Five bites, one big lesson in Scottish flavor. At Errichel near Aberfeldy, you pick cheese at 2:15 or charcuterie at 2:45 and get a guided walkthrough of five standout Scottish samples, with chutneys and smart pairing tips. My only watch-out: you must book the exact session you want, since they can’t swap you to the other option on the day.

I also like the way the host brings the food to life. You’ll get the kind of explanation you can actually use—spun around the cheeses and meats, the “why” behind the pairings, and even Chef Paul Newman’s home-made chutneys mentioned for the tasting. The setting helps, too: it’s a proper deli-and-food stop, not a rushed assembly line.

One more thing to know up front: the tasting runs about 50 minutes, is offered in English, and holds a small group (maximum 8). If you’re short on time in Aberfeldy, this is a focused hit of Scottish specialties—just don’t wait until last minute to decide which session you want.

Key things to know before you go

• Book the right time: cheese is 2:15pm, charcuterie is 2:45pm, and they can’t change you on the day
• Small group format: up to 8 people, so you’re not lost in the crowd
• You’ll taste 5 items: each session is built around five Scottish samples, with accompaniments
• Take-home souvenirs: a Cheese Map of Scotland or Charcuterie Map of Scotland plus tasting guidelines and a flavor wheel
• Optional alcohol pairings exist: beer with charcuterie or wine with cheese, for a supplement
• Buy what you like after: the deli/farm shop setup makes it easy to recreate your favorites at home

Thyme Delicatessen at Errichel: choosing cheese or charcuterie

This tasting starts where you’d want to start if you’re a food person: at Thyme Delicatessen at Errichel in Aberfeldy. The feel is practical—show up, get settled, and get ready to taste and learn in a small group. Meeting point details are simple, and the activity ends back at the same place.

Before you go, the most important decision is which session you book. There are two choices:

• Scottish Cheese Tasting at 2:15pm
• Scottish Charcuterie Tasting at 2:45pm

They’re treated as separate experiences. That means if you’re traveling with friends who want different things, you’ll want to coordinate ahead of time rather than hope for a last-minute switch. If you’re going as a group and some want cheese and some want charcuterie, the provider says they can arrange this directly—so it’s worth emailing or contacting them rather than making it a day-of stress.

You’ll be guided throughout, and the whole thing is designed for about 50 minutes. Since it’s in English and capped at a max of 8, you can actually hear the explanations and ask a follow-up without the group moving on without you.

Your 5-sample platter: local favorites plus chutneys

The heart of the experience is your tasting platter of five. In the cheese session, it’s five Scottish cheeses. In the charcuterie session, it’s five Scottish charcuterie items. Either way, you’ll get accompaniments alongside the samples, and you’ll taste with a plan rather than grabbing whatever looks good first.

A big detail I like here is the chutney factor. The tasting includes Chef Paul Newman’s home-made chutneys. Even if you’re not a chutney person, this matters because chutney is one of those pairers that can add fruitiness, acidity, and sweetness—helping cut through richer flavors and making the next cheese (or meat) more distinct.

What you’ll get to taste is intentionally local: the tasting is built around Scottish producers and selection. The experience also includes a guided introduction to each of the five tastings, so you’re not left trying to guess what you’re eating or why it’s being served.

One practical tip: approach each sample like a mini-course. Take a moment for the aroma first, then the texture, then the flavor finish. The session is short enough that you’ll get more out of slow bites than rushing through.

Pairings and the flavor wheel: how the tasting becomes useful

This tasting isn’t just about eating cheese or meat. It’s about learning how to describe what you like and how to match flavors in a way that carries over to your next meal.

You’ll be handed tasting guidelines and a flavor wheel. This is handy because it gives you words and categories when you’re trying to repeat the experience later. Instead of saying it tasted good, you can point to why: salty, smoky, creamy, tangy, or something in that direction. That’s especially useful for cheeses, where texture and aging can change the bite a lot.

You also get to keep a map of Scotland for what you’re tasting:

• Cheese session: Cheese Map of Scotland
• Charcuterie session: Charcuterie Map of Scotland

The goal is simple: you keep tasting notes and take the theme home. If you’re the kind of traveler who likes food souvenirs that actually get used, this is a smarter option than a generic postcard magnet.

A standout theme in the experience is pairing. You’ll get explanations about what works with each sample—often including a suggested pairing for at least one cheese. If you’ve ever tried to buy something at home and then felt clueless about how to serve it, the pairings here are the missing link.

And yes, the host’s delivery matters. Names that come up include Becky (also mentioned as Rebecca). The tone is described as informative and friendly, with explanations that help you connect flavors to choices you can repeat.

The deli-and-farm-shop bonus: buy what you loved

One of the smartest parts of Errichel’s setup is that the tasting ties into shopping right after. After your session, you’re in a place where you can pick up items to recreate your tasting at home—especially if a particular cheese, meat, jam, or chutney becomes your personal favorite.

