Cocktails (and pints) in the cities 

There’s still time to catch Dundee Cocktail Week – festivities are in full swing until Sunday with dozens of venues and mixed drinks to explore. If you fancy following that up with a nice spot of dinner, hop over the bridge to The Newport Restaurant for Jamie Scott’s newly streamlined, though still utterly delicious, tasting menu. 

If a pint sounds more like your thing, you’ll want to pick up a copy of the Glasgow Beer Trail. The self-guided tour features 14 of the city’s best breweries and craft beer retailers across the centre of town, West End, East End and Southside.  

Edinburgh’s also getting in on the cocktail action with Edinburgh Cocktail Week. There are a bajillion (actual number) of bars involved, as well as the purpose-built Cocktail Village at Festival Square. It also runs until Sunday evening.  

Food and drink events

If you’ve ever been tripped up by the fact Oktoberfest starts in September, then you’re going to want to give a double-thumbs up to the gang behind Moktoberfest 2023. Held in Elgin this very weekend, it promises music, food and plenty of stein-based action. 

The brilliant Free Company on the outskirts of Edinburgh have opened the booking diary for their 2023 Winter Series. The sell-out candlelit communal suppers, cooked from their own produce, are kind of magical. Take the 44 to Balerno and they’ll even pick you up at the bus stop.  

With over 80 stalls and exhibitors, the Glasgow Vegan Festival offers a bewildering array of plant-based food and drink, as well as lots of talks, demos, workshops and info about sustainable lifestyles. It’s all happening at Hutchesons’ at Pollok Park on Saturday, from 10.30 onwards.  

Whisky galore 

There are plenty of reasons to ‘cheers’ in the world of whisky. In a first for the city since 1852, Stirling Distillery has kicked off the whisky production process. Edinburgh’s Holyrood Distillery has released Arrival, their first single malt, while The Isle Of Harris Distillery has launched The Hearach, billed as the island’s first ever legal dram.  

Happy tenth birthday to Summerhall Distillery, who celebrated by creating The Smuggler’s Den. This all-new visitor experience features tastes of their Broody Hen whisky blend, ten year-old malt plus a whisky cocktail. It’s a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes of Edinburgh’s most tucked-away distillery. 

Finally, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society hit the big 4-0 this year. There’s still plenty of time to catch one of their fun, accessible events, while membership also makes a great Christmas present (we said what we said) if you’re that way inclined.  

Still hungry? 

Whether you’re out guising, plotting for Bonfire Night, celebrating Samhuinn or planning a Day Of The Dead celebration, one of the best things about being outside at this time of year is looking forward to warming up afterwards. We’ve got you covered with our spicy Mexican-themed tipLISTS for Edinburgh and Glasgow – top spots for tacos, burritos and, of course, that all-important Marg.

 If you’re planning a wholesome walk among the turning leaves, we’ve also got places to warm up around Glasgow’s Botanic Gardens. Elsewhere, we review Glasgow’s Usta and catch up with a special whisky and food pairing event at Johnnie Walker Princes Street. Finally, as Craig Grozier partners with the World Of Film International Festival to create Reel Tasty, a multi-sensory film/food menu pairing in November, we’ve also got the lowdown on his new venture, Fallachan Kitchen.