Scottish Cheese OR Scottish Charcuterie Tasting at Errichel

The best part of this Errichel experience is its focus: five carefully chosen Scottish cheeses or five charcuterie items, not a hurried parade of samples. Becky talks you through what you are tasting, how the flavors work with chutney and other accompaniments, and what to look for next time you shop.

I like the useful tasting map and flavour wheel you take home, and I like that you can buy many of the featured foods in the deli afterward. The setting above Aberfeldy adds real pleasure, too, with broad views across the valley. The main catch is that you must choose cheese or charcuterie when booking. Changes are not accepted on the day.

Key points to know before booking

• Choose one tasting: Cheese begins at 2:15pm, while charcuterie begins at 2:45pm.
• Five Scottish samples: Each session includes five cheeses or five artisan charcuterie items, plus accompaniments and homemade chutneys.
• Small group format: The maximum group size is eight, allowing time for questions and personal guidance.
• Take home practical notes: You receive a Scotland tasting map, tasting guidelines, and a flavour wheel.
• Errichel adds more than food: The tasting takes place at Thyme Delicatessen, with a farm shop, café-style treats, and attractive valley views.
• Drinks cost extra: Alcohol is not included, though upgraded cheese and wine or charcuterie and beer options are available for a supplement.

Five Scottish tastes in a 50-minute session

This is a compact tasting, but it is not simply a plate placed in front of you. The session begins with an introduction to the five items, followed by an explanation of what makes each one distinctive. You then taste through the selection with accompaniments chosen to bring out different flavors.

That structure matters. A cheese or cured meat can taste quite different when paired with chutney, and the guide explains why. You are not just eating five small portions. You are learning a simple method for comparing texture, salt, smoke, sweetness, and strength.

The tasting lasts about 50 minutes. That is long enough for a proper introduction without taking over your afternoon in Aberfeldy. I would allow extra time before or after for the deli and the views, since the food shop is part of the appeal.

The group limit of eight is another plus. A large food tasting can become a lecture where you barely hear the guide. Here, the small number should make it easier to ask about ingredients, pairings, and other Scottish producers.

Cheese at 2:15pm: a guided Scottish sampler

The cheese session includes five artisan Scottish cheeses, with more than one local cheese in the selection. The exact cheeses can change, so you should not book expecting a fixed menu. That is a small limitation if you have your heart set on one particular variety, but it also allows the selection to reflect what is available.

Each cheese comes with tasting guidance and an accompanying element. The homemade chutneys are made by Chef Paul Newman, and they give the platter a stronger sense of place than generic crackers or supermarket relish would.

A particularly useful feature is the way the session links food and place. Your tasting map helps you see where Scottish cheeses come from, while the flavour wheel gives you words for what you are noticing. If you usually like cheese but struggle to describe why, these tools make the experience more useful.

Several cheeses praised in the tasting include Strathearn and Kintyre Smoked, though the current selection is not guaranteed. The smoked cheese is a good example of why a guided tasting helps. Smoke can dominate a plate when eaten alone, but a sweet or sharp accompaniment may soften it and make the flavor more balanced.

The cheese experience suits you best if you enjoy slow eating and want to learn enough to make better choices later. It is not designed as a full lunch. The five portions and accompaniments can leave you pleasantly full, but you should not expect a multi-course meal.

Charcuterie at 2:45pm: Scottish meat with useful pairing advice

The charcuterie session follows the same format, with five artisan Scottish items and a guide to their character. You learn about the individual meats, taste them with accompaniments, and receive a Scotland charcuterie map and flavour wheel to keep.

The session is a good fit if you prefer savory food, smoky notes, or cured meats to dairy. It is also a practical introduction to pairing. Beer can be added as an upgraded option, but it is not part of the standard price. If you want the drink pairing, choose the correct upgraded booking in advance.

The blacky ham was singled out as a good item to buy afterward, though the exact stock in the deli can vary. That ability to continue the tasting at home gives the session more value than a one-off plate. You can ask about what you liked, buy a few items, and recreate a simple Scottish spread for friends.

The charcuterie tasting is also a sensible choice for someone who wants food education without a formal cooking class. You will not be making the products, but you will gain a clearer sense of how curing, smoke, salt, and accompaniments affect the final taste.

Becky’s friendly, hands-on style

The guide is a major part of this experience. Becky explains the products in a friendly way and gives enough detail to make the tasting interesting without turning it into a technical course.

That tone matters. Food tastings can sometimes feel stiff, especially when the guide assumes you already know the difference between every style of cheese or cured meat. Here, the explanations are intended for ordinary food lovers. You can ask questions, compare preferences, and get suggestions for other products you might enjoy.

Becky has also been praised for making the experience comfortable for groups with different needs. If your party wants both cheese and charcuterie, contact Errichel directly before booking. The standard arrangement requires you to select one option, but a mixed group may be possible by special arrangement.

The setting adds to the relaxed mood. Errichel sits outside Aberfeldy at Thyme Delicatessen, with views over the surrounding valley. The scenery remains part of the experience even on a wet Scottish day, and the food gives you a good reason to linger indoors when the weather turns dreich.

The Errichel setting and the deli afterward

The tasting starts and ends at Thyme Delicatessen, Errichel, Aberfeldy PH15 2EL. You do not transfer between several stops, so the practical side is easy. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

The attached deli is not an afterthought. It gives you a chance to buy cheeses, charcuterie, jams, chutneys, and other food gifts. You may also find pre-prepared meals made by the chef, including dishes such as venison tagine and lamb kleftiko, though availability can change.

