Scottish Cheese OR Scottish Charcuterie Tasting at Errichel

Scottish food earns its place at the table. At Errichel near Aberfeldy, you choose between five Scottish cheeses at 2:15pm or five artisan charcuterie items at 2:45pm, then learn how each works with chutney and other pairings. I like the small-group setting, capped at eight people, and the chance to buy several of the featured foods afterward at the deli. The main drawback is simple but important: you cannot switch from cheese to charcuterie on the day.

The setting adds real appeal. You look out across the valley from a working farm, with the Thyme Delicatessen close by for coffee, cake, and food to take home. Becky’s friendly, clear introductions are a strong part of the experience. At $39.78 per person for about 50 minutes, this is good value for food lovers, though less so if you want a full meal or a long farm tour.

Key points to know before you book

• Two separate tastings: Cheese begins at 2:15pm, while charcuterie begins at 2:45pm. Choose carefully when booking.
• Five Scottish samples: Each tasting includes five cheeses or five charcuterie items, plus chutney and other accompaniments.
• A useful take-home guide: You receive a map of Scotland and tasting notes, including a flavour wheel.
• Small and personal: The maximum group size is eight, allowing time for questions and discussion.
• A farm-shop finish: You can buy cheeses, meats, jams, chutneys, cakes, ready meals, and other food gifts at Errichel.
• Drinks cost extra: Alcohol is not included, but upgraded cheese and charcuterie options can include wine or beer.

Arriving at Errichel near Aberfeldy

Errichel Farm sits at Aberfeldy, postcode PH15 2EL, in Perthshire. The tasting starts and ends at Thyme Delicatessen, so you do not need to arrange transport between different parts of the property.

This is a food stop with a view, not a rushed roadside sampling. The farm setting gives the experience a sense of place, while the deli provides a practical link between tasting and shopping. You are not simply handed five anonymous pieces of food. You are shown how they fit into Scottish food culture and how you might serve them at home.

The surrounding valley is one of the pleasures here. A rainy day still has its charm, with the farm buildings and wide view providing a calm backdrop. On a clear day, the setting may be even more rewarding. If you are already touring Aberfeldy, this makes a sensible short stop between other activities.

Errichel also works well as part of a longer visit. One family combined a morning farm tour with the afternoon charcuterie tasting, and a young child enjoyed seeing and feeding sheep, pigs, chickens, peafowl, ducks, and geese during the farm portion. The tasting itself is the main product described here, so book the farm tour separately if you want that wider experience.

Choosing cheese at 2:15pm

The cheese option begins at 2:15pm. You receive a platter of five Scottish cheeses, with more than one made locally, along with chutney and other selected accompaniments.

The format is more useful than a simple plate of samples. Becky introduces each cheese before you taste it, explaining what makes it distinctive and pointing out pairings that suit it. The tasting notes and flavour wheel help you pay attention to texture, strength, aroma, and finish instead of treating every cheese as just another bite.

Specific cheeses praised during the experience included Strathearn and Kintyre Smoked. These names give you a sense of the regional range, though the exact five selections can vary. That changing selection is part of the fun, but it also means you should not book expecting one fixed menu.

The accompaniments matter. Chef Paul Newman’s homemade chutneys are served with the platter, and the pairings show how a sweet, sharp, smoky, or fruity note can change the cheese. I like this teaching element because it gives you something useful to take home. You can repeat the combinations with friends rather than merely remembering that the cheese was good.

You receive a Cheese Map of Scotland and cheese tasting guidelines with a flavour wheel. This is a modest souvenir, but it adds value. It turns a pleasant half-hour tasting into a small lesson in regional food, and it can help you remember which styles you want to look for later.

The cheese tasting also suits people who want to browse after eating. Featured cheeses are available in the deli, along with other Scottish cheeses, charcuterie, jams, chutneys, and food gifts. One especially practical advantage is that you can buy a favourite while the flavour is still fresh in your mind.

Choosing charcuterie at 2:45pm

The charcuterie tasting starts at 2:45pm. You receive five Scottish charcuterie items with accompaniments and homemade chutneys, followed by an introduction to each sample.

The appeal here is variety. Scottish charcuterie can show different cures, seasoning styles, textures, and meat flavours in one sitting. The tasting guidelines and flavour wheel give you a way to compare the items, while the host explains why certain accompaniments work.

One named favourite available to buy afterward was Blackthorn ham. It is worth checking the deli for that or similar products if you find a particular style you like. The precise five items are not specified in advance, so treat the platter as a guided selection rather than a guaranteed menu.

You can also choose an upgraded version with a beer tasting for an extra charge. Beer is not included in the standard price, so check the option you select when booking. This pairing can make the charcuterie session feel more like a substantial afternoon treat, but the basic tasting is designed around food rather than alcohol.

For groups, charcuterie is a good choice if your party prefers savoury food and stronger flavours. It also works well for a birthday or gift experience. One couple used the session to learn more about matching flavours, then bought produce to continue the food experience at home.

What the 50-minute format feels like

Fifty minutes is enough time for a guided tasting, but it is not a long lunch. You should expect a focused session built around five samples, introductions, pairings, and questions.

