Scottish Cheese OR Scottish Charcuterie Tasting at Errichel

Scottish cheese or charcuterie, done the friendly way. At Errichel in Aberfeldy, you get a guided tasting of five standout Scottish picks, plus a take-home map with tasting notes. I love that it is not just sniff and taste, you get a simple system (a flavour wheel and guidelines) that helps you understand what you are eating. One thing to consider, you must choose either the Cheese session or the Charcuterie session, and you cannot swap on the day.

The setting is practical and relaxed, starting at Thyme Delicatessen Errichel, right where the food is made easy to access before and after. I also like that the host explains why the accompaniments work, so you leave with pairings you can actually repeat at home. The tasting runs about 50 minutes, so go in hungry, but don’t expect a long sit-down meal.

Key Highlights You’ll Actually Care About

• Pick the right slot: cheese tasting at 2:15pm or charcuterie tasting at 2:45pm, no day-of changes
• 5 items, fully guided: you taste exactly five cheeses or five charcuterie selections, with explanation for each
• Flavour wheel + guidelines: helps you describe flavours and find pairings you like
• Take-home map of Scotland: a souvenir you can use later when you shop or host friends
• Chef Paul Newman’s chutneys: included accompaniments that tie the platter together
• Small group size: maximum 8 travelers, which keeps the pace unhurried

Where This Errichel Tasting Fits in Aberfeldy

Errichel Farm Tours is based in Aberfeldy, Perthshire, and the tasting starts at Thyme Delicatessen Errichel, PH15 2EL. This is a food stop that feels tied to the local produce scene, not a rushed airport-style sampling.

If you are in town for scenery, this adds a different angle: local taste. If you are visiting Scotland as a food-focused trip, this is a tidy way to learn your way around Scottish cheeses or charcuterie without needing to already know the categories.

The practical upside is the timing. With an approximate 50-minute duration, you can slot it into an afternoon plan without losing your whole day. And because the group is kept small, you get attention at the table, not just a wave from the back of the room.

Cheese at 2:15 or Charcuterie at 2:45: Choose One

This experience is offered in two versions, and the schedule matters. You book one or the other: Scottish Cheese Tasting at 2:15pm, or Scottish Charcuterie Tasting at 2:45pm. You cannot change between them on the day.

So decide based on your cravings:

• If you want creamy, tangy, and sharp flavours with cheese pairings, pick the cheese option.
• If you are more into savoury meats and cured flavours, pick charcuterie.

If you are traveling as a mixed group, there is a helpful path. The operator says they can arrange cheese and charcuterie across people if you contact them directly. That is worth doing, because it avoids everyone waiting around for a session that is not their pick.

Thyme Delicatessen at Errichel: The Easy, Food-First Starting Point

Your tasting begins back at Thyme Delicatessen Errichel. That matters because it sets expectations. This is not hidden behind a museum wall. It is in a working deli setting where you can look at the products, chat about food, and connect the tasting to items you may want to buy later.

The host experience is a big part of why people leave happy. Names mentioned in the experience include Becky and Rebecca, both showing up in reviews as the person explaining the platter and pairings clearly. Expect the conversation to be friendly and practical, not a lecture.

Also, this is a small-group event, maximum 8 travelers. That size helps keep the flavour chat going, and it usually means you can ask questions when something surprises you, like a cheese with a smoky note or a pairing that seems odd until you taste it.

The 50-Minute Flow: Five Tastings, Chutney, and a Flavour Wheel

Here is the core rhythm of the experience. You start with a tasting platter of five artisan items, either:

• 5 Scottish cheeses, with accompaniments, or
• 5 Scottish charcuterie items, with accompaniments

Each platter includes Chef Paul Newman’s home-made chutneys, plus other cheese or charcuterie accompaniments. That chutney component is a smart inclusion, because it gives you a consistent reference point across multiple bites.

During the tasting, you get a guided introduction to each of the five tastings. You also receive:

• Tasting guidelines
• A flavour wheel (cheese or charcuterie version)
• A map of Scotland to take away, matched to what you tasted

It is a short session, but the structure helps you remember the differences. When you taste five items back-to-back, the flavour wheel makes it easier to sort what you liked and why, instead of just remembering “tasty” and moving on.

A practical consideration: you might feel the pace is lively. If you prefer super slow tasting, do not schedule a tight tour right before or after.

How the Pairings Actually Work (And Why You’ll Learn Something)

One of the most praised parts is not just the products, it is the reasoning. The host explains what makes each cheese or charcuterie selection special, then talks through the pairings chosen for it.

That is the difference between this and a generic food tasting. You are not only collecting flavours, you are learning how to connect them. For example, the pairing system helps you understand how texture and intensity can change your perception, like how a chutney can tame saltiness or how an accompaniment can lift richness.

What I like about this is that it trains you for real-world use. You can take the pairing ideas later when you build a board at home. One review specifically calls out learning about pairings, and that you can buy items in the deli afterward to recreate the experience for friends.

