Hotel creates menu tribute to Outlander

YOU’VE read the book, watched the TV series, toured the locations, now you can even taste Outlander, the romantic historical time-travel saga set in Scotland at the time of the Battle of Culloden.
Pic Lisa Ferguson 05/06/2015
Star & Garter in Linlithgow are offering customers an Outlander menuPic Lisa Ferguson 05/06/2015
Star & Garter in Linlithgow are offering customers an Outlander menu
Pic Lisa Ferguson 05/06/2015 Star & Garter in Linlithgow are offering customers an Outlander menu

The original novels by Diana Gabaldon have sold more than 25 million copies and the raunchy TV series, starring Caitriona Balfe as Claire and Sam Heughan as Jamie, and filmed in locations such as the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the World’s End pub, premiered on Amazon Prime in Britain in March to huge fanfare.

Now, a menu inspired by the food eaten by the 18th century characters is being offered to avid followers of the show who want the full Outlander experience in Scotland.

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And the Lothian pub putting on the meals is set for an invasion after the idea was given the backing of official fans’ groups.

Historical tour company Mary’s Meanders has launched Taste of Outlander evenings which also include Scottish traditional music, bagpiping, sword-dancing and readings from or inspired by the story, which has been dubbed Scotland’s Game of Thrones.

Dishes such as Scotch broth, gypsy stew and cranachan have been produced by chefs at the Star and Garter pub in Linlithgow, using recipes from Canadian chef and food writer Theresa Carle-Sanders’ blog Outlander Kitchen.

Ms Carle-Sanders creates a new recipe on her blog every week to accompany each episode, from bannocks to “chicken in the heather with cauliflower, whisky and cheese”.

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She said: “Food is a huge part of any country’s history and culture, and Scottish cuisine is no different. One of the easiest ways to connect with a different time or culture is to eat how they did.”

The story follows the fortunes of a Second World War nurse thrown back in time to 18th century Scotland.

And A Taste of Outlander has been given the stamp of approval by fan group Outlandish UK. Lisa Lyall from the group said members want to immerse themselves in the story.

“Yes, we seem to be enthusiastic about every aspect of it. I think because the characters are so well written, they feel real, so you want to see what they see, feel what they feel.”

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She added that welcoming overseas fans to Scotland gave members of Outlandish a real sense of pride in showing off their country. “I think there has been a lot of negativity especially over the last year or so with Scottish politics so it’s fantastic to remember what a special country this is,” she said.