Cheese and charcuterie, in a proper Scottish deli. At Errichel in Aberfeldy, you get a guided 50-minute tasting of five artisan cheeses or five Scottish charcuterie items, with Chef Paul Newman’s chutneys and a take-home map of Scotland. It is a simple idea, but it works, because someone walks you through what you are tasting instead of just putting food in front of you.

I love the way this experience turns into real understanding fast, especially because the staff brings out the pairing logic. I also love that the session is built for repeat at home, with a flavour wheel plus tasting guidelines you can actually use later. One catch to plan for: you book either the 2:15 pm cheese tasting or the 2:45 pm charcuterie tasting, and they cannot accommodate changes on the day.

Key highlights worth planning around

• Choose your exact session time, cheese at 2:15 pm or charcuterie at 2:45 pm, because switching is not possible
• Small groups, up to 8, so questions and pacing feel human
• Five Scottish tastings per platter, each guided with accompaniments and chutney
• Take-home map of Scotland and tasting tools, so you leave with more than full plates
• Upgrade options for pairing with alcohol, if you want beer with charcuterie or wine with cheese

Errichel at Aberfeldy, and why the tasting feels personal

This tasting is based at Thyme Delicatessen at Errichel in Aberfeldy (PH15 2EL). The vibe is part food counter, part cozy learning session. You get a mobile ticket, you show up, and you settle in with a small group, max 8 travelers. That small size matters more than you might think. It keeps the pace un-rushed and lets the host explain without talking over everyone.

You do not need to know anything about Scottish cheese or charcuterie to enjoy this. The format is built around guidance: you are introduced to each tasting item and told what makes it special. The location also helps. Even when the weather is dull, you are not stuck in a cold room. You are in a real food place, where you can keep the momentum going after the tasting.

If you are planning a bigger Errichel day, some people pair the tasting with other on-site activities there. One common rhythm is doing something earlier in the day, then finishing with the tasting as the food highlight. If that is your plan, the 50-minute timing is a nice fit because it does not swallow your afternoon.

Two time slots, one choice: Cheese at 2:15 pm or Charcuterie at 2:45 pm

This is the most important practical point. You are booking either Scottish Cheese at 2:15 pm or Scottish Charcuterie at 2:45 pm. The operator clearly states they cannot accommodate changes on the day, so do not treat it like a flexible “pick later” situation.

If you are traveling with a mixed group, there is a workaround: if some people want cheese and others want charcuterie, you can contact them directly to arrange this. That is worth doing early, because it keeps everyone happy and avoids last-minute stress.

Duration is about 50 minutes. That is long enough to taste five things properly and learn the pairing logic, but short enough that you can still go explore Aberfeldy afterward. If you are expecting a long, sit-down meal service, adjust your mindset. Think “focused tasting and education,” not “extended dinner.”

Your platter of five, plus chutneys that do the heavy lifting

Whether you pick cheese or charcuterie, you get a guided platter built around five artisan items.

If you choose the Scottish Cheese tasting

You receive a tasting platter of 5 Scottish cheeses, featuring more than one local cheese. You also get accompaniments and Chef Paul Newman’s home-made chutneys. Each cheese comes with a guided intro so you understand what you are tasting, not just that it is tasty.

If you choose the Scottish Charcuterie tasting

You receive a tasting platter of 5 Scottish charcuterie items, also with accompaniments plus Chef Paul Newman’s home-made chutneys.

Either way, the tastings are supported by tools. You get tasting guidelines and a flavour wheel, and you keep a map of Scotland (cheese map or charcuterie map) as a takeaway souvenir.

One practical perk: because the session is structured around five specific tastings, you are less likely to feel overwhelmed. You get a sequence, a reason for each bite, and time to reset between items. That makes the experience feel more like a mini masterclass than a snack run.

Learning Scottish pairings you can use at home

The best part of this tasting is the pairing education. People who enjoy food tend to get the most out of this, because the host explains what makes pairings work, not just which pairing to try.

In real sessions, I see repeat praise for the host’s ability to walk through each item clearly. Names that come up: Becky (as a host with strong explanations) and Chef Paul Newman (connected to the chutneys). That matters for you because it signals the heart of the experience. The guiding is the product, not just the platter.

You will also get suggestions for other cheeses or items you might like to try. One person called out favorites such as Strathearn and Kintyre Smoked. Even if your exact selection differs by day, that tells you the host does more than read off a list. They steer you toward flavor styles you can chase later.

The flavour wheel and tasting guidelines help you keep your own notes. That is a big deal if you are the type who wants to recreate this at home. You leave with a way to remember patterns like creamy versus sharp, smoky versus fresh, or sweet fruit notes versus salty savory hits.

What you take home: the map, the flavour wheel, and real souvenir value

A lot of tastings stop at the plate. This one gives you something tangible after you finish.

