We brought our products with us to Edinburgh so we could try them alongside Scottish dishes, but we didn’t expect what one waiter did with our Marasca Aceto. But let’s start from the beginning. Some trips leave a lasting impression because of famous landmarks, while others stay with you because of the atmosphere. We’ll remember our three days in Edinburgh for both, but what captivated us most was the rhythm of the city and that special energy you can feel almost everywhere you go. We explored the city mostly on foot. And we’re glad we did, because walking is the best way to notice all those little details: unusual façades, hidden passageways, old pubs, and charming shops selling traditional Scottish products. In Edinburgh, you somehow constantly feel the urge to stray from your planned route and see what’s hiding around the next corner.
Of course, we also visited some of the city’s best-known landmarks. Edinburgh Castle dominates the skyline and offers a beautiful view, while a walk along the Royal Mile is simply a must. We added a little extra flavour to the experience with a Scotch whisky tasting at The Scotch Whisky Experience. It was a great opportunity to learn more about the long tradition Scotland is famous for – and, of course, to taste a few whiskies along the way. During our walks, we also spontaneously visited several museums, including the National Museum of Scotland and the National Galleries of Scotland. We were especially happy to discover that admission was free. What we really loved was that we hardly had to plan or book anything in advance. At this time of year there weren’t large crowds, so we could take our time, wander around without rushing, and decide where to go next as we went.
The best view of the city was waiting for us at Calton Hill. Since we’re not exactly serious hikers, this route was perfect for us: the climb isn’t too demanding, and the view from the top is worth every step. We were therefore quite happy to leave Arthur’s Seat for another visit. After all, it’s always good to leave at least one reason to come back.
One of our favourite excursions was a visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia. It’s fascinating to see what life was like for the British royal family aboard this legendary ship, from the private quarters to the areas used for official journeys and receptions. The whole tour left a great impression on us, and afterwards we treated ourselves to a drink on the upper deck and simply enjoyed the moment.
Whenever we travel, food is always an important part of the experience. Perhaps even the most important part. We wanted to try as many traditional Scottish dishes as possible, so our table included haggis, steak pie, fresh Scottish salmon, Scotch eggs, and different versions of mash – rich mashed potatoes served in all kinds of combinations. The best one we tried was at Makars Gourmet Mash Bar. If you thought mashed potatoes could never become a serious culinary experience, this place might change your mind. We especially remember our lunch at The Fishmarket in Newhaven Harbour. We enjoyed fresh seafood on a beautiful terrace overlooking the harbour. It’s one of those places where lunch lasts a little longer than planned, but you don’t regret it for a second.
We have a little travel tradition: whenever we go somewhere, we bring a few of our own products with us and try them with local dishes. So for Edinburgh, we packed Pašmanero hot sauce, Pašman Libre fig aceto, and Marasca Aceto. We were curious to see how familiar Mediterranean flavours would work with traditional Scottish cuisine. The result delighted us. Pašmanero turned out to be a fantastic addition to almost every dish. Just a few drops were enough to give Scottish specialties a completely new dimension of flavour, and it paired especially well with steak pie and haggis.
The nicest surprise happened at the charming Whirlybird restaurant and bar. While we were talking with the waiter about the products we had brought from Pašman, he became especially interested in our Marasca Aceto. He decided to try using it in cocktails. Just a few minutes later, two completely new cocktails were sitting in front of us, both created on the spot. The flavour was outstanding. For us, it was also the best proof of just how versatile a product can be when it ends up in the hands of someone who isn’t afraid to experiment. A little piece of Pašman had unexpectedly found its way into the glasses of an Edinburgh bar.
Edinburgh won us over with its character, unusual architecture, great music, and slightly mysterious atmosphere. It’s a city where history and modern life blend together naturally. You can spend hours walking around without any particular plan, discovering hidden passageways, small shops, good pubs, and beautiful viewpoints. The people are wonderful too. They’re very friendly, open, and happy to start conversations with strangers. In one pub, we also watched a World Cup match between Croatia and England. Almost everyone was cheering for Croatia – except for two tables of English fans. As you can imagine, the atmosphere was excellent.
Besides food and whisky, we also love discovering local producers when we travel. While walking through the old town, we came across The Edinburgh Natural Skincare Company, a small shop on Victoria Street filled with natural soaps, creams, serums, and balms handmade in Scotland. Since we also make natural skincare products ourselves, this was a real discovery for us. We bought a few products to try because we always prefer bringing home something that represents local production rather than a classic souvenir. The scents immediately won us over, and the products are beautifully packaged, so they also make great gifts.
If you’re planning a visit to Edinburgh, go as soon as you get the chance. Bring comfortable shoes because you’ll be doing a lot of walking, be prepared for changeable weather, and don’t be afraid to try the local specialties. Most importantly, don’t dismiss haggis before trying it. It might not sound particularly tempting when you first hear what it contains, but paired with one of the many Scottish versions of mashed potatoes, it might pleasantly surprise you. And if you have a little extra room in your suitcase, bring one of your favourite flavours from home. We discovered that a little bit of Dalmatia and a little bit of Scotland can work surprisingly well together. If you’d like to create your own culinary experiment, take a look at our delicacies from Pašman and choose a flavour to take with you on your next trip.
Search
Možda će vam se svidjeti
Attention, effort and the story of an island. Discover the tastes and smells of Pašman
