The days are getting shorter, the mornings getting colder… Autumn is here!
We have a hearty, comforting menu for you all this Monday. Come in and warm up in the morning with our hot filled rolls and tea and coffee.
We have freshly made lentil soup on for lunch, with fruit crumble for dessert.
As always, this is for everyone in the community. You can sit in or take away your meal.
Five food and drink businesses from Edinburgh have been crowned winners at the Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards 2026, securing six of the industry’s most prestigious accolades, including the coveted Product of the Year category.
The winners proudly representing the capital are:
Product of the Year is awarded to the category winner who scored the highest marks among the esteemed panel of judges made up of experts from retail, foodservice and hospitality.
This year’s winner, Edgefield Craft Butchers’ Prime Rib, was praised by judges for its depth of flavour, juicy, melt in the mouth texture, and exceptional quality.
Edgefield Craft Butchers was founded in 2024 by fourth-generation butcher, Simon Gilmour, and supplies Scotland’s leading chefs and restaurants with premium meat.
The awards recognise excellence across Scotland’s food and drink sector, with the Northeast winners demonstrating innovation, business excellence, growth and product quality on a national stage.
The Edinburgh winners were announced alongside businesses from across Scotland at the award ceremony in Glasgow, highlighting the breadth and diversity of the country’s food and drink sector. Other winners included Benbecula-based Salar Smokehouse whose Flaky Smoked Salmon won in both the Artisan and Fish & Seafood Product of the Year categories.
Alongside the tasted product categories, Aberdeen-based Vanilla Labs won Business Innovation of the Year for redefining how vanilla is grown, cured and delivered. Glasgow’s Dear Green coffee roasters was named Sustainable Business of the Year, and Growth Business of the Year was won by Aberdeenshire-based Duncan Farms.
The Excellence Awards recognise the highest quality of produce, as well as leading suppliers, individuals and companies.
Individuals were celebrated too. Jaynie Kean from Jackton Distillery won the Young Talent of the Year award, with the judges describing the RAER Scotch Whisky Managing Director as an aspirational role model for young people entering the industry.
The winners were revealed by Matt Tebbutt, Saturday Kitchen presenter and MasterChef: The Professionals judge.
Simon Gilmour, Founder and CEO of Edgefield Craft Butchers, winner of the Scotch Brand category and overall Product of the Year, said: “It’s an honour to win both Scotch Brand Product of the Year and the overall Product of the Year.
“We are quite a new company, so to be in the position to win an award like this is just such a ‘pinch me’ moment. The team have worked very hard to get us here, so this award really belongs to them.
“Some of the best food and drink companies in the world are here in Scotland, and we’re very lucky to have the larder we do. For us here at Edgefield to be on that radar now is pretty special.
“Our Dry Aged Prime Rib has been born, reared and slaughtered in Scotland, so it’s Scotch through and through.”
Iain Baxter, Chief Executive at Scotland Food & Drink, said: “Seeing winners from every corner of the country reflects the strength of our sector. From the northern isles to the borders, from Aberdeen to the Hebrides, the quality and variety of what our producers make is remarkable.
“The Excellence Awards are the gold-standard that every food and drink brand in Scotland aspires to, and our winners thoroughly deserve to be celebrated for their achievements.
“Congratulations to all our winners, and to those who were shortlisted. We look forward to seeing them all continue to innovate, prioritise quality, and shine a light on our incredible food and drink sector.”
For over two decades, The Excellence Awards have brought together Scotland’s finest producers with key decision makers and influencers from across the industry. Underpinned by people, passion and perseverance, the awards offer an opportunity to celebrate the industry’s achievements of the past year while looking ahead and supporting the next wave of innovation and creativity.
