Scottish Cheese OR Scottish Charcuterie Tasting at Errichel

Errichel’s tasting is a small, food-focused stop where five Scottish cheeses or five charcuterie items take center stage. You sit down at the farm’s Thyme Delicatessen, learn what you are tasting, and work through the platter with chutneys and other pairings.

I like the clear choice between cheese and charcuterie, and I like that the session teaches you how to taste rather than simply handing over a plate. The map and flavour wheel are useful souvenirs, especially if you want to recreate the tasting at home.

The main catch is that you must book the right session: cheese at 2:15pm or charcuterie at 2:45pm. Changes cannot be made on the day, and the standard price does not include wine, beer, or other drinks.

Key points

• Five Scottish specialties: Choose five artisan cheeses or five artisan charcuterie items, served with chutney and other accompaniments.
• A short, guided session: Allow about 50 minutes for the introduction, tasting, and pairing advice.
• Becky or Rebecca leads the tasting: The host explains each item in a friendly, practical way and can suggest other products to try.
• Two different bookings: Cheese begins at 2:15pm, while charcuterie begins at 2:45pm. You cannot switch between them on arrival.
• Useful take-home material: You receive a cheese or charcuterie map of Scotland, tasting notes, and a flavour wheel.
• A good add-on to a food stop: Errichel’s deli and farm shop sell cheeses, meats, chutneys, cakes, ready meals, and other Scottish food gifts.

Five Scottish tastes at a time

This is not a long farm tour or a full meal. It is a compact tasting built around five carefully selected products. That makes the format easy to fit into a day around Aberfeldy, but it also means you should arrive knowing what you booked.

At the cheese session, you receive five Scottish cheeses, including more than one local cheese. The platter is served with chutney and other accompaniments, and the host introduces each cheese before you taste it. You are not left to guess why one cheese is paired with a particular chutney or side. The point is to notice how the flavors change together.

The charcuterie session follows the same basic pattern, with five artisan meat products instead of cheese. You learn what makes each item special, then taste it with the suggested accompaniments. Some items may be made at Errichel, while others represent Scottish producers from different parts of the country.

The portions are intended for tasting, not for replacing dinner. Still, the combination of five samples, chutney, and accompaniments should leave you feeling well fed. If you are especially hungry, treat this as a substantial snack or light lunch rather than a full restaurant meal.

Choosing cheese at 2:15pm

The cheese option is the better pick if you enjoy comparing texture, age, strength, and smoke. You may find a soft cheese beside a firmer one, or a mild sample followed by something more forceful. The value comes from tasting them in a set order and hearing why the accompaniments work.

The tasting notes help you keep track of the five cheeses. The map of Scotland gives the food a sense of place, showing that Scottish cheese is not one single style. It also gives you something practical to use after the visit when you try to find a favorite again.

Specific cheeses praised during the session include Strathearn and Kintyre Smoked. Those names are useful if you plan to shop after the tasting, though the exact selection can change. Errichel can also point you toward other cheeses you may enjoy, based on the flavors you prefer.

I especially like the link between the tasting and the deli. You can buy some of the cheeses you have just tried instead of searching for them later. That turns the tasting from a one-off treat into a lesson you can repeat with friends at home.

Choosing charcuterie at 2:45pm

The charcuterie option suits you if cured meats, seasoning, texture, and pairing interest you more than dairy. Five items give you enough range to compare styles without turning the session into a long technical lecture.

The host explains each meat and the suggested accompaniments. You learn how different flavors sit together, which is useful if you want to build your own Scottish food board. One product singled out for buying afterward is Blackie ham.

A beer upgrade is available for the charcuterie tasting at an extra cost. The standard booking does not include alcoholic drinks, so check the option carefully before paying. If you want beer with your meat, it is better to arrange the upgraded version in advance.

If you prefer wine, choose the cheese tasting with the optional wine upgrade. The regular cheese session includes the food and guidance, but not alcohol.

What happens during the 50 minutes

The meeting point is Thyme Delicatessen at Errichel, Aberfeldy, PH15 2EL. The tasting begins there and finishes at the same place, so you do not need to arrange transport between different parts of the farm.

The session starts with an introduction to the five items. Becky or Rebecca explains what you are about to taste and gives context for the producers, flavors, and pairings. The teaching style is friendly and direct, with plenty of room to ask questions.

Next comes the tasting platter. You work through each item, using the supplied tasting guidance and flavour wheel to notice what you like. The chutneys are made by Chef Paul Newman, and they are not just decoration. They help show how sweet, sharp, or spiced accompaniments can change a cheese or cured meat.

You also receive a map of Scotland marked for the tasting category. Keep it if you like food souvenirs that are more useful than another postcard. It can help you remember where your favorites came from and gives you a starting point for future shopping.

The session is limited to eight people. That small maximum matters. You are more likely to hear the explanations, ask about a particular cheese or meat, and get individual suggestions without competing with a large group.

