Severe Milk Allergy and Restaurants in Highlands and Edinburgh

I hope others who have to deal with food allergies can allay some of your concerns. From my perspective as someone without such issues: European menus seem to carry more information about allergens than the typical US menu. Since I've seen it in so many countries, I've been assuming there's some sort of EU requirement. I realize that is not a guarantee of 100%-safe food-handling procedures in every restaurant kitchen, but perhaps it's indicative of a somewhat higher level of awareness.

In Scotland--accents notwithstanding--you shouldn't have any difficulty making most servers understand the seriousness of the situation. However, since you may encounter some young people from other, non-English-speaking countries working in Scottish restaurants who may not have an iron-clad understanding of spoken American English, it might be a good idea to print one of the cards you can find on the internet, stating the allergy. I've read here on the forum of situations in which a server took the card back to the kitchen to be sure the customer could eat safely.

You could focus on vegan restaurants. This would probably be easier in Edinburgh than smaller towns. Happy Cow is a good resource.
https://www.happycow.net/

The UK is pretty strict when it comes to labeling/informing about allergens in food. I’d suggest you read the following:
https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/allergen-labelling-for-food-manufacturers
https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/allergen-guidance-for-food-businesses
https://www.food.gov.uk/safety-hygiene/food-allergy-and-intolerance

My daughter has an anaphylactic allergy to tree nuts. Our experience is that the food labeling laws in Europe (including Scotland) are much stricter than in the US. I've also found servers and staff to be much more conscientious about food allergies in Europe than in the US. Servers will go back to the kitchen to ensure that a menu item is safe for a given person. The restaurant has no interest in having to call 999 any more than you want them to.

By law in the U.K., all supermarket food needs to be clearly labelled with the ingredients. There are plenty dairy free options. All cafes and restaurants must have a book detailing all the ingredients so ask that they check this before you buy anything.

This might be a dining option for you in Edinburgh although I don't think there will be any problems finding restaurants to cater for your son's allergy wherever you go. I have never eaten at David Bann's so my recommendation is not personal.

www.davidbann.co.uk

In Inverness there is this establishment although again the recommendation is not personal

www.mustardseedrestaurant.co.uk

Dairy free produce is available in all good supermarkets located in dedicated aisles where foods will be packaged as "Free From" and carefully labelled. You should find everything to suit your son's diet in Sainsbury's, Tesco, Asda or Morrisons.

I keep reading about staff shortages in the hospitality industry generally, so to avoid any problems I would make dinner reservations whenever you can and mention your son's requirements at the same time.

Dairy allergies are common in Scotland like the rest of the UK. Most menus will have that information especially if they're part of a chain. If not just ask. There will be a note saying that if you have questions about allergies to just ask your server. They're well informed. Don't worry about it have a great time.

As the others say, in the supermarkets the packaged goods are clearly marked and in the larger stores there will be an increasingly large area for foods that are allergy free. In restaurants ask the service staff, it should all be available and any half decent chef should enjoy the challenge of making something without dairy.