Scottish Cheese OR Scottish Charcuterie Tasting at Errichel

Cheese and charcuterie pairings, done properly.

This tasting at Errichel Farm Tours is a focused, 50-minute guided experience in English, held at Thyme Delicatessen, Errichel in Aberfeldy. I especially like that you get a 5-item platter with local accompaniments and chutneys, plus the host walks you through what makes each cheese or meat special, not just how it tastes.

My second favorite thing is the “take it home” factor: you receive a map of Scotland plus tasting guidelines and a flavor wheel, so you can recreate the experience with friends later. One thing to plan for: you have to book the exact slot you want, 2:15pm for cheese or 2:45pm for charcuterie, and they cannot swap you on the day.

Key Points I’d Put on Your Shortlist

• Two exact time slots: book cheese at 2:15pm or charcuterie at 2:45pm, no day-of changes
• Small groups: max 8 travelers, so you actually get answers and pairing talk
• 5 tastings, plus chutneys: each platter includes accompaniments and Chef Paul Newman’s home-made chutneys
• Pairing tools you keep: take a map, tasting guidelines, and a flavor wheel
• Optional alcohol add-ons: wine with cheese, beer with charcuterie, available for a supplement
• Buy what you liked nearby: the deli on site makes it easy to shop and continue the tasting at home

Scottish Cheese Tasting OR Charcuterie: Picking the Right Slot Matters

This is one of those experiences where the setup is simple, but the timing is strict. The provider runs two separate tastings, and you should treat them like two different events.

• 2:15pm is for Scottish Cheese Tasting
• 2:45pm is for Scottish Charcuterie Tasting

If you show up wanting the other one, they won’t be able to switch you. So before you book, ask yourself a clean question: do you want to focus on cheese or on charcuterie? If you’re torn, you might even consider booking the other session on a different day, if your schedule allows, because the format and take-home materials make both sides worth doing.

Where You Start: Thyme Delicatessen, Errichel in Aberfeldy

You meet right at Thyme Delicatessen Errichel, Aberfeldy (PH15 2EL). That matters more than it sounds. Because you start and finish at the same place, there’s no awkward transit time, and the whole tasting stays calm and unrushed.

This setup also means you’re right in the middle of a food-focused stop, not a remote studio. If you like the idea of learning flavors and then shopping while they are fresh in your mind, the location makes that easy. And even on cloudy days, people tend to enjoy the valley views in the broader Errichel area, which adds a bit of “vacation mood” to a lesson that’s otherwise all about food.

What Happens in 50 Minutes: The Guided 5-Tasting Flow

Expect this tasting to move with intent. It’s short on purpose, so you don’t get stuck listening to long speeches while your cheese plate cools down.

The core format is the same for both experiences:

1. You get a guided introduction to what you’re tasting and why it matters
2. Then you work through five cheeses or five charcuterie items
3. Each item comes with accompaniments and chutney designed to make the flavors click
4. At the end, you leave with the paper tools you need to remember and recreate

The Scottish Cheese Platter

On the cheese version, your starter is a platter of 5 Scottish cheeses. The descriptions you’ll hear focus on what’s distinct about each one and how the pairing was chosen. It’s not just random variety. The tasting is designed to teach you how to notice differences, like texture and richness, and how those differences affect what tastes great next to them.

The Scottish Charcuterie Platter

On the charcuterie version, the starter is a platter of 5 Scottish charcuterie items. Like the cheese experience, you get explanations for each tasting, plus accompaniments and Chef Paul Newman’s home-made chutneys.

And here’s the practical beauty of both tastings: you’re not just eating. You’re building a little mental library of flavors and pairings.

The Secret Sauce: Chutneys and Pairing Logic You Can Actually Use

A lot of tastings stop at the plate. This one gives you a framework, which is why it’s easy to repeat at home.

The included pairing help comes in two forms:

• Cheese Tasting Guidelines (or Charcuterie Tasting Guidelines)
• A flavor wheel, plus the host explains how to think about matchups

That flavor wheel piece is genuinely useful because it trains you to name what’s happening. Is something salty pushing up against something creamy? Is a smoky bite asking for sweetness? Does acidity cut richness? The explanations you get make you more confident when you’re shopping later, not just when you’re sitting there.