See the full list of winners here:
https://foodanddrink.scot/events-and-membership/the-excellence-awards/2026-winners
The full list of winners
| Category | Company | Product / Person |
| Distilling Product of the Year (Dark Spirits) | Woven Whisky Makers | Woven WXC Coffee Infused Whisky |
| Distilling Product of the Year (White Spirits) | Orkney Gin Company | Aatta Gin |
| Beer & Cider Product of the Year | Six Degrees North | Raspberry Beer |
| Dairy Product of the Year | Giacopazzi’s Wholesale Ice Cream | Ricotta, Pistachio & Sour Cherry Gelato |
| Meat Product of the Year | Brownings the Bakers | Kilmarnock Pie |
| Grocery Product of the Year | east PIZZAS | Topped Spicy Pizza |
| Artisan Product of the Year | Salar Smokehouse | Flaky Smoked Salmon |
| Healthy or Free From Product of the Year | Bon Accord Soft Drinks | Rhubarb Soda |
| Bakery Product of the Year | S. Collins & Son | Sausage Roll |
| Fish & Seafood Product of the Year | Salar Smokehouse | Flaky Smoked Salmon |
| Scotch Brand Product of the Year | Edgefield Craft Butchers | Dry Aged Prime Rib from Native Scotch Cattle |
| Best for Scottish (Independent Business of the Year) | Howies Restaurants | |
| Food & Drink Campaign of the Year | Mackie’s of Scotland | Full Cream Ahead Campaign |
| Young Talent of the Year | Jackton Distillery | Jaynie Kean |
| Business Innovation of the Year | Vanilla Labs | |
| Sustainable Business of the Year | Dear Green | |
| Employer of the Year | Bidfood Scotland | |
| Food Tourism Business of the Year | Rae’s | |
| Growth Business of the Year | Duncan Farms | |
| Best for Scottish (Multiple Business of the Year) | Brakes Scotland, a Sysco company | |
| Product of the Year | Edgefield Craft Butchers | Dry Aged Prime Rib from Native Scotch Cattle |
Aldi stores across Edinburgh donated 24,039 meals to charities, foodbanks and community organisations across the UK throughout the recent school summer holidays.
The donations took the number of meals redistributed by Aldi in 2026 from more than 8.8 million before the school holidays to 10.9 million – an increase of 24%.
Aldi has worked with Neighbourly since 2019 to redistribute surplus food from its stores to charities and community organisations across the UK.
Luke Emery, National Sustainability Director at Aldi UK, said: “There’s no reason for good food to go to waste when it can be put to use by organisations supporting their local communities.
“Our stores redistribute surplus food throughout the year, giving local charities a regular source of food they can use to support the people who rely on them.”
Steve Butterworth, CEO of Neighbourly, added: “For many of the organisations we work with, summer doesn’t mean demand eases off. The school holidays can bring an additional pressure, as families face higher food costs and children who usually receive free school meals may not have the same access to support during the holidays.
“Regular surplus food donations give charities something practical they can use straight away, helping them keep shelves stocked and respond to what people in their communities need.”
Shoppers in Edinburgh can also donate food and everyday essentials to local charities, foodbanks and community groups through community donation points in Aldi stores nationwide.
Aldi also works with Company Shop to redistribute surplus food from its Regional Distribution Centres.
Abacus at The Scholar is celebrating being named among the top 10% of restaurants worldwide in the Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards 2026 – with 10% off dining throughout September.
In Edinburgh’s Southside, Abacus is a relaxed, sociable restaurant bringing together hotel guests, locals and visitors throughout the day. Its menu offers something for every occasion, from long lunches and coffee catch-ups to dinner and drinks with friends.
The menu includes Scottish hot-smoked salmon rillette and locally sourced dry-aged steak to heritage roast carrots with burrata and dukkha, complemented by a selection of cocktails, European wines and low- and no-alcohol serves.
Following a refreshment in 2025, Abacus combines calm, natural interiors with splashes of colour and artwork inspired by the vibrancy of the menu. Booth seating and relaxed dining spaces create a setting that works throughout the day, while a private dining space for up to 10 guests also offers a more intimate setting.
Gavin MacLennan, Group General Manager at University of Edinburgh Hospitality Collection, said: “To be recognised in the Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice top 10% of restaurants in the world is a huge achievement for the whole Abacus team.
“It’s particularly special because the recognition comes from the people who have visited us and taken the time to share their experiences. We have worked hard to create a restaurant that feels welcoming and relaxed where people enjoy delicious food and want to spend time together.
“Offering 10% off throughout September is our way of saying thank you, and hopefully giving even more people a reason to join us around the table.”
Guests can quote “Tripadvisor” when dining at Abacus until 30th September 2026 to enjoy 10% off their meal.*
Abacus at The Scholar Hotel is open seven days a week, serving breakfast and an all-day menu from 12 noon until 9.30pm.
HARVEST FESTIVAL 2026:
Sat 26th September 3-5.30pm at the community garden (10 Wardieburn Road).
With Ama-zing Harmonies, Granton Garden Bakery, and others!
We’re looking forward to celebrating, and you’re all invited! Free event.
Contact us if you’d like to help out, or to contribute a song or other performance..
All apple dessert entries should be delivered by 3.30pm. We can provide local apples on the two Wednesday afternoons before, come to the garden to collect. First prize is a £20 gift voucher for Granton Garden Bakery.
Tesco is bringing its ‘Best Night In’ roadshow to Edinburgh this month giving shoppers the chance to sample food and win prizes.
The roadshow will be visiting Edinburgh Corstorphine Extra on Tuesday the 22nd of September, giving shoppers the chance to sample the perfect snacks and drinks for an evening at home at a special Best Night In living room set up in the store car park.
