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Scotland Gluten Free Travel

Hello. I have an allergy to gluten (not a fad!) and have been researching restaurants in Edinburgh. Anyone have any helpful tips about eating gluten free in Edinburgh, Glasgow, St. Andrews, and up around Loch Tay? Thank you so much.

Posted by
32523 posts

Ask what their GF dishes are. GF is everywhere at the moment. You're not a fad - I've known several sufferers so I am speaking from experience - but millions are so most places are making concessions. If unusually there are no GF items on the menu you can ask.

Posted by
1634 posts

Most will be able to tell you. Coeliac disease is not uncommon in Scotland, like Ireland roughly 1% have it, and most menus show the gluten free choices.

If in doubt ask. You are the customer after all.

Posted by
11294 posts

Of your locations, I've only been to Glasgow, but I found awareness of gluten and allergens to be even higher there than in New York. All menus were labeled with details of these, including places that said they could not guarantee freedom from cross-contamination (I haven't seen that spelled out so clearly elsewhere). Just note that it's spelled "coeliac" there, not "celiac," as on the bag of spelt flour in the Waitrose supermarket labeled "Not Suitable For Coeliacs."

Speaking of supermarkets, many have a "Free From" section (free from nuts, from gluten, etc).

Two places in Byres Road, in the West End of Glasgow, which I remember being very attentive to these concerns:

Old Salty's. They have much more than fish and chips (I had a burger); scroll down, and you'll see that gluten-free batter is available at no extra charge. http://www.oldsaltys.co.uk/#menu

Taco Mazama. Mexican food, and I see from their website that it is a mini-chain with a branch in Edinburgh. Here's their allergy information - you see what I mean about attention to these details: http://www.tacomazama.co.uk/allergy-information/

Posted by
2636 posts

By law all food providers must be able to list allergens in their food. restaurants are well geared up to this and will list allergens on the menus or mark foods with gluten free markers.if concerned at all just ask the wait staff and they will help you.
all the supermarkets have Free from sections including snack food like wraps and mixed salads even some of the fish and chip shops will do gluten free batter on the fish.
you should not have any major problems