Karibu cottage, your home for your Scottish vacation.

The cottages on the Crinan Canal.

Mussel harvesting in Scotland.

The Cairnbaan hamlet in the distance.

Hot smoked scottish salmon on your culinary tour of Scotland

Dunstaffnage Castle on your Scottish culinary holiday

Bradan rost (hote smoked salmon).

The Island of Mull seen on your culinary tour of Scotland

Making gravlax during your Scottish cooking vacation.

Kilmory Knapp Chapel visited on your culinary tour of Scotland

The view of the canal from your cottage.

Oban seafront from roadside.

A view of Scotland and the Crinan canal

Travelers on a ferry in Oban Harbor looking back toward the city

A view of Loch Fyne during your culinary tour of Scotland

The cottage garden.

Visiting the islands by boat during your culinary tour of Scotland

The Island of Tobermory during your culinary tour of Scotland

Wild garlic gathered during your culinary tour of Scotland

Sitting room of cottage in Scotland

Scotland private cottage for your cooking vacation

A Garden party during your Scottish culinary vacation

Cycling the Crinan Canal route during your culinary vacation in Scotland

Crinan canal near your B&B for your Scottish culinary tour

A boat ride to Corryvreckan on our Scottish foodie tour

Cooks hard at work on our Scottish cooking vacation

Time with the chef on our Scottish cooking vacation

Oban and Dunollie on our foodie tour of Scotland

Baby lambs in springtime, on our foodie tour of Scotland

Kilmartin Valley visited on our culinary tour of Scotland

Culinary travelers toasting with friends.

Haggis in whiskey sauce enjoyed on our culinary vacation in Scotland

Dunstaffnage, Scotland, visited during our foodie tour of Scotland

Bedroom at the cottage in Scotland.

Chef Jane and some of her pupils

Castle Sween as seen on our Scottish culinary vacations

The beach in northern Scotland visited on a culinary vacation in the UK

Cooks enjoying our culinary vacation in Scotland

Living room at the cottage in Scotland.

Kitchen at the cottage in Scotland.

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Overview

Scotland Food Tours 2024-2025

4-night itinerary also available – please inquire!

Your home for this unique Scottish cooking vacation is Dalriada, once the kingdom of ancient Scotland, which is located in the unspoiled coastal region known as the Mid Argyll. Stay near Dunadd, the historical capital of Scotland, where Scottish kings used to be crowned, and experience the wild and wonderful nature of rural Scottish life in this unique Scottish Highlands area. Our excursions for our week long Scotland culinary vacations vary by season, and will include such fun trips as guided whiskey tastings, visits to the Scottish islands, excursions to castles, forts, stone circles, and more.

Scotland has a wealth of natural products that you will discover on your cooking holiday in Scotland, and that you will use to create your meals. Produce from the rich mountains and glens, wild game from the moorlands, venison from the mountains, salmon and trout from the rivers, shellfish of all kinds from the sea, and beef and lamb from the Highland herds: all will delight you during your Scotland tour. You will use these ingredients and more to create a wide variety of delicious feasts featuring traditional and modern Scottish dishes.

The presentation and delivery of this Scottish cooking and cultural vacation will be very informal, friendly and personal. The cooking classes are based in a traditional Scottish family style fully equipped kitchen and each Scottish cooking vacation will be limited to a maximum of 4 guests. Participants can expect a fun week experiencing the ‘real’ Scotland combining traditional Scottish culture along with delicious Scottish food. You can expect to dine with the locals on at least one occasion as neighbors and friends will always be invited to dinner to sample the amazing dishes we have prepared.

Latest Review

We gave this trip 5 stars

★★★★★

Thomas & Charles (Dan)

IL - Illinois

"Undiscovered Scotland" was our second vacation with The International Kitchen. Our recent trip to Cairnbaan, Scotland, along the Crinan Canal in the Argyll and Bute area, was nothing short of amazing. Jane and Brian, our delightful hosts, made the experience unforgettable with their warmth and hospitality. We spent our days learning to cook traditional Scottish dishes such as Cullen Skink, Bannock, Cock-a-leekie, Scotch pies, Oatcakes, Tattie Scones, and Bridies. The hands-on cooking sessions were both fun and informative, making us feel like true locals. Staying at the Karibu Cottage was a great choice; its proximity to Jane and Brian’s home meant we could easily walk over for our cooking lessons. The cottage was cozy and well-equipped, providing the perfect base for our explorations. We also had the pleasure of meeting some of their friends, neighbors, and locals, which added a genuine community feel to our stay. The area itself is steeped in ancient history, with fascinating sites like rock carvings, standing stones, and monuments dating back 5,000 years. We particularly enjoyed walking along the Crinan Canal, taking in the serene landscapes, and watching the boats navigate the locks. One of the highlights of our trip was the distillery and castle tour in Oban, which was both educational and enjoyable. Jane and Brian also took us on several excursions, including a visit to the Kilmartin Museum and a nature walk, where we gained a deeper appreciation of the region’s history and culture. Overall, our vacation was a perfect blend of culinary adventure, historical exploration, and warm hospitality. Jane and Brian truly went above and beyond to make our stay memorable, and we left with not only new cooking skills but also fond memories of our time in Scotland. Highly recommend! Tom & Dan

Scotland Cooking Vacation Details

Your week long culinary vacation in Scotland includes everything you would expect from a cooking vacation with The International Kitchen, including:

4 cooking classes in a family-style kitchen with local Scottish cook Jane Chaplin
cultural excursions exploring the Scottish countryside, towns, and history
accommodations in a charming private cottage
meals as indicated
and more!