Shoppers will also get the chance to take part in an interactive game to win Best Night In prizes from Tesco.
Tesco UK Marketing Director Murray Bisschop said: “As we head into autumn, more and more of our customers will be looking forward to a cosy night in and we want to help shoppers across Great Britain with everything you need to make the most of those autumn evenings indoors.”
As part of the Best Night In activity millions of Tesco Clubcard members have already received free coupons for fresh Tesco Finest pizzas that can be redeemed in Tesco stores and online through its popular Freebie Thursday’s scheme.
Tesco is also offering the chance for 50 shoppers to win a Best Night In tech bundle worth £10,000, including an up to 98” 4K TCL television, a Sonos Arc Ultra soundbar, a PlayStation 5, a Nintendo Switch 2, a Sony Bluetooth turntable, a £2,500 furniture voucher, and £1,000 to spend at Tesco.
To qualify customers just need to spend in £25 in a qualifying transaction at Tesco in-store or online until October 4th*.
We have a delicious lunch planned for this Monday! Lasagne with roasted green beans on the side, beautiful beans from Edinburgh Agroecology Coop!
And for pudding, apple crumble made with our very own apples.
As always, breakfast is on from 9am – 10:30am, lunch served at 11:30am – 12:30pm.
Sit in or take away available, open to all. See you there!
EDINBURGH punters are being challenged to chase down a getaway granny on a mobility scooter, with twelve wads of £125 up for grabs.
A top-secret, balaclava-clad pensioner will hit the streets of the capital on Wednesday, September 16, as part of IRN-BRU’s “Granny Tourismo” challenge.
The mystery gran will be hiding at three secret locations somewhere in Edinburgh aboard a souped-up mobility scooter complete with blue flame racing stripes.
And the first four people to track her down in each location before she makes her escape will each pocket £125.
Cryptic clues revealing her whereabouts will be dropped on IRN-BRU’s social media channels on the day, meaning Edinburgh fans will have to move fast if they want to get their hands on the cash.
The stunt is part of the fizzy drink giant’s 125th anniversary celebrations and is inspired by its infamous granny adverts.
Coronation Street and Carry On legend Amanda Barrie is leading the charge after admitting she knows a thing or two about “causing chaos”.
The 91-year-old national treasure is fronting the UK-wide “Catch Me If You Gran” campaign, which will see a crew of nimble nans descend on Glasgow, Edinburgh, Liverpool and London.
But Edinburgh gets its chance to catch a cash-carrying gran on Wednesday, just 24 hours after the challenge kicks off in Glasgow.
Amanda played Alma Baldwin – previously Halliwell and Sedgewick – for more than 20 years in Coronation Street and starred as Cleo in the classic Carry On Cleo. She said: “After all those years in the UK’s top soap and my Carry On capers, I know a thing or two about causing chaos.
“Then there was my time reeking havoc in Larkhill Prison, not to mention taking a swipe at Gordon Ramsay on national TV. But even I struggle to keep up with these BRU grannies.
“They’ve traded shopping trolleys for mobility scooters and they’re determined not to be caught. If you do manage to stop one, you’ve definitely earned your £125.”
The stunt brings IRN-BRU’s iconic shoplifting granny to life more than two decades after she first caused havoc on TV screens.
The brand’s classic 2001 “Electric Lady” advert featured a sweet-looking elderly woman cruising through town on a mobility scooter before pulling down her tea-cosy hat like a balaclava and raiding a shop for cans of IRN-BRU.
Now the getaway gran is being unleashed for real, and Edinburgh residents have the chance to catch her.
The Scottish capital is the second stop on the four-city tour, following Glasgow on Tuesday, September 15.
Liverpool gets its turn on Thursday, September 17, before the grannies make their final getaway in London on Friday, September 18.
Kenny Nicholson, Director of Brand at IRN-BRU, said: “To celebrate our anniversary, we’ve brought to life one of our greatest characters.
“The IRN-BRU grannies are out in force next week, revving their scooters and ready to hit the road.
“Fans will need to be quick as they won’t be in each of the four cities for long before they make a speedy getaway to the next one.
“This is one of the many ways we’re giving back to the nation as we mark 125 years of Made in Scotland from Girders.”
Watsonian Football Club has announced the introduction of Hastings 13 Lager into the Myreside pavilion in partnership with longstanding sponsor and Scottish brewery Harviestoun Brewery in honour of the life and legacy of club icon Scott Hastings.
The partnership embeds Harviestoun into the fabric of matchday culture at Myreside while paying homage to Scott, a monumental figure in Scottish rugby who passed away earlier this year having served Watsonians, Scotland and the British & Irish Lions with distinction.
