A date night in to remember

While a romantic getaway in Scotland might not be possible this Valentine’s Day, that doesn’t mean couples can’t still fall in love with the country’s stunning scenery or mouth-watering culinary delights from the comfort of home. Valentine’s Day 2021 may look a bit different, but romance is in the air with businesses across the country pulling out all the stops to create the perfect Scotland-inspired date night in.  

From restaurant quality dishes delivered to your home, to online tastings or virtual visits, there are still plenty of ways to woo your Valentine while showing love to local businesses at the same time.  

Here’s some virtual Valentine’s inspiration to make it a date night in to remember. 

Dine in delights 

Scotland is blessed with a bountiful natural larder boasting delicacies such as oysters and Aberdeen Angus beef, to Stornoway black pudding and fresh shellfish. A romantic meal for two in your favourite restaurant might not be possible just now, but many eateries have cleverly adapted their menus to offer a unique Valentine’s dining experience to enjoy a home.  

Located in St Andrews, The Adamson creates seasonal menus as part of the restaurant’s dedication to using the freshest ingredients and commitment to sustainability and provenance. The Valentine at Home kit is available to be delivered nationwide and contains three delicious courses of hot smoked salmon, chateaubriand beef wellington and rhubarb and chocolate tart. 

Order by 10 Feb for delivery on 12 Feb - https://theadamsonathome.com/collections/the-adamson-food-kits/products/copy-of-the-adamson-burns-supper  

Great British Menu chef Amy Elles is behind this delectable Valentine’s Hamper from The Harbour Café in the East Neuk of Fife. Tuck into a starter of organic Balcaskie beef carpaccio followed by a comforting bowl of Lobster spaghetti leaving just enough room for dessert. Hampers are available for one or two people including wine and are available for nationwide delivery. 

To order visit https://www.theharbourcafe.co.uk/shop 

For those who want to try their skills in the kitchen then the Cook School Scotland based in Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire has everything you need to prepare a romantic dinner for two. Valentine’s in a Box is an easy, ready-to-go option to make your night in extra special. Each box contains canapes, starters, main course, two side dishes and a dessert, with the option to include a bottle of prosecco. Vegan menus are also available.  

Delivery on 12 Feb. To order - https://cookschool.org/product/valentines-in-a-box/  

Contini is a name many diners in the Capital will already be familiar with but now couples across the country can sample the Edinburgh eateries’ mouthwatering dishes thanks to Contini At Home, which offers different menus linked to the family run restaurants showcasing the very best seasonal and local Scottish produce. 

Available for delivery nationwide. To order - https://www.contini.com/contini-shop-uk

Launching its first home dining experience in time for February 14. This restaurant based near Pitlochry, Perthshire is offering a special Valentine Dinner Box for Two. A delectable three course meal which can be prepared and cooked as part of a romantic night in. Enjoy West Coast scallops for starters, followed by slow braised shoulder of Perthshire Lamb and finishing with a delicious dessert duo of dark Belgian chocolate and amaretto mousse and Limoncello posset. Each box, which can be delivered in mainland Scotland, also contains a ‘Pink Lady’ cocktail to help you celebrate the most romantic night of the year.  

Delivery in mainland Scotland only. To order  www.easthaugh.co.uk/dineathome/  

Go for a virtual drink 

Scotland is world famous for its whisky while a growing number of craft and artisan distilleries has also boasted the country’s gin credentials. You may not be able to go out for a drink this Valentine’s but that doesn’t mean that you can’t still enjoy some of the finest Scottish tipples at home.  

The St Andrews distillery is spoiling couples this Valentine’s with a host of experiences. As well as a special Valentine’s hampers and gin gift sets, on the big day itself gin lovers can take part in a Valentine’s special virtual gin tasting experience sampling seven gins in the Love Gin range. Finally, for the ultimate treat, Eden Mill has teamed up with Glasgow restaurant Coia’s Café to create a special dining experiences and virtual gin tasting experience over Valentine’s weekend.   

