Scottish Cheese OR Scottish Charcuterie Tasting at Errichel

At Errichel Farm, the main event is not simply eating five samples. You learn why each Scottish cheese or charcuterie item works with its chosen chutney or accompaniment, then take home a map and tasting guide to help you remember the details. I like the small maximum of eight people, which should keep the presentation personal, and I like that you can buy many of the featured foods in the deli afterward.

The setting adds real appeal, with views across the valley and a farm shop attached to the tasting venue. The main catch is simple but important: you must choose cheese at 2:15pm or charcuterie at 2:45pm when booking. Errichel cannot switch you between the two on the day.

Key points at a glance

• Five Scottish tastings in one sitting: Choose five artisan cheeses or five Scottish charcuterie items, served with accompaniments and Chef Paul Newman’s homemade chutneys.
• A guided food lesson: Becky introduces each item and explains flavours, pairings, and what makes the produce distinctive.
• Useful take-home material: You receive a Scotland cheese map or charcuterie map, plus tasting notes and a flavour wheel.
• A peaceful farm setting: The tasting begins and ends at Thyme Delicatessen at Errichel, with fine views over the valley.
• A deli that extends the experience: You can buy cheeses, charcuterie, chutneys, jams, prepared meals, and other food gifts after tasting.
• Two clear time slots: Cheese is offered at 2:15pm and charcuterie at 2:45pm. The choice matters because changes are not accepted on the day.

Choosing between cheese at 2:15pm and charcuterie at 2:45pm

Your first decision is the most important one. The cheese session serves five Scottish artisan cheeses. The charcuterie session serves five Scottish charcuterie items. Both last about 50 minutes and include guidance, accompaniments, and a take-home map.

The cheese tasting suits you if you enjoy comparing soft, firm, smoked, mild, and stronger flavours. The supplied tasting notes mention pairings selected for each cheese, and examples from the range include Strathearn and Kintyre Smoked. You should expect two pieces of each of five cheeses, with at least more than one local cheese represented.

The charcuterie tasting takes a similar format, but the focus shifts to cured meat, seasoning, texture, and matching accompaniments. One particularly practical detail is the chance to buy items afterward, including the Blacky Ham mentioned as a favourite purchase. That makes this session useful for anyone who wants ideas for a good Scottish sharing board at home.

Do not assume you can arrive and decide on the day. You book one experience or the other, and the two sessions run at different times. If your group is split, with some people wanting cheese and others wanting charcuterie, contact Errichel directly before booking. The provider says it can arrange a mixed group in advance.

What happens during the 50-minute tasting

The experience starts at Thyme Delicatessen, Errichel, Aberfeldy PH15 2EL. You meet there and return to the same point at the end, so the format is compact and easy to fit into an afternoon around Aberfeldy.

The platter is the center of the session. You receive five selected cheeses or five charcuterie items, along with suitable accompaniments and Paul Newman’s homemade chutneys. This is more useful than a bare tasting because you can compare the main food with something sweet, sharp, or savoury that changes its flavour.

Becky leads the introduction, explaining each item before you taste it. Her style, based on the experience details, is friendly and clear rather than formal. She also offers advice on pairings and can suggest other cheeses you may want to try.

The tasting is designed to be unhurried. That matters with food. Five samples can feel rushed if each one is presented as a quick bite, but the 50-minute schedule gives you time to look, taste, compare, and ask questions. You are not just handed a plate and left to work it out.

The session ends back at the deli. This is where the tasting becomes especially practical. You can buy some of the cheese, charcuterie, chutneys, jams, and other produce used or discussed during the session. The attached shop also carries prepared meals made by the chef, including examples such as venison tagine and lamb kleftiko.

Why the pairing lesson matters

The best part of this type of tasting is often the pairing advice. A cheese can taste quite different with chutney, while cured meat may change character with a contrasting accompaniment. Errichel makes those combinations part of the lesson rather than treating them as decoration on the plate.