There are cakes and coffee as well, making the stop work for someone in your group who wants to sit out the tasting. One person can watch with tea and cake while another takes part, although the tasting itself is the main reason to book.

I like this setup because it gives the food a practical afterlife. You can taste an item, ask how it pairs, then decide if you want to buy it. That is more useful than leaving with only a memory and a small printed card.

The farm setting also works well for families combining activities. A separate farm tour has included encounters with sheep, pigs, chickens, peafowl, ducks, and geese, and young children have enjoyed feeding the animals. The farm tour is not part of this 50-minute tasting, so treat it as a possible additional activity rather than part of the booking.

Is $39.78 good value?

At $39.78 per person, this is not a cheap snack. It is a paid tasting with five artisan products, guided explanation, accompaniments, homemade chutneys, and take-home tasting materials.

I think the price is fair if you value local food and plan to use the information afterward. The map and flavour wheel are small items, but they help you remember what you tasted. The chance to shop at the deli adds value, especially if you want to buy a favorite cheese or charcuterie item.

The price is less appealing if you simply want a large meal. This is a tasting portion, not a restaurant lunch. You are paying for the selection, guidance, local focus, and setting as much as for the food itself.

Alcohol is excluded. Wine with cheese and beer with charcuterie can be booked as upgraded versions for an additional charge. If you want a drink pairing, check that you have chosen the upgraded option rather than assuming it is included.

For a birthday, Christmas present, or food-focused afternoon in Perthshire, the cost makes more sense. The session feels like an activity, not just a purchase of five bites.

Timing, group size, and booking details

The cheese tasting starts at 2:15pm. The charcuterie tasting starts at 2:45pm. These are separate sessions, and you need to book the option you want because Errichel cannot change you from one to the other on the day.

That timing can work well with a morning visit to the area or a separate farm activity beforehand. If you are arranging a full day, leave enough space for driving to Errichel, the tasting itself, and time in the deli afterward.

The maximum group size is eight. That is a useful limit for a guided food session because you should be able to hear the explanation and take part in the conversation.

The experience is offered in English. Mobile tickets are accepted, and confirmation is sent at booking. Service animals are allowed.

Cancellation is free if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. A cancellation or change made inside that window is not accepted for a refund, so make the cheese or charcuterie decision carefully.

Who should book the cheese tasting?

Choose the cheese session if you like comparing textures and flavors, want to learn about Scottish producers, or would enjoy taking a tasting map home. It is also a good choice if you want to buy cheese afterward and need help choosing varieties that suit your taste.

The session works for couples, small groups, and food-minded families, though very young children may get more from the farm activities than from the tasting itself. A person who does not want to eat cheese can still enjoy the setting, but the standard booking is built around the cheese platter.

This is a particularly good stop for anyone staying in or passing through Aberfeldy. You get a local food experience without committing most of the day.

Who should book the charcuterie tasting?

Choose charcuterie if you prefer savory cured meats or want to learn how beer and accompaniments can work with them. The optional beer upgrade makes this the more natural choice for a drink-and-food pairing, though the standard tasting does not include alcohol.

It also suits someone buying a food gift or putting together a Scottish platter at home. The deli gives you a chance to continue with products such as ham, chutney, and other prepared foods.

If dietary requirements matter, contact Errichel before booking. The tasting includes meat products, and the arrangements for special needs are not fully detailed in the booking information.

The drawbacks to keep in mind

The biggest issue is the fixed choice between cheese and charcuterie. You cannot arrive and swap based on your mood, and a group wanting both needs to contact Errichel directly.

The second point is portion size. The five-item platter can be filling, especially with chutney and accompaniments, but it is still a tasting. If you are hungry after a long day outdoors, plan another meal.

The drink pairings cost extra, and the exact products may vary. That is normal for artisan food, but it means you should treat the sample menu as a guide rather than a promise of specific cheeses or meats.

Finally, the location is outside Aberfeldy at Errichel, so you need to arrange your own way there. The information provided does not include transport from Aberfeldy or another town.

Should you book the Errichel tasting?

Yes, if you care about Scottish food and want a small, friendly session with a clear local focus. I especially like the combination of five guided samples, homemade chutneys, useful tasting notes, and a deli where you can buy what you enjoyed.

Choose cheese at 2:15pm or charcuterie at 2:45pm, and make that choice before you arrive. If you want wine or beer, select the upgraded version. For food lovers visiting Aberfeldy, this is a well-sized afternoon activity that gives you something to taste, something to learn, and something practical to take home.

FAQ

Where does the tasting take place?

The tasting takes place at Thyme Delicatessen, Errichel, Aberfeldy PH15 2EL, UK.

How long does the experience last?

The tasting lasts approximately 50 minutes.

What time is the cheese tasting?

The Scottish Cheese Tasting begins at 2:15pm.

What time is the charcuterie tasting?

The Scottish Charcuterie Tasting begins at 2:45pm.

Can I change from cheese to charcuterie on the day?

No. You must book the option you want, since changes cannot be accommodated on the day.

What is included in the standard price?

You receive a platter of five Scottish cheeses or five Scottish charcuterie items, accompaniments, Chef Paul Newman’s homemade chutneys, a tasting map, tasting guidelines, a flavour wheel, and a guided introduction to each item.

Are wine or beer included?

No. Alcoholic drinks are not included. Upgraded versions with wine for the cheese tasting or beer for the charcuterie tasting are available for an additional charge.

How many people can join the tasting?

The activity accepts a maximum of eight people.