The host explains each item rather than leaving you to guess. That matters at this price because the value comes from both the food and the interpretation. A plate alone would be easy to find elsewhere. The explanation helps you understand what you are tasting and why the accompaniments were chosen.

The timing also makes Errichel easy to add to a day in Perthshire. You can fit it around sightseeing in Aberfeldy without giving up half a day. On the other hand, if you want a slow meal with several courses, this will feel short. The tasting platter is described as a starter-style plate, so plan another meal if you expect a full lunch or dinner.

The two start times create one planning issue. Cheese is at 2:15pm and charcuterie at 2:45pm, but this is not a flexible shared menu. If some people in your party want cheese and others want charcuterie, contact Errichel directly before booking. The staff can arrange mixed groups, but you should not assume the change can be made when you arrive.

Becky’s role makes the difference

The host is a major part of the experience. Becky explains the food in a friendly, relaxed way and takes time to answer questions without making the tasting feel like a formal lecture.

That tone is especially useful if you do not know much about cheese or cured meat. You can ask about flavours, pairings, and other products without feeling tested. Families and larger groups have also received attentive service, including help with dietary needs.

The information gives the tasting its local character. You learn not only what is on the plate, but also why certain products are special and how to combine them. That is the difference between a shopping sample and a small food lesson.

The staff can also suggest other cheeses you might enjoy. This is valuable if you plan to shop afterward, since the deli carries more than the five items on your platter. You can leave with a clearer idea of what to seek out in other Scottish food shops.

The deli and farm setting after the tasting

Allow time to browse Thyme Delicatessen after your tasting. The shop carries fresh cheeses, charcuterie, jams, chutneys, cakes, and food gifts. It also has frozen prepared meals made by chef Paul Newman, including venison tagine and lamb kleftiko.

The deli is not just a place to buy souvenirs. It lets you recreate the afternoon at home. Pick up a cheese or cured meat you enjoyed, add one of the chutneys, and use the tasting map to remember the style.

Coffee and cake are also available, which helps if one person in your party wants to watch the tasting rather than take part. One accompanying visitor sat with tea and cake while their husband did the charcuterie session. That makes the stop workable for mixed interests, though the standard experience includes no sundry food or drink.

The farm setting is another reason to avoid rushing away. The valley view is frequently praised, and the property feels more like a food-producing place than a generic tasting room. If you have time, combine the tasting with the farm tour, but remember that the farm activities are not part of the 50-minute tasting described here.

Price, group size, and overall value

At $39.78 per person, the price is fair for five artisan samples, accompaniments, homemade chutneys, a guided explanation, and a take-home map with tasting notes. The small maximum of eight people improves the value because you have a better chance to ask questions and hear the host clearly.

The price is less attractive if you measure it only by the amount of food. This is a starter-sized tasting, not a large meal. You are paying for the setting, the Scottish selection, the guidance, and the chance to understand what you are eating.

Alcohol is not part of the standard price. You can pay extra for wine with cheese or beer with charcuterie. I would choose an upgrade if you want a more social afternoon, but the basic session is the safer choice for drivers, families, or anyone mainly interested in food.

The ability to shop afterward adds practical value. If you enjoy the samples, you can buy them or similar products right away. That reduces the risk of leaving with only a vague memory of what you liked.

Who should book this tasting?

I would recommend it to people who enjoy artisan food, local shopping, and short guided experiences. It suits couples looking for a relaxed afternoon stop, families combining food with a farm visit, and gift recipients who want something more personal than a standard meal.

It is also a good fit for small groups with different levels of food experience. Beginners receive clear guidance, while serious food fans can ask about particular cheeses, meats, and pairings.

You may want to skip it if you dislike cheese, cured meat, or small portions. You should also be careful if your schedule is tight, since the fixed start time matters and the cheese and charcuterie sessions cannot be swapped on the day.

Book the right version from the start. Choose cheese at 2:15pm or charcuterie at 2:45pm. If your group wants both, contact Errichel in advance. Confirmation arrives when you book, and free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Is Errichel worth your time?

Yes, especially if you are already near Aberfeldy and care about Scottish food. I like the focused length, the small group, Becky’s welcoming explanations, and the easy chance to buy favourites at the deli afterward.

Choose the cheese tasting if you want regional variety, chutney pairings, and named local examples such as Strathearn and Kintyre Smoked. Choose charcuterie if you prefer savoury food and may want the optional beer pairing. Either way, expect a well-presented tasting rather than a full meal.

For food lovers, this is a useful stop with a strong sense of place. For anyone seeking a long farm day or a substantial lunch, pair it with another activity at Errichel rather than treating it as the whole outing.

FAQ

Where does the tasting take place?

The experience starts and ends at Thyme Delicatessen at Errichel, Aberfeldy, Scotland, PH15 2EL.

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, as changes cannot be accommodated on the day. Mixed groups can contact Errichel in advance to arrange cheese for some people and charcuterie for others.

Is alcohol included?

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

How many people can join the experience?

The activity accepts a maximum of eight people.