Also, you get recommendation-style guidance. The operator can point out other cheeses you might enjoy based on what you liked during the five tastings. That turns the session into a mini shopping shortcut, not just a one-time event.

The Take-Home Map: A Souvenir That Becomes Useful

You leave with a map of Scotland, either a Cheese Map or a Charcuterie Map, depending on the session you booked. It is designed to work with your tasting notes.

That might sound like a nice extra, but it is useful in two ways:

1. It helps you remember what you tasted without digging through mental notes later.
2. It makes future shopping easier. When you buy cheese or cured meats later, you can connect the product back to a region and a flavour direction.

You also take the tasting guidelines and the flavour wheel. If you have ever stared at a cheese menu and felt stuck, this is the kind of tool that helps you pick with confidence.

If you are the type who hosts friends, you will love this part. It is one of the easiest ways to turn a travel experience into a repeatable ritual at home.

Buying More at the Deli: Extend the Experience

One of the smartest perks is what you can do next. Multiple reviews mention that after the tasting, you can buy selected cheeses, charcuterie, and related items in the farm shop or deli attached to the restaurant.

This is great value for food lovers. You can taste first, learn what you like, then bring home a realistic selection that matches your preferences. It also makes it easier to recreate the board for a dinner party instead of guessing what to buy.

If you are trying to keep your luggage light, you might focus on a couple of items plus chutney. If you are staying near Aberfeldy long enough, you can also plan a second visit for coffee and cake, as people mention doing this after a tasting.

Price and Value: Is $39.78 Worth It?

The price is $39.78 per person, for approximately 50 minutes. For a guided tasting, that is on the fair side, especially because the experience includes:

• A tasting platter of five items
• Included accompaniments and chutney
• The flavour wheel and tasting guidelines
• A take-home map of Scotland
• Guided introduction to each of the five tastings

There is no alcohol included in the standard version. But the operator offers upgraded versions for a supplement, including beer tasting with the charcuterie, or wine tasting with the cheese.

So the value question becomes: do you want the learning, structure, and tools, or do you just want bites? If you want the structured “how to taste and pair,” this is a good deal. If you only want casual snacking, you might find it less satisfying.

Optional Upgrades: Beer or Wine Pairing

If you choose to add an upgrade, you can pair the tasting with either beer (with charcuterie) or wine (with cheese). Since the base experience does not include alcohol, these upgrades can make the session feel more like a full pairing workshop.

Just know the trade-off. Upgrades increase cost, and they can shift the focus from learning flavour details to enjoying the drink. If your goal is understanding, I’d treat upgrades as optional, not required.

Best for Who, and Not Best for Who

This tasting fits best if you fall into one of these groups:

• You want an easy, focused food experience in Aberfeldy.
• You like learning what you are tasting, not just sampling.
• You want small-group attention, with time to ask questions.
• You enjoy buying a few products afterward to recreate the experience.

It may not fit as well if:

• Your schedule needs a mix-and-match session. Again, you must choose cheese or charcuterie at the booked time.
• You dislike short experiences. At about 50 minutes, it is designed to be efficient.
• You expect a large banquet style meal. This is a tasting format, not a full dinner.

Quick Practical Tips Before You Go

• Book the slot that matches your food preference. Cheese at 2:15pm, charcuterie at 2:45pm.
• Eat something earlier, then arrive with space for five tastings. You will likely want room for the full flavour progression.
• If you are traveling as a group with mixed preferences, contact the operator directly to arrange split sessions.
• Have a look at the deli afterward if you are planning to buy items. The tasting is designed to translate into real purchases.

Should You Book This Scottish Cheese or Charcuterie Tasting?

Yes, if you want a compact, high-quality food lesson in Aberfeldy. This is not only about eating five items, it is about learning a method, using the flavour wheel and guidelines, and leaving with a map you can use later. The small-group size also makes the experience feel human, and the repeated praise for pairing explanations is a strong sign that you will understand what you liked, not just taste it.

Skip it only if you want a long meal or if your group needs last-minute changes between cheese and charcuterie sessions, because that flexibility is not available on the day.

FAQ

Which session should I book, cheese or charcuterie?

You need to book one specific session: the Scottish Cheese Tasting at 2:15pm or the Scottish Charcuterie Tasting at 2:45pm. You cannot switch on the day.

How long is the tasting?

It lasts about 50 minutes.

How much does it cost?

The price is $39.78 per person.

Where does the tasting start?

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

What is included in the tasting?

You get a tasting platter of five Scottish cheeses or five Scottish charcuterie items, with chutney and other accompaniments. You also receive a take-home map, plus tasting guidelines and a flavour wheel, and a guided introduction to each of the five tastings.

Is alcohol included?

No alcoholic beverages are included in the standard experience. You can book optional upgrades that add beer tasting with the charcuterie or wine tasting with the cheese for a supplement.

Can I take a map or notes home?

Yes. You’ll take away a Cheese Map of Scotland or Charcuterie Map of Scotland, plus tasting guidelines and a flavour wheel.

What group size should I expect?

The maximum group size is 8 travelers.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.