Wondering About A Scottish Breakfast?
What’s the Difference Between an English Breakfast and a Scottish Breakfast?
A Scottish breakfast is likely to include a potato scone and haggis as breakfast items. It may also include a square or ‘lorne’ sausage instead of a normal links sausage.
This article was inspired after hearing a fellow guest ask the hotel staff for a full English breakfast. The only problem with that was we were in a hotel in Scotland!
My nephew and I paused, waiting for the hotel staff to correct the guests, but they simply took their order and carried on.
If you are planning on coming to visit Scotland then just remember we have a Scottish breakfast and that is a little different from an English breakfast.
Here are some of the similarities and differences between the two breakfasts.
Similar But Different Items in a Scottish Breakfast
Sausage
Some places offer ‘links sausages’ as well as ‘square’ sausages. Links sausages are your normal tubular sausages, sometimes the frozen variety and sometimes a lovely local sausage lovingly handmade.
Square sausage is something altogether different. Firstly it’s square! It’s not in a casing like a regular sausage. It’s flat and like a little square sausage patty. Generally, a square sausage is made of beef, with rusk and spices rather than pork as you might expect for a breakfast sausage.
The square sausage is often fried. If left under a heat lamp for too long on a buffet breakfast it can curl up at the edges and dry out a bit.
To heighten the complexity square sausages are often referred to as Lorne sausages, but we aren’t quite sure why.
I have to confess to never having tried a square sausage in the 20 years I have lived in Scotland. Sorry!
Porridge
Porridge is quite a serious subject here in Scotland.
Scottish porridge is generally made with water, none of that fancy milk, or heaven forbid some cream. For those of us who like covering our porridge in all sorts of toppings, syrups, fruits, and nuts that’s not common in Scottish hotels.
Some posh hotels do offer whisky and cream with their Scottish porridge though!
If you are a fan of porridge then Scotland hosts the Golden Spurtle competition, which is the world porridge making championships. The competition is pretty fierce!
Different Scottish Breakfast Items
Haggis
If you come to Scotland someone will no doubt try and tell you about the creatures that live out in the woods and who run round in clockwise circles, so to catch them you simply go anti-clockwise. Funnily enough, all that is totally untrue!
Haggis is a collection of offal items cooked inside a skin (traditionally the stomach of a sheep). It’s can be quite spicy to taste, not hot spicy but spicy because of spices and peppers.
Haggis is often served in slices for breakfast.
You really should try it at least once if you are in Scotland.
There are also now very nice vegetarian haggis options too. They have a completely different texture and flavour but are well worth trying.
Potato Scone
When you think of a scone you might think of something light and fluffy hopefully warmed so that your breakfast butter melts into it. That’s not a Scottish potato scone.
Instead think of something very flat and often quite tough. Some places bake it and some fry it. Let’s just say it’s a bit of a unique experience!
Of course, we don’t often call these potato scones, calling them Tattie scones instead.
Things That Are the Same
Black Pudding
Although black pudding is sometimes served with an English breakfast it is very common to serve it with a Scottish breakfast.
It’s probably best not to dwell on what is actually in the black pudding but just to enjoy eating it. (It’s made with blood and oatmeal if you really want to know.)
Black pudding is cooked in a skin and served in slices. It is usually fried because most things on a Scottish breakfast plate are.
There are some very nice vegetarian black pudding options available too, with a very similar texture to the real thing.
They are worth a try just so you know what they are like really.
Mushrooms, beans, eggs and bacon are also generally served with a full Scottish breakfast so no differences there really.
Fried bread is sometimes available the same as it is with an English breakfast.
You may be surprised to know that a Scottish breakfast is not served with Irn-Bru as the drink but actually with tea or coffee.
Toast is also served with a Scottish breakfast.
Scottish Breakfast Summary
- If you order a Scottish breakfast you can expect a plate of fried delights with some uniquely Scottish features.
- Put your qualms aside and try haggis if it’s available, you may be surprised to discover you like it.
You Might Also Like;
Loch Ness Boat Trips – all the options in one place to help you find your favourite
Hotels in Inverness – 20 hotels compared side by side
Things to do in Inverness – including some great places to eat
Find more information on my Scottish Highlands page
Further Reading
- What’s the Difference Between an English Breakfast and a Scottish Breakfast? 🏴 🏴Wondering About A Scottish Breakfast? This article was inspired after hearing a fellow guest ask the hotel staff for a full English breakfast. The only problem with that was we were in a hotel in Scotland! My nephew and I paused, waiting for the hotel staff to correct the guests, but they simply took their… Read More »What’s the Difference Between an English Breakfast and a Scottish Breakfast? 🏴 🏴
- What is the Best Way to See the Scottish Highlands? 🏴See the Scottish Highlands by Train We are lucky to have several beautiful train routes in the Highlands. The first is probably the most famous, the West Highland Line. This runs from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh which overlooks the Isle of Skye. This railway was made more famous by Michael Palin who declared the… Read More »What is the Best Way to See the Scottish Highlands? 🏴
- 6 Shetland Hotels Reviewed – Find Your Ideal Stay Easily 🛌Looking to travel to Shetland? Want to know about Shetland Hotels? Here is my guide to 6 hotels that I have stayed in when visiting Shetland. Shetland Hotels Shetland Hotels The Lerwick Hotel, Lerwick Set just on the edge of Lerwick the Lerwick Hotel is set on a hill on the coast looking across to… Read More »6 Shetland Hotels Reviewed – Find Your Ideal Stay Easily 🛌
- Planning a Highlands Holiday? – Here’s What to Pack 🏴highlands holiday post image
- Is It Easy to Drive in the Scottish Highlands?If you are coming to the Scottish Highlands and planning on driving here are some things you need to know. The Scottish Highlands are a fantastic place to drive but it’s quite different from other parts of Scotland the UK. What It’s Like Drive in the Scottish Highlands? There aren’t any motorways in the Scottish… Read More »Is It Easy to Drive in the Scottish Highlands?
- What’s Best Time of Year to Visit the Scottish Highlands?As someone who has lived in the Highlands for over 20 years any time of year is a great time to visit the Scottish Highlands as there is always something wonderful to see. Here are some things to help you decide when it’s the best time for you to visit. Here is what the weather… Read More »What’s Best Time of Year to Visit the Scottish Highlands?
- Foyers House Hotel Review – Helpful Things to KnowLooking to stay at the Foyers House Hotel? Here is my review, including a video room tour, of a one night stay in November 2022. I was staying in Foyers because I was attending a photography course. My Overall Rating for the Foyers House Hotel – 😐 Price for Stay – 1 Night in November… Read More »Foyers House Hotel Review – Helpful Things to Know
- Highland Hotel Strathpeffer Review – Helpful Things To KnowLooking to stay in Strathpeffer? Check out this review of the Highland Hotel Strathpeffer, which includes a video tour of the room. What is the Highland Hotel Strathpeffer Like? The Highland Hotel is a large hotel in a historic building. The hotel has a wood-panelled lounge and dining area and some stained glass windows. The… Read More »Highland Hotel Strathpeffer Review – Helpful Things To Know
- Brodie Castle – Everything You Need to Plan Your VisitThinking of visiting Brodie Castle? With lovely grounds to walk in, a quirky castle, cute cafe and a fabulous play area what’s not to like? Check out this guide for all you need to know Brodie Castle – Everything You Need to Know 1. Brodie Castle Address and Telephone Number Brodie Castle address is; Brodie,… Read More »Brodie Castle – Everything You Need to Plan Your Visit