The experience includes links for purchasing produce (mentioned in feedback), and the attached deli/farm shop is stocked with Scottish cheese, charcuterie, jams, and chutneys. That means you can turn the tasting from a one-time activity into something you share later—maybe with friends, maybe with a weekend cheese board that’s actually worth the effort.

If you want to keep your plan simple, buy just three things:

1) one cheese you liked most

2) one accompaniment (like chutney)

3) one charcuterie item (if you did cheese tasting) or one cheese (if you did charcuterie tasting)

You’ll end up with a small board that mirrors what you learned, without overbuying.

Alcohol pairings: nice add-ons, not required

In the core price, alcoholic beverages are not included. If you want to make it more of a “sip and savor” event, there are upgraded versions available:

• Beer tasting with the charcuterie
• Wine tasting with the cheese

These are for a supplement.

This matters for your decision-making. If you’re the sort of traveler who wants to stay fully in control—driving, walking around Aberfeldy after, or keeping the budget tight—the standard tasting is already complete. You’ll still get guided instruction, five samples, and take-home notes.

If you’re celebrating, alcohol pairings can add a fun extra layer. Just treat it as an optional upgrade, not the reason to book. The main value is the five-sample learning format and the Scotland map and flavor wheel.

Where it fits in an Aberfeldy day

Aberfeldy is a friendly base town for slower Scottish days. This tasting is also the right length if you want something food-focused without losing half your afternoon to logistics.

Since it runs about 50 minutes and ends back at the meeting point, it works as:

• an early-afternoon activity (before dinner plans),
• a calm break from sightseeing,
• or the anchor event if you’re already planning to eat well in town.

Also, Errichel is part of the farm tours world, and some visitors talk about doing farm time earlier and pairing it with the tasting later. Even if you’re not doing a full farm tour, the general rhythm makes sense: you see where the produce comes from (if you choose to), then learn how to taste it properly.

If the weather is gray (Scotland does not promise sunshine), this is still a good plan because you’re indoors, eating, and learning.

Price and value: what $39.78 gets you

At $39.78 per person, this is not a “cheap and cheerful” tasting—but it’s also not trying to be a luxury banquet.

The value comes from three places:

• Five guided samples with accompaniments and chutney
• Take-home learning tools: the map, tasting guidelines, and the flavor wheel
• Small group size (max 8), which makes the instruction feel personal rather than scripted

You’re paying for expertise and structure, not just food. And because the deli is right there, you can translate that structure into shopping after—so you’re not left with only the memory.

Is it expensive compared to grabbing cheese at a supermarket? Sure. But if you want to learn what to buy and how to pair it at home, the tasting can earn its keep pretty fast.

One practical note: the price doesn’t include alcohol. If you add beer or wine upgrades, plan on spending more. Still, you’ll be paying for an extra pairing component, not a completely different event.

Who should book (and who might skip it)

This tasting is a great fit if you:

• like Scottish food and want a guided introduction without doing tons of research first
• enjoy structured tastings where you learn how flavors work together
• want a memorable food experience that ends with you leaving able to buy items locally
• are traveling in a small group and prefer instruction over wandering

It’s also a nice option if you’re a couple or a solo traveler. Small group size means you won’t feel like you’re competing for attention.

You might think twice if you:

• want a long, multi-hour tour or a full day program
• are only interested in alcohol (since it’s not included in the standard format)
• aren’t into tasting notes or pairing explanations

For most people, the trade-off is worth it: you get enough time to actually taste and learn, without the experience dragging on.

Should you book the Scottish Cheese or Charcuterie tasting at Errichel?

Yes, if you’re choosing one food tasting in the Aberfeldy area, this is a solid pick. The combination of five-item tasting, pairing instruction, and take-home maps and flavor tools makes it more than a snack stop. And the fact that you can buy favorites right after turns it into a repeatable experience, not just a one-off afternoon.

If you’re on the fence, decide based on your appetite for learning. If you like understanding what you’re eating—cheese, meat, and why—book it. If you only want “taste without talk,” you’ll probably still enjoy it, but you may want to keep your expectations focused on tasting and guidance, not a big show.

FAQ

Is this tasting cheese or charcuterie?

You book one or the other. Cheese tasting is at 2:15pm, and charcuterie tasting is at 2:45pm. You can’t switch between them on the day.

How long does the tasting last?

It runs for about 50 minutes (approx.).

What’s included in the price?

You get a tasting platter of 5 Scottish cheeses or 5 Scottish charcuterie items, along with chutney and other accompaniments, plus tasting guidelines and a flavor wheel. You also receive a take-home Cheese Map of Scotland or Charcuterie Map of Scotland.

Are alcohol drinks included?

No. Alcoholic beverages aren’t included in the base experience. Upgraded versions are available with beer for charcuterie or wine for cheese, for an extra supplement.

Where do I meet for the experience?

You meet at Thyme Delicatessen at Errichel, Aberfeldy PH15 2EL, UK. The experience ends back at the meeting point.

How many people are in a group?

The maximum group size is 8 travelers.

Is the experience offered in English?

Yes, it’s offered in English.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the experience start time (free cancellation). If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid is not refunded.