Chef Paul Newman’s Chutneys

One standout detail that keeps popping up in the tastings is the chutney. You’re served Chef Paul Newman’s home-made chutneys with the platter. Chutney is the unsung hero of food pairings, and it works because it brings sweetness, spice, and acidity in a controlled way. It helps the host teach how to balance fat and salt without turning everything into one indistinct flavor.

Optional Wine and Beer Pairings, Without Making Alcohol the Point

Alcohol is not included by default. If you want the tastings paired with a drink, there are upgrade options:

• Wine tasting with the cheese
• Beer tasting with the charcuterie

This is a smart approach for value and comfort. You can keep it simple with water and tea, then add alcohol only if you want it. And because the tasting is already structured around pairing logic, any drink upgrade acts like a bonus layer, not a replacement for the core experience.

Who This Suits Best (And When to Skip It)

This is a great fit if you like:

• Food learning that’s short, practical, and focused
• Small-group interaction, not a loud cattle-call vibe
• Scottish specialties you might not know how to buy or pair yet

It’s also ideal if you’re the kind of traveler who wants a souvenir that isn’t a mug. The map of Scotland and the flavor wheel give you something you can use later, even if you’re not the type to start a cheese board hobby immediately.

Possible drawback for some people

If you expect a full-on tasting tour with lots of walking, this is not that. It’s a sit-and-taste experience in a deli setting. You’re in and out in about 50 minutes, and the value is the guided explanations and the pairing tools, not the sightseeing.

Shopping Right After: Turn the Lesson Into a Home Setup

One of the best “end credits” moves here is that the tasting happens next to a place where you can buy what you liked. People often leave wanting to recreate the platter at home, and having the deli on site makes that easy.

So if you have a friend back home who loves hosting, or you want to plan a future cheese board, this tasting helps you shop with purpose. You’re not guessing. You’re remembering what worked, and why.

Should You Book This Errichel Cheese Or Charcuterie Tasting?

Yes, if you want a small-group, high-signal food experience in Aberfeldy. I’d book it if you’re either:

• Curious about Scottish cheeses or charcuterie, but don’t know where to start
• The type who likes taking home notes you can use, not just empty plates

I’d think twice if you need something longer and more active, or if you’re the type to dislike guided structure. It’s guided, it’s short, and it’s built around tasting five items with explanations and pairing tools.

FAQ

What is included in the Scottish Cheese tasting?

You get a tasting platter of 5 Scottish cheeses, served with cheese accompaniments and Chef Paul Newman’s home-made chutneys. You also receive a take-away Cheese Map of Scotland, tasting guidelines, and a flavor wheel, plus a guided introduction to each of the five tastings.

What is included in the Scottish Charcuterie tasting?

You get a tasting platter of 5 Scottish charcuterie items, served with charcuterie accompaniments and Chef Paul Newman’s home-made chutneys. You also receive a take-away Charcuterie Map of Scotland, tasting guidelines, and a flavor wheel, plus a guided introduction to each of the five tastings.

Do I get alcoholic drinks with the standard tasting?

No. Alcoholic beverages are not included. If you want an upgrade, you can book versions that include beer with the charcuterie or wine with the cheese for a supplement.

How long is the tasting?

The experience runs about 50 minutes.

Where is the meeting point?

You meet at Thyme Delicatessen Errichel, Aberfeldy PH15 2EL, UK, and the activity ends back at the same meeting point.

What time should I book for cheese versus charcuterie?

Book 2:15pm for the Scottish Cheese Tasting, or 2:45pm for the Scottish Charcuterie Tasting.

Is it a large group?

No. Each tasting has a maximum group size of 8 travelers.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

Can I buy the cheese or charcuterie after the tasting?

The experience takes place at a deli setting, and you can purchase items afterward. You’ll find it easiest to pick up products that match what you enjoyed during your tasting.

Can I cancel and get a full refund?

Yes. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, you do not get a refund.