The ‘great outdoors’ and the ‘Scottish food experience’ are two ways in which visitors to Club La Costa in Scotland can connect with the country, and both are in abundant supply throughout all four seasons at Club La Costa’s Duchally Country Estate, near Gleneagles in Perthshire.

In fact, the excellent standards at the Club La Costa restaurant ‘Monteath’s’ were recognised in 2010 with a second successive Silver ‘EatScotland’ Award from the Scottish Tourist Authority, VisitScotland, which included an ‘outstanding’ score for the ‘quality of main ingredients.

Graeme MacDonald, Resort Manager at the Club La Costa Duchally Country Estate, said, “We understand the importance of using locally sourced recipes and ingredients as the basis for exemplary food. It gives our visitors a far greater insight into the region and adds to the excitement and enjoyment of a holiday at Club La Costa in Scotland. After all, shortbread biscuits or fresh salmon would hardly taste the same anywhere else.”

TV personality chefs are also keen supporters and many have built popular recipes around quality produce from north of the border. Appearing on Scottish TV last summer, Jamie Oliver said, “I’ve bought nearly all my beef, game, wild mushrooms and shellfish – scallops and langoustines etc – from Scotland for the last 12 years.”

Supporting his illustrious colleague, Club La Costa Head Chef at Duchally Country Estate Colin Paterson said, “Top chefs like Jamie, who clearly know their stuff, are staking their considerable reputations on Scottish products. We have the advantage that we are already here, on the ground, with access to everything that’s available, as soon as it’s in season.”

It’s a well-kept secret that the area known as the East Neuk of Fife is reputed to have the UK’s highest concentration of 2 and 3 AA Red Rosette restaurants outside London, but it’s not all about what’s on Scotland’s plates. The international success of Scotland’s whisky industry means that it now accounts for nearly 25% of the total value of all UK food and drink exports.

Whisky tasting and visiting distilleries on the famous ‘whisky trail’ are two of the primary reasons why people come to Scotland; at Club La Costa Duchally Country Estate, regular whisky tasting evenings are on offer, with local expert John Black offering his extensive knowledge to the popular events. Graeme MacDonald comments, ”Great Scottish food and good malt whisky make very good bedfellows. People are often surprised to find that a different whisky can successfully be combined with each of 4 dinner courses, including dessert.”

And ‘going local’ is clearly good for business. In a recent study carried out by Thomsons and First Choice, 6 out of 10 holidaymakers said they would prefer to book with businesses that employ local people, source local produce and use green practices to avoid wasting energy.

So it’s no coincidence that Club La Costa Duchally Country Estate also has a Silver Award from the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS), which was set up to develop sustainable tourism, with minimal environmental damage. Graeme is rightly proud of Duchally Country Estate’s contribution towards Scotland’s green tourism strategy, saying, “We use local produce, which is energy efficient and reduces our costs. It makes perfect commercial sense, and Club La Costa customers get to enjoy the holiday benefits – great food and a better natural environment.”