Independent · Consumer-first · Scottish
food

Taste of Grampian

The north-east's flagship food event, drawing 15,000+ visitors and over 100 food and drink exhibitors. Strong on Aberdeenshire beef, Moray seafood, Speyside whisky, and local baking. Cookery demonstrations run throughout the day. Less overwhelming than the Royal Highland Show and more focused on food and drink rather than agriculture. Good for families — free entry for under-12s.

Region guide
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Full Aberdeenshire food & drink guide — distilleries, restaurants, where to stay, when to go.

Dates
6 June 2026
Usually first Saturday in June.
Location
Thainstone Centre, Inverurie
Aberdeenshire
Tickets
£10–£15
Tickets available on the door but discounted online tickets save £2-3 — book a week ahead.
Our verdict

Taste of Grampian is the northeast's biggest one-day food festival, held annually at Thainstone Centre near Inverurie. Strong Aberdeenshire and Buchan focus — Buchan beef, Speyside cheese, Aberdeenshire smoked fish, and the food and drink hall is genuinely deep. Smaller than the Royal Highland Show but cheaper, single-day, and far less of an undertaking.

Size
Medium-large — 200+ stalls plus demonstrations
~25,000 visitors
Weather & logistics

Mostly outdoor — bring a waterproof. Indoor halls available.

Programme highlights

EventWhenNotes
Cooking theatreAll dayNortheast chefs demonstrating with local produce.
Food and drink hallAll dayThe buying highlight. 200+ northeast producers.
Live musicAll dayLocal bands throughout the day.

Tickets & pricing

Adult entry
£8

Day entry to Taste of Grampian

Children under 16
Free

Free

Visitor tips

  1. Buy tickets online — saves £2-3 on the door price
  2. Arrive by 11am for the best samples — afternoon stalls thin out
  3. Aberdeenshire and Speyside producers everywhere — bring a cool bag for buying
  4. Combine with a stop at Inverurie itself or Castle Fraser for a Saturday day out
  5. Free children's entry makes this a great family day

Getting there

Drive from aberdeen
30 minutes
15 miles
A96 west to Inverurie
Drive from inverness
2 hours
90 miles
A96 east
Public transport
Train to Inverurie then short taxi. Aberdeen city buses do not reach the venue.
Parking
Free at Thainstone Centre showground.

Where to stay

Aberdeen city hotels
Hotels
30 min drive
From £90/night

Aberdeen has more options than Inverurie.

Inverurie hotels
Hotels
5 min drive
From £110/night

Closer to the venue.

Where to stay near Taste of Grampian

Hotels, B&Bs, and self-catering within easy reach of Taste of Grampian.

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Self-catering · longer stays · rural cottages

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Where to eat nearby

  • Strachan's of Royal Deeside
    Café
    20 min drive

    Royal Deeside café and farm shop.

  • Aberdeenshire Larder (Inverurie)
    Café & deli
    5 min drive

    Local-produce café.

Honest take

A proper one-day food festival without the chaos of a multi-day event. Drive in, eat your way around, drive home. £8 entry is honest pricing — and the food and drink producers are the same Aberdeenshire artisans you'll find at Aberdeen Country Fair, just all in one place.

Frequently asked questions

+When is Taste of Grampian?

First Saturday in June. 2026: 6 June. One-day festival at Thainstone Centre, Inverurie.

+How do I get there?

Driving from Aberdeen takes 30 min via A96. Train to Inverurie then short taxi.

+How much does it cost?

Adult £8 (online discount), children under 16 free. Food and produce extra.

+How big is it?

200+ stalls. Medium-large — smaller than Royal Highland Show but bigger than the city food festivals.

+Is it family-friendly?

Yes — children under 16 free. Family demos and entertainment throughout the day.

Compare with other festivals

City of Edinburgh
Royal Highland Show
Scotland's biggest agricultural show and its biggest food event. Over 200,000 visitors across four days. The food hall alone is worth the ticket — hundreds of Scottish producers selling cheese, charcuterie, whisky, gin, beer, baking, and preserves. Also features livestock judging, forestry demonstrations, and a countryside area. Arrive early on Saturday — parking fills by 10am. Book tickets online for £5–8 less than door price.
City of Edinburgh
Edinburgh Food Festival
The best free food festival in Scotland. Compact, city-centre, and strong on Scottish producers — cheese, charcuterie, baking, street food, and a good drinks selection. Runs for 4–5 days in George Square Gardens during Edinburgh's festival season. Less hectic than the Royal Highland Show, more accessible than rural festivals. Go on a weekday for a less crowded experience. No booking required.
Fife
Crail Food Festival
A charming coastal village takeover by East Neuk producers. Famous for its lobster lunches and Fife fruit and veg.

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