You receive a cheese tasting guidelines sheet and flavour wheel with the cheese option, or the matching charcuterie guide with the meat option. These give you a way to think about what you are tasting. You can note flavour, texture, strength, smokiness, sweetness, and other qualities instead of relying on a vague like it or do not like it response.

The maps add another useful layer. A map of Scotland showing cheese or charcuterie producers helps connect the food to place. It also gives you a souvenir with more purpose than a standard leaflet. If you find a favourite item, the map and notes may help you remember what to seek out later.

This is a good fit for curious eaters who want to improve their own food choices. You do not need to know anything about cheese or charcuterie beforehand. The presentation is intended to be approachable, and the small group limit should make it easier to ask about unfamiliar flavours.

The food itself, from Scottish cheeses to cured meats

The cheese option gives you a broad sample rather than one large serving. Five cheeses let you compare styles and discover what suits your taste. The exact selection can vary, so you should not book expecting a fixed menu. You can expect more than one local cheese, plus accompaniments selected to work with the particular platter.

The charcuterie session follows the same five-item idea. You may notice differences in texture, salt, spice, curing, and smoke. The point is not simply to identify the meat. It is to understand how the preparation affects the final bite.

The food is substantial enough to leave you feeling full, but this is still a tasting rather than a full restaurant meal. That distinction matters if you are planning the rest of your day. The platter and accompaniments make a satisfying afternoon stop, yet you should not treat it as a replacement for dinner.

Dietary needs are worth raising in advance. The experience details do not provide a standard list of substitutions or a fixed allergen policy. Errichel has accommodated dietary requirements for groups, but you should contact the provider before booking if you need changes.

Alcohol is not included in the standard price. You can book an upgraded version with a wine tasting alongside the cheese or a beer tasting alongside the charcuterie for an added supplement. If drinks are important to you, check the upgraded option rather than assuming a glass is part of the basic booking.

Errichel Farm, the deli, and the valley views

The setting is part of the appeal. Errichel sits near Aberfeldy, and the tasting takes place at Thyme Delicatessen on the farm property. You get views over the valley, which can make the 50-minute session feel like a proper countryside outing rather than a quick shop counter sample.

The deli is not just a place to collect your ticket. It gives you a chance to continue exploring Scottish food after the tasting. You may find cheeses, charcuterie, jams, chutneys, foodie gifts, and frozen prepared meals made by the chef.

That shopping stop is especially valuable if you want to recreate the experience at home. You can ask about products you have just tasted and build your own board while the pairing advice is still fresh. It also helps justify the ticket price for food-focused visitors who plan to make purchases afterward.

The farm can also suit a broader family day out. Errichel offers farm activities separately, and a family visit may include sheep, pigs, chickens, peafowl, ducks, and geese. Those activities are not included in this tasting, but the combination can make a longer visit worthwhile if you arrange each part separately.

For families, keep in mind that the tasting itself is centered on artisan food and quiet explanation. Young children may enjoy the farm, but the cheese or charcuterie session is best suited to people who can sit, taste, and listen for nearly an hour.

How much value you get for $39.78

At $39.78 per person, this is not the cheapest way to eat five bites of cheese or meat. The value comes from everything around the platter: five selected items, accompaniments, homemade chutneys, a guided introduction, tasting notes, a flavour wheel, and a map to take away.

I would compare it with the cost of a good food tasting rather than with the price of a deli lunch. You are paying for the selection and the explanation, not only for the ingredients. If you already know Scottish cheese well and only want a snack, the price may feel high.

For someone who enjoys regional food and wants context, the price is easier to justify. The guide helps you understand what you are eating, and the deli lets you buy favourites afterward. The experience also works well as a birthday gift or Christmas present, especially for someone who enjoys cooking, hosting, or trying local products.

The standard price excludes alcohol. The wine or beer upgrades cost extra, so build that into your budget if you want a drink pairing. Tea and cake are also not part of the tasting, although the deli and café setting may offer other purchases separately.