The Errichel setting and farm shop

The setting is one of the strongest parts of the visit. Errichel has broad views over the surrounding valley, and the scenery adds a calm rural backdrop to the food. The views can be especially enjoyable when you are sitting with a tasting plate and a cup of tea.

The attached deli and farm shop give you a reason to linger after the 50-minute session. You might find cheeses, charcuterie, jams, chutneys, cakes, and Scottish food gifts. There are also frozen ready meals prepared by the owner and chef, including venison tagine and lamb kleftiko.

I would leave time to browse rather than rushing straight to your next stop. The farm shop is where the tasting becomes most practical. You can pick up ingredients for a cheese board, buy a meat you liked, or take home chutney for your own kitchen.

The farm also offers other activities, including a farm tour, but that is separate from this tasting. A family could combine the two on the same day, as long as both are booked separately and the timing works.

How much value do you get for $39.78?

At $39.78 per person, this is not a cheap snack. You are paying for five artisan products, guided instruction, accompaniments, a tasting map, and the time and attention of a small-group host. The price makes more sense if you want an educational food stop rather than a simple plate of cheese or meat.

The value improves if you plan to shop afterward. You can taste before buying, ask for recommendations, and choose products with more confidence. Buying a full item blindly in a farm shop can be expensive, so the tasting reduces that risk.

The standard price does not include alcoholic drinks or extra food and beverages. If you want wine or beer, expect to pay a supplement for the upgraded version. Someone looking for a full meal with drinks may find the final cost higher than expected.

For a birthday, Christmas present, or food-centered afternoon, I think the price is easier to justify. The map and tasting notes also give the experience some staying power. You are not simply paying for what disappears from the plate.

What I like most about the hosting

The strongest part of the session is the personal explanation. Becky and Rebecca are associated with the tastings, and their role is more than serving food. They explain the products, discuss pairings, and offer ideas for other items in the deli.

The tone is welcoming rather than formal. You do not need to know anything about cheese or charcuterie before arriving. The flavour wheel gives beginners a simple way to describe what they are tasting, while food lovers can ask more detailed questions.

The service also appears flexible for groups. If some people want cheese and others want charcuterie, Errichel can arrange a mixed group directly, rather than forcing everyone into the same choice. Contact the provider before booking if that matters to your party.

Dietary needs should also be raised in advance. The team has accommodated dietary requirements for groups, but the supplied details do not promise a specific substitute for every restriction. Ask before you arrive rather than relying on a last-minute change.

Who should book this tasting?

I would recommend the cheese tasting to anyone who enjoys local food, farm shops, or learning why pairings work. It is also a good choice if you want to take Scottish produce home and need help deciding what to buy.

The charcuterie tasting is the natural choice for cured-meat fans and for anyone planning a picnic or food board. The optional beer pairing may appeal to you, but remember to book that upgrade if you want it.

This works well for couples, small groups, and families with older children who enjoy food. The farm itself can suit families, but the tasting is still a sit-down food session of about 50 minutes. A separate farm tour may be a better choice for very young children who need more movement.

The experience is also a thoughtful gift. A gift booking gives the recipient an activity, a meal-sized tasting, and the chance to buy favorites afterward. Just make sure the recipient understands the fixed cheese and charcuterie times.

Practical details before you go

Book either the 2:15pm cheese tasting or the 2:45pm charcuterie tasting. The provider cannot accommodate a change from one to the other on the day, so check your selection carefully before confirming.

Your booking confirmation arrives at the time of booking. The activity is offered in English, and service animals are allowed. The maximum group size is eight people.

The meeting and finishing point is Thyme Delicatessen at Errichel in Aberfeldy. Since the activity ends where it starts, the tasting is simple to fit into a driving day, though the supplied information does not include a transfer service.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Is the Errichel tasting right for you?

Book it if you want a focused introduction to Scottish cheese or charcuterie, especially if you value good explanations and the chance to shop afterward. The small group, personal guidance, homemade chutneys, and useful tasting map make this more worthwhile than an unstaffed sample plate.

Choose the cheese option for dairy and pairing comparisons, or the charcuterie option for cured meats and the possible beer upgrade. If you need a full restaurant meal, included alcohol, or a flexible booking, this may not be the best fit.

For food lovers visiting Aberfeldy, I would make the tasting part of a wider stop at Errichel. Taste five items, enjoy the valley views, browse the deli, and take home the ingredients that let you repeat the afternoon with friends.

FAQ

How long does the Errichel tasting 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 because changes cannot be accommodated on the day.

What is included in the tasting?

You receive a platter of five Scottish cheeses or five Scottish charcuterie items, chutney and other accompaniments, a guided introduction, tasting guidelines, a flavour wheel, and a cheese or charcuterie map to take home.

Are drinks included?

Alcoholic drinks are not included in the standard price. An upgraded cheese tasting with wine or charcuterie tasting with beer is available for an additional charge.