SCOTLAND has a fantastic menu of food and drink adventures lined up to entice Northern Ireland culinary enthusiasts across the Irish Sea this autumn.

As the country celebrates Homecoming this year, there is no better time to enjoy local produce. If you are visiting Scotland in September, Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight (6th – 21st September) cannot be missed.

Over 16 days visitors can enjoy the very best Scottish produce in local markets across the country and also attend unique affiliated events such as the World Jampionships in Dundee and the Pop Up Bollywood Nights Banquet in Edinburgh.

Taste of Loch Fyne is another unique event, running from 17th January up to 3rd October 2014, which combines great food with a twist of adventure.

Visitors are invited to participate in oyster farming, with local experts training them to open and cook these delicacies. Though if you fancy a more traditional fish experience, you can always visit the renowned Anstruther Fish Bar, which was recently given the VisitScotland Taste Our Best seal of approval!

If you’re keen for a helping of local history, make a stop at the City of Elgin Food & Drink Festival (20th September) which will have more than 70 exhibitors this year offering ‘Tasty Tours’ – short guided tours mixing food and drink themes with wonderful local heritage including a visit to Gordon & MacPhail.

Living Food will be taking place at Cawdor Castle (20th September) and will have additional stalls to showcase the Slow Food ‘Ark of Taste’ products from Scotland.

The Ark of Taste, which started in 1996, is a catalogue of traditional food products from all over the world that are in danger of disappearing.

There are 10 unique and very traditional Scottish products on the list and including Musselburgh leeks, Shetland Cabbage, Shetland Black potatoes, North Ronaldsay and Shetland lamb, Shetland beef and traditional food processes.

A trip to Scotland wouldn’t be complete without a taste of its national drink. Talisker Distillery is deemed one of the best whisky distilleries in the country and is based on the Isle of Skye, welcoming visitors all year round. Their sweet, full bodied malt is totally unique and will be guaranteed to warm you up as the nights get colder.

These unique food experiences are only a short flight away – Northern Ireland air routes cover various cities including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Prestwick, Inverness and Aberdeen from local airports – George Best Belfast City Airport, Belfast International Airport and City of Derry Airport. Additional easy access routes from Northern Ireland to Scotland include short ferry trips from Belfast to Cairnryan and Larne to Troon and Cairnryan.