Please note that this is a sample itinerary for your Scotland cooking vacation. Adjustments may be made based on the season, the weather, the specific dates booked, or the travelers’ interests. It is also possible to do a condensed, 4-night itinerary – please inquire!

Day One – Saturday

Arrival at Glasgow airport and private transfer to the Mid Argyll (earliest pickup time is 12:00 noon). Upon arrival check in to your cottage. Meet with your instructor Jane, then relax and settle in for a couple of hours.
Depending on the time of year, you may wish to go for a walk to explore the local area or just relax.
Dinner will be served at the cooking school around 7 pm when you will have an informal meeting to discuss further and plan the aspects of your stay and ask any questions that you may have. Please note: the cooking school is located about 400 yards from your accommodation at the cottage. Access is along the old towpath road of the Crinan Canal, a flat, safe, quiet road with a smooth surface and very picturesque. You will walk between your cottage and the cooking school at various times throughout your stay.

Day Two – Sunday

Breakfast most mornings will be at your cottage, and you will help yourself from the fresh provisions supplied for you, and the stores will be restocked during your stay as needed. (Please let us know of any special requests!). One morning you will have a full Scottish breakfast at the cooking school.
Today you will be able to start your explorations of the area with a visit to the nearby Kilmartin Museum. The museum has recently reopened again in the summer of 2024 after going through a £4,000.000 renovation. (Transfers to and from the museum are provided, the visit itself is self-guided.)
Lunch will be provided for you at your cottage at 1.30pm.
In the afternoon free time to continue your explorations. You may want to explore the picturesque Crinan Canal, or your hosts can make other suggestions.
This afternoon around 4pm your first cooking class, with dinner to follow based on your efforts. You might make any of the following dishes during your cooking classes this week: Cullen skink (smoked fish soup), Braden Rost (hot smoked salmon), oatcakes and oatmeal baps, Scotch pies, Cranachan (dessert), and yes, even haggis.

Day Three – Monday

Breakfast, and then enjoy the first of two full day excursions that you will enjoy this week. You can choose from the following options. All arrangements are made before your arrival, including tours, tickets and public transport, and all associated costs are included:
- 1) Day trip to Oban town, pub lunch and Oban whisky distillery guided tour, depart 9.45am and return 6.30 pm
- 2) Day trip to Inveraray town and Inverary castle guided tour, depart 9.45 am and return 4.30 pm
- 3) Day trip to the island of Mull, and Tobermory whisky distillery, guided tour and whisky tastings Depart 7.00am and return 6.30 pm
- 4) Day trip to Mull of Kintyre and Campbelltown Springbank distillery guided tour and whisky tastings, depart 9.00am and return 4.00pm
This evening upon your return, enjoy a full Scottish high tea at your cottage.

Day Four – Tuesday

Breakfast and your next cooking session, followed by lunch.
The afternoon has a range of options for you to choose from:
- Visit to Castle Sween and Kilmory chapel
- Historical Walk along the Crinan canal
- Visit Dunadd fort and Carnasserie Castle.
This evening around 7.00pm you will be accompanied to a local pub for dinner. Tayvallich is a small, picturesque village located in a natural harbor, about a 15-minute drive from your cottage.

Day Five – Wednesday

Breakfast, followed by free time and lunch.
This afternoon, around 1 pm, enjoy a walking exploration of the Kilmartin Valley. Your vacation is based in one of the most historically significant areas of the United Kingdom, and your walk (on mostly flat ground) will take you back through 5000 years of history. You will see some of the most beautiful countryside in Scotland, and will experience standing stones, stone circles, cairns and rock carvings that date back to the Bronze Age.
Dinner on your own this evening at a local pub or restaurant. You will be provided with our suggestions and a taxi service provided to and from your chosen location.

Day Six – Thursday

Breakfast at the cottage.
Today you will have your second full-day excursion. The list again is:
- 1) Day trip to Oban town, pub lunch and Oban whisky distillery guided tour, depart 9.45am and return 6.30 pm
- 2) Day trip to Inveraray town and Inverary castle guided tour, depart 9.45 am and return 4.30 pm
- 3) Day trip to the island of Mull, and Tobermory whisky distillery, guided tour and whisky tastings Depart 7.00am and return 6.30 pm
- 4) Day trip to Mull of Kintyre and Campbelltown Springbank distillery guided tour and whisky tastings, depart 9.00am and return 4.00pm
Tonight, on your return you will enjoy a traditional Scottish meal of Fish and Chips followed by “Lairds Trifle.” You can also sample a few Scottish whiskies.

Day Seven – Friday

After breakfast, beginning around 10 am, you will have your last cooking course, in which you will help decide the menu. Lunch to follow based on your efforts.
Afternoon at leisure to enjoy your last day in Scotland!
Farewell dinner at the cooking school.

Day Eight – Saturday

Breakfast, and departure to Glasgow city center via coach from Lochgilphead. (You can transfer to the airport from there.) Please note that the earliest you can arrive back in Glasgow city center is 10.35 am.

Please note that this is a sample itinerary for your Scotland cooking vacation. Adjustments may be made based on the season, the weather, the specific dates booked, or the travelers’ interests.