Mackerel
Scomber scombrus
Cheap, sustainable when line-caught, and a brilliant introduction to oily fish cookery. Scottish line-caught mackerel in late summer is one of the best value food items in the country.
Seasonality
Buying
Shiny iridescent skin, firm body, clear eyes. They go off fast — buy and cook same day.
Storage
Same day only, on ice.
Cooking methods
At a glance
More species guides
Langoustine
Scotland’s most valuable seafood export — and, bafflingly, a product most Scots have never eaten. Also called Dublin Bay prawns, Norway lobster, or scampi in its cheapest incarnation. Fresh, whole langoustines landed on the west coast are one of the great seafood experiences in the world.
North Sea Cod
The backbone of Scottish fish and chips. North Sea cod has been through stock collapse and recovery cycles; look for MSC-certified Icelandic or Barents Sea if you’re unsure about provenance.
Scottish Salmon
Scotland’s most exported food product by value. Virtually all salmon you buy is farmed — wild Atlantic salmon is critically endangered and mostly reserved for catch-and-release sport fishing. Look for RSPCA Assured or organic labels for higher welfare.