You get:

• A cheese map of Scotland or charcuterie map of Scotland to take away
• Tasting guidelines plus a flavour wheel
• The structure to understand your own preferences, so next time you shop, you are not starting from zero

This is where the value stacks up. The $39.78 price is not just buying five bites. It is buying guided learning, plus the tools to keep learning after you leave. If you enjoy hosting friends back home, the take-home materials make it easier to build a proper tasting board instead of a random cheese spread.

Also, because the tasting happens at a deli setting, you have the option to buy items afterwards to recreate your favorites. More than one person praised being able to purchase items in the shop after their tasting. That turns the session into a practical shopping trip, not just a one-and-done experience.

Alcohol upgrades if you want pairing to go further

Alcohol is not included in the base experience. But the operator offers upgraded versions for a supplement:

• A beer tasting with the charcuterie
• A wine tasting with the cheese

If you love pairing beer or wine with food, these add-ons can make sense because they extend the same pairing logic beyond chutney and accompaniments. If you do not drink, you will still get the full guided tasting without alcohol. This is an either-or decision, not a forced upsell.

Where it fits with a food day in Perthshire

Aberfeldy is a good home base for exploring Perthshire. This tasting works well as either:

• A mid-afternoon focus when you want something indoor and warm
• An early-evening treat if you are already out exploring and want a planned stop

It also fits nicely with other on-site experiences at Errichel. For example, some people do a farm tour earlier in the day and then come back later for the cheese or charcuterie tasting. That farm-to-food timing makes sense. You get the story of the place, then you get to taste the result.

If you are traveling with kids, one review described a family-friendly morning farm tour with a host named Rebecca who took her time and let a child feed animals like sheep and pigs. If your plan includes that kind of add-on, schedule the tasting when everyone will still have energy for tasting and listening. The tasting itself is short, but it does require attention.

Price and value: what $39.78 buys you in real terms

At $39.78 per person, this is not a budget “snack and leave” stop. But it is also not priced like a fancy restaurant meal. You are paying for a specific package:

• Five guided tastings (cheese or charcuterie)
• Chutney and accompaniments, including Chef Paul Newman’s home-made chutneys
• Tasting guidelines and a flavour wheel
• A take-home map of Scotland
• A guide-led session with a maximum of 8 travelers

If you like food education, the take-home materials alone add real value. You are leaving with tools that help you remember and recreate. And if you end up buying items at the deli after your tasting, you turn the experience into a practical shopping outcome.

Where the price might feel less worth it is if you only want casual grazing and do not care about learning. This experience is about guidance and pairing, not just quantity.

Who should book this cheese or charcuterie tasting?

Book it if you:

• Like guided food experiences, especially when pairing makes sense
• Want to learn what you prefer, using tools like the flavour wheel
• Are visiting Aberfeldy and want a short, satisfying indoor plan
• Enjoy the idea of taking home a map and recreating your own board later

Skip it or reconsider if you:

• Are expecting a full meal experience rather than a tasting session
• Need last-minute flexibility between cheese and charcuterie, because the operator says they cannot swap on the day

Language is English, and the experience is designed for small groups, up to 8. So if you want a quieter, more personal food stop, this setup is a strong match.

Should you book it? My take for most visitors

I think this is a smart book for almost anyone who likes Scottish food, even if you are a beginner. The reason is simple: you get five tastings, you get pairing guidance, and you leave with tools plus a map. That turns the money into a memory you can use, not just a momentary sugar rush of flavor.

The only major decision point is the time. Choose 2:15 pm cheese or 2:45 pm charcuterie ahead of time and stick to it. If you do that, you will likely walk out happy, full, and with a clearer idea of what to buy next time you see Scottish cheese or charcuterie in a shop.

FAQ

What time does the cheese tasting start?

The Scottish Cheese tasting runs at 2:15 pm.

What time does the charcuterie tasting start?

The Scottish Charcuterie tasting runs at 2:45 pm.

How long does the tasting take?

The tasting lasts about 50 minutes.

What is included in the tasting?

You get a tasting platter of 5 Scottish cheeses or 5 Scottish charcuterie items, with chutney and other accompaniments. You also receive a take-home map of Scotland (cheese or charcuterie), plus tasting guidelines and a flavour wheel.

Is alcohol included?

Alcoholic beverages are not included in the base experience. Upgraded versions are available for a supplement.

Are there upgrades with beer or wine?

Yes. You can book upgraded versions that include a beer tasting with the charcuterie or a wine tasting with the cheese.

What is the group size limit?

The experience has a maximum of 8 travelers.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience start time.

Where does the experience start?

It starts at Thyme Delicatessen Errichel, Aberfeldy PH15 2EL, UK.