The guide and the small-group feel

Becky is the main host named in the experience information, and the presentation depends heavily on her ability to explain the food. She introduces all five items, talks through the flavours, and explains why the selected pairings work.

Another host is referred to as Rebecca in the farm visit details, so you may encounter staff members using either name in the wider Errichel operation. The important point for you is that the tasting is led by staff who can discuss Scottish produce in specific terms and answer questions about what you may want to buy.

The maximum group size is eight people. That is a strong advantage for a tasting. A small group gives you more room to hear the introduction, ask about a particular cheese or meat, and take your time with the platter.

It also means availability may be limited. If you have a particular date in mind, book ahead rather than assuming you can walk in. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the activity is offered in English.

Practical planning for your Aberfeldy afternoon

Allow about 50 minutes for the tasting itself, plus extra time for browsing the deli. Since the cheese and charcuterie sessions run at 2:15pm and 2:45pm, respectively, check the time carefully before you finalize your plans.

The activity begins and ends at Errichel. No separate transport, transfer, or sightseeing route is included, so you need to make your own way to Thyme Delicatessen. The stated location is Errichel, Aberfeldy PH15 2EL, UK.

Service animals are allowed. The supplied details do not describe general mobility access, seating arrangements, or specific allergy procedures, so contact Errichel directly if you need those details.

The cancellation terms are fairly flexible if your plans change early. You can receive a full refund by cancelling at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

Who should book this tasting?

I would recommend the cheese session to anyone who enjoys comparing flavours, building a cheese board, or finding Scottish products to take home. It is also a good gift for a food lover who prefers a short, guided activity to a long formal meal.

The charcuterie session suits people who like cured meats and want to learn how different items work with chutney and other accompaniments. It may also appeal to home cooks looking for ideas for entertaining.

This is less suitable if you want a full dinner, a large alcohol pairing, or a broad farm tour included in the ticket. It is a focused food experience, not an all-day attraction. You also need to commit to cheese or charcuterie in advance.

The setting helps make it worthwhile. You get an informative tasting, a pleasant rural stop, and a well-stocked deli where you can extend the afternoon. I especially like that the experience gives you tools to repeat the food pairing at home rather than ending when the last sample is eaten.

Should you book the Errichel tasting?

Book it if you want a small, friendly introduction to Scottish artisan food near Aberfeldy. The strongest reasons are the five-item comparison, the pairing advice from Becky, the thoughtful tasting guides, and the chance to buy the food afterward.

Choose cheese at 2:15pm for a broader cheese sampler, or charcuterie at 2:45pm for cured meats and a different set of flavour comparisons. If your group wants both, arrange it with Errichel before the day.

Skip it if you are looking only for a cheap snack or a full meal. For food lovers, though, the combination of local produce, useful instruction, valley views, and deli shopping makes the $39.78 price reasonable.

FAQ

Where does the Scottish tasting take place?

The tasting starts and ends at Thyme Delicatessen at Errichel, Aberfeldy PH15 2EL, UK.

How long does the tasting last?

The experience lasts approximately 50 minutes.

Can I choose cheese or charcuterie on the day?

No. You must book either the cheese tasting at 2:15pm or the charcuterie tasting at 2:45pm. Changes cannot be accommodated on the day.

How many items are included?

The cheese option includes five Scottish artisan cheeses. The charcuterie option includes five Scottish charcuterie items.

Are accompaniments included?

Yes. The platter includes cheese or charcuterie accompaniments and Chef Paul Newman’s homemade chutneys.

Is alcohol included?

No. Alcohol is not included in the standard experience. An upgraded cheese option with wine or charcuterie option with beer is available for an additional charge.

What do I take home?

You receive a cheese map of Scotland or charcuterie map of Scotland, along with tasting guidelines and a flavour wheel for the option you choose.

How large is the group?

The activity has a maximum of eight people. Service animals are allowed, and the experience is offered in English.