Harviestoun introduced Hastings 13 lager at the recent celebration of Scott’s life, in collaboration with pavilion operator Heart of Midlothian, and now the brewery and club have introduced the lager at Myreside as part of a sponsorship deal to support Watsonian FC’s growth.
The official launch took place at Myreside before the opening home fixtures of the season, on Saturday September 5, when both the men’s and women’s 1st XVs were in action.
John McLellan, President of Watsonian Football Club, said, “Scott Hastings represented the very best of what it means to be a Watsonian and as a hugely influential character who was the life and soul of any party I’m sure he would have loved the idea of raising a glass of his own beer to the club’s future.
“Harviestoun is one of our longest-serving and most important sponsors, and the club is privileged to work with them to embed the brewery into Myreside history. Having the Hastings 13 tap permanently on the bar gives our members, players, and supporters a meaningful way to celebrate Scott’s memory and spirit every single matchday.”
Scott’s brother, former Watsonians, Scotland and Lions captain Gavin Hastings said, “Our family’s connection to Myreside runs incredibly deep and as a tireless champion of the club both on and off the field, I’m sure he would be very proud that our name will continue to be associated with celebration at Myreside, but also the future welfare of the club.
“When Harviestoun stepped up to work with Heart of Midlothian and created the Hastings 13 lager for Scott’s celebration of life, it meant a great deal to our family. Bringing this tribute permanently into the clubhouse alongside Harviestoun’s wider support is a wonderful way to connect our family, the club, and Scott’s legacy.”
Andrew McKnight of Harviestoun Brewery, commented, “It’s a real privilege to continue partnering with Watsonian FC and work alongside the Hastings family. Crafting the Hastings 13 beer to commemorate Scott was a deeply meaningful project for our team.
“We are proud to recognise the club’s past, whilst supporting the club’s future across both the men’s and women’s games, while honouring one of Scottish rugby’s true greats.”
PICTURED (top): Corey Hastings, Gavin Hastings, and Kerry-Anne Hastings
Scotmid has begun its search to find the next Scottish Favourites, giving shoppers the chance to discover more locally sourced products in stores and helping Scottish producers reach new communities.
Producers from across the country are being invited to put their products forward for the chance to secure a place on Scotmid’s shelves, with applications now open to producers across a wide range of food and drink categories.
Scotmid has teamed up with Scotland Food & Drink for the 2026 Scottish Favourites competition, giving Scottish food and drink businesses an opportunity to bring their products to new customers through Scotmid stores, while helping shoppers discover more locally made products in their own communities.
The competition is turning up a notch this year. Scottish suppliers now have a chance to win one of three Gold Awards, with these lucky winners receiving both a listing in Scotmid stores and a £2,000 monetary prize to support their launch.
Scotmid Members will have the opportunity to decide on one of the Gold Award winners too and will be invited to taste and score products from all 12 shortlisted suppliers, with their highest-scoring product receiving the Member Gold Award.
Previous winners have seen a significant impact from taking part. Three Robins founder, Karen Robinson, said winning a listing for the company’s oat milk range had allowed the business to “double our distribution overnight, making our products available to families all across Scotland.”
Danny Scobie, Head of Commercial at Scotmid, said: “Scottish Favourites has become a great way for us to discover exciting products and producers from across Scotland, while giving businesses a real opportunity to get their products in front of more customers.
“We’ve seen the difference a Scotmid listing can make for previous winners. We want to hear from producers of all shapes and sizes – whether you’re an emerging business ready to take the next step or an established producer with something new for our customers.
“Scotland has an incredible food and drink sector, and we’re looking forward to discovering the products that could become our customers’ next Scottish favourites. As a community retailer, we know how much customers value local choice, and this competition is one way we can help bring more of Scotland’s best products into the heart of our communities.”
The launch coincides with Scottish Food & Drink September, the annual celebration of the people, products and businesses behind Scotland’s food and drink sector.
Alex Kidd, UK Market Manager – Retail at Scotland Food & Drink, said: ““We’re delighted to be partnering with Scotmid for the fifth consecutive year, providing Scottish food and drink businesses with a valuable platform to access the convenience retail market and raise awareness of their products.
“Scottish Food and Drink September is all about celebrating our vibrant and diverse food and drink industry, so it’s fantastic to have the Scottish Favourites competition launched as part of our month-long campaign.
“From innovative start-ups to well-established brands seeking to expand their retail presence, competitions such as Scottish Favourites play a vital role in supporting growth by helping producers build meaningful retail relationships, increase visibility, and take the next step in their business journey.”
Applications are now open to Scottish food and drink producers and close at 11.30am on Friday 16 October.
Find out more and apply:
https://foodanddrink.scot/events-and-membership/events/scotmids-scottish-favourites-2026
