What's in Season This August?
August is one of the most abundant months in the Scottish food calendar. Gardens are overflowing with vegetables, hedgerows are bursting with berries, and our coastal waters continue to provide some of the finest seafood in the world. It is a month that perfectly captures the generosity of Scotland's natural larder.
Whether you're filling baskets with raspberries from a local farm, grilling freshly landed mackerel on the barbecue, or preserving the season's bounty for the colder months ahead, August is all about making the most of fresh, local produce.
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As summer begins to gently give way to early autumn, woodland walks offer the chance to forage for blaeberries, wild mushrooms and blackberries, while kitchen gardens reward us with courgettes, tomatoes, beans and sweetcorn in abundance.
Fruit
August is berry season at its very best. Soft fruit is sweet, plentiful and perfect for desserts, jams, baking and freezing. •Blackberries •Blackcurrants •Blaeberries (Bilberries) •Blueberries •Cherries (late varieties) •Damsons •Figs •Gooseberries •Greengages •Loganberries •Plums •Raspberries •Redcurrants •Strawberries •Tayberries Perfect for •Summer puddings •Crumbles and cobblers •Homemade jams and preserves •Ice cream and sorbet •Fruit tarts •Smoothies •Freezing for winter
Scottish Meat
Late summer is also a wonderful time to enjoy quality Scottish meat. •Scotch Beef •Scotch Lamb (new season) •Outdoor-reared Pork •Venison (red deer stag season begins in August) Perfect for •Barbecues •Slow cooking •Sunday roasts •Burgers •Outdoor entertaining
Vegetables
Kitchen gardens and local growers are producing an incredible variety of fresh vegetables during August. •Beetroot •Broccoli (Calabrese & summer sprouting) •Broad beans •Cabbage (summer) •Carrots (new season) •Celery •Courgettes •Cucumbers •Fennel •French beans •Runner beans •Leeks (baby) •Lettuce and salad leaves •Mangetout •Peas •Peppers •Potatoes (new and first maincrop) •Radishes •Spinach •Summer squash •Sweetcorn •Swiss chard •Tomatoes •Watercress Perfect for •Colourful salads •Roasting and grilling •Vegetable tarts •Summer soups •Stir-fries •Batch cooking •Pickling and preserving
Fresh Herbs
Fresh herbs are thriving in August and bring brightness and flavour to every meal. •Basil •Bay •Chives •Coriander •Dill •Fennel •Marjoram •Mint •Oregano •Parsley •Rosemary •Sage •Tarragon •Thyme Perfect for •Herb butters •Dressings and vinaigrettes •Pesto •Marinades •Flavoured oils •Fresh sauces
Fish & Shellfish
August is an excellent month for enjoying Scotland's exceptional seafood. Oban's seafood shacks are packed with happy customers enjoying the wonderful freshly landed seafood. •Crab •Clams •Cockles •Langoustines •Lemon sole •Lobster •Mackerel •Mussels •Plaice •Scallops •Squid •Whiting Perfect for •Barbecues •Seafood platters •Fish pies •Pasta dishes •Fresh summer salads •Simple suppers with herb butter
Foraging in August
August is a wonderful month for responsible foraging, with woodlands, hedgerows and coastlines providing a wealth of seasonal ingredients. •Blaeberries (Bilberries) •Blackberries •Crab apples •Elderberries (late August) •Rosehips (towards the end of the month) •Rock samphire •Marsh samphire •Wild damsons •Wild cherries •Wild mushrooms including: oChanterelles oPenny buns (Cep/Porcini) oPuffballs oField mushrooms oHedgehog mushrooms (later in the month) Please forage responsibly. Only pick plants and fungi that you can identify with complete confidence, take only what you need, and leave plenty for wildlife and future growth.
A thriving summer kitchen garden filled with fresh herbs, fruit and vegetables. Raised beds make the most of the growing season, providing an abundance of ingredients to inspire simple, seasonal cooking and celebrating the pleasure of growing, harvesting and cooking food at its freshest.
A jar of rich homemade blackberry jam, capturing one of late summer’s loveliest wild harvests. August brings brambles laden with juicy blackberries across Scotland, perfect for gathering on a country walk and turning into jams, jellies, crumbles and puddings to enjoy long after the season has passed.
Cooking is always better when it’s shared. A hands-on cookery session bringing people together around the kitchen table to learn new skills, work with fresh seasonal ingredients and enjoy the simple pleasure of making food from scratch.
A thriving summer kitchen garden filled with fresh herbs, fruit and vegetables. Raised beds make the most of the growing season, providing an abundance of ingredients to inspire simple, seasonal cooking and celebrating the pleasure of growing, harvesting and cooking food at its freshest.
Cook with the Seasons
August is the perfect month to embrace relaxed outdoor dining and make the most of Scotland's wonderful produce.
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Our favourite ways to enjoy August produce include:
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Grilled mackerel with herb butter
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Tomato and basil salads
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Courgette fritters
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Raspberry and strawberry desserts
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Homemade berry jams
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Barbecued Scotch beef and lamb
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Fresh seafood platters
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Courgette cakes and loaves
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Pickled beetroot and cucumbers
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Batch cooking with tomatoes and peppers
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Homemade herb pesto
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Freezer-friendly family meals
Why Eat Seasonally?
​Eating with the seasons means fresher flavours, better value and supporting local farmers, growers and fishermen. Seasonal produce is often harvested at its peak, travels fewer food miles and offers the very best taste and nutritional value.
At Meg's Scottish Kitchen, celebrating Scotland's changing seasons is at the heart of everything we cook. From comforting Heat & Eat meals to seasonal recipes and cookery classes, we're passionate about making the most of the incredible ingredients available right here on our doorstep.
Looking for inspiration?
Browse our latest seasonal recipes and discover delicious ways to cook with August's finest Scottish ingredients.
