tangy taste with a hint of nuttiness.
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars

2024, 2021

03
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AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars

2024

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.

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Scottish Cow's Milk Cheeses