Enjoy a cocktail from the comfort of your own home with Makar Gin’s Valentine’s Exclusive Cocktail kit. As the first gin ever to be distilled in Glasgow, Makar is a juniper-led, handcrafted small-batch Scottish gin which derives its name from the ancient Scots word for ‘poet’. The Valentine’s cocktail kit, which contains a full-sized bottle of Makar Cherry Gin, as well other ingredients, will help you get crafty in the kitchen as you concoct a cocktail or two for a romantic night in. 

While you may not be able to enjoy the stunning view you can normally expect from a visit to this distillery, the first legal distillery on the Isle of Raasay in northwest Scotland, couples can still enjoy its whisky. Made with water sources from a Celtic well deep beneath the distillery, this special Valentine whisky tasting involves the signature Isle of Raasay Single Malt, released in 2021 and will take you through the thinking behind the distillery’s unique six-part maturation. 

Sweets for your sweet 

Iain Burnett Highland Chocolatier award-winning chocolates are beautifully packaged and make the perfect romantic gifts for your Valentine. Based in Grandtully, Perthshire, the Highland Chocolatier is the home of Scotland’s most awarded chocolatier. Luckily you can still enjoy a range of unique, handmade chocolates from home before making a visit to this unique 4-star tourist attraction when travel is possible again.  

www.highlandchocolatier.com/valentine-s-gifts-cat-90  

Home to Ruth Hinks (UK World Chocolate Master) the multi-award-winning Cocoa Black chocolate boutique in Peebles, Scottish Borders offers a delicious selection of boxed chocolates in a fantastic array of flavours to treat the one you love. Why not add a class voucher so that, when travel allows, you and your significant other learn the essential skills required to make your own beautiful French patisserie and chocolate truffles?  

www.cocoablack.com/ 

Home of the ‘World’s First Tartan Chocolate’, if you are pining for Scotland then this is a nice reminder of what is waiting for you. The Moniaive Chocolatiers is based iin Thornhill in the heart of Dumfries and Galloway. With a delicious selection of chocolates available online, the innovative tartan collection offers something a little different to remember Scotland by.  

https://tartanchocolate.co.uk/  

See Scotland on a virtual date  

While travel may not be possible thanks to the wonders of technology you can still visit some of Scotland’s most romantic places without setting foot outside your front door. 

Often regarded as one of the country’s most romantic castles, as well as one of the most recognised, the stunning Eilean Donan Castle overlooks the Isle of Skye, at the point where three great sea-lochs meet, and is surrounded by the mountains of Kintail in the Scottish Highlands. Its new webcam lets you enjoy live views from the castle and is the perfect backdrop for a romantic Valentine dinner at home.   

www.eileandonancastle.com/webcam/  

Together with your Valentine, discover one of the UK finest art collections housed in the stunning backdrop of one of Aberdeen’s finest granite buildings together by taking a virtual tour.  Follow the love story of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert who were not only devoted to one another but also the region of Aberdeenshire.  

https://smartify.org/tours/discover-aberdeen-art-gallery 

Scotland’s islands are home to breathtaking beaches and awe-inspiring views, the perfect romantic getaway but until you can travel in person again, enjoy a glimpse of the beauty of Shetland thanks to this collection of webcams set around various spots on the island. The most northerly network of live webcams in the UK are in key viewing points throughout Shetland including views from Sumburgh Head, the edge of the Atlantic Ocean at Eshaness Lighthouse and the streets of Lerwick  

https://www.shetlandwebcams.com/  

Finally, there is nothing more romantic than a night under the stars and while it might not be possible to visit some of the country’s dark skies locations, VisitScotland has developed a Stargazing Guide to Scotland’s Skies – to help you start your stargazing journey at home, The 16-page downloadable guide containing everything you need to know to begin to explore the night sky, including a quiz, constellation facts, helpful how to videos and the best places to stargaze in Scotland when it is safe to do so.