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Gluten Free Edinburgh

cristiana

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cristiana Veteran
cristiana
Posted

We're off to Edinburgh soon.  This'll be the longest trip I've taken since one last year to France which was pretty disastrous in terms of accidental glutening.  Hoping for better this time.  Any Scottish celiacs out there or recent travellers who can recommend some good value restaurants before I resort to packing a five day picnic, which is something I really don't want to do?    :) Thanks!

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cristiana Veteran
cristiana
Posted
  • Author

We're off to Edinburgh soon.  This'll be the longest trip I've taken since one last year to France which was pretty disastrous in terms of accidental glutening.  Hoping for better this time.  Any Scottish celiacs out there or recent travellers who can recommend some good value restaurants before I resort to packing a five day picnic, which is something I really don't want to do?    :) Thanks!

 

Just back from our trip.   Thought I would just share my findings in case of use to anyone in the future...

 

Prezzos do a great gluten free risotto - there are several outlets, but if you visit their restaurant on North Bridge you will see it has the most amazing view of the New Town.  Frankie and Benny's actually have a decent gluten-free menu, there are quite a few outlets in Edinburgh and further afield.   

 

The lovely surprise was to be able to go to the Royal Yacht Britannia, which was HM Queen Elizabeth's yacht and now being run as a visitor's attraction.  Voted the Best Tourist Attraction it is so worth the visit, you can take a tourist bus (Majestic Tours) down there or a normal bus at a fraction of the cost to its mooring at Leith.  On board ship there is a tea room and ALL soups there are gluten free and even better, if you have a sweet tooth, they do a gluten free cream tea with scones, jam and cream - RULE BRITANNIA!

 

Jenners the department store on Princes Street has a great cafe on the second floor with windows overlooking Edinburgh Castle.  You can sit there and have coffee and look at one of the best views of the city.  The day I was there raspberry or lemon polenta cake, again gluten free, was being served.

 

We stayed at a Novotel which offered gluten-free toast and cereal and of course, fruit, cheese, preserves.  No gluten-free English Breakfast though.  

 

Throughout the cities are branches of M&S who sell really decent salads.  M&S are very good at clearly marking their labels for allergens so a trustworthy lunch/supper if all else fails.

 

If you have a sweet tooth, a lot of the sweets (candy) is gluten free.  Try Mrs Tilly's Scottish Tablet which is labelled as such.

 

In two words, as far as gluten-free is concerned, Edinburgh Rocks!

 

(and even the Edinburgh Rock candy I bought was gluten free).

cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted

Thanks! We will be in The UK in just a few short weeks!

KCG91 Enthusiast
KCG91
Posted

Glad you had a good trip Cristiana :) I've only just seen this post but cyclinglady, this is a good UK forum for finding places to eat etc Open Original Shared Link

 

Labelling laws here are pretty good and you'll usually find something in supermarkets or restaurants. I've had to get creative a few times but I've never gone without yet. Where are you visiting? 

cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted

Katie, thank you so much!!!!

I briefly went to the forum and the first thing I saw was a recent posting about a Royal Caribbean cruise. This poster survived!!!! She actually had a great time. What a relief! We are going on the exact same ship. This has made my week and I had a pretty nice one camping at the beach, literally on the beach (coffee in hand, reading a book, black lab at my side while watching my daughter surf). Downside is cleaning out the Motorhome this morning -- lots of sand! I am going to text hubby right away and make his day!

We have been to the UK several times, but it is my daughter's first. So little time! A few days in London (Harry Potter tours, anything with Queen Victoria, and all that London has to offer) and then out to Oxford (she wants to go there -- you go for that scholarship, girl!). Bath and the Cotswolds (she adores Jane Austin (me too) and we found a gluten-free friendly B&B), a farm in Dorset (James Herriot), and all the sites we can see in that area. We have about two weeks. Not enough time to get to Scotland this trip.

We are bringing a small collapsible cooler and hope to eat mostly at grocery stores. I did find a totally gluten free resort B&B but it was booked. Will dine at their totally gluten-free restaurant even if we have to drive a hour from Bath. Bringing my toaster bags too. I have searched for gluten free things, but have not found this site.

Thank you again!!!!!!!!!!!!

KCG91 Enthusiast
KCG91
Posted

Aah you're welcome :D that sounds like an awesome week. I want a motorhome and a lab! I'm glad you find it useful. It's a hidden gem, never comes up in searches for some reason. All those places are brilliant :) I love James Herriot and Harry Potter, she has good taste ;) I love Oxford and Bath too, I spent two months working there last summer. I wasn't diagnosed at the time so I can't recommend anywhere in particular but to be honest I've never been totally stuck for something to eat and I've only been hit once. I generally find waiting staff very helpful too once they know it's *serious* and not a fad.We just had 'Awareness Week' with lots about coeliac in the press so you picked a good time.  

 

If you are in a fix, Pizza Express is a decent pizza chain which is accredited to Coeliac UK standards - the pizzas are really good and they only use gluten-free flour in the kitchen, no gluteny flour in the air. A lot of Tesco Extra stores are trialling extended gluten-free ranges at the moment (including sandwiches). Marks and Spencers, Waitrose, the Co-Op and Sainsburys have good ranges too, even in little stores usually. Avoid Morrisons gluten-free range like the plague, it's awful! 

 

I hope you have a great trip :D Let me know how you get on - I'd be interested to see how overseas-liacs (couldn't resist) find the UK for gluten free food. 

KCG91 Enthusiast
KCG91
Posted

Just noticed posts on Oxford and Bath on this blog: Open Original Shared Link Might be helpful!

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