12 Must-Try Places For The Best Hot Chocolate In Scotland

Written By: Gail Clifford | Published By: Foodie Flashpacker | April 05, 2022

https://www.foodieflashpacker.com/best-hot-chocolate-in-scotland/

Want to learn where you can find the best hot chocolate in Scotland? Then you’ve come to the right place!

Besides your birthday, there is one more date you should always remember. National Hot Chocolate Day, January 31^st.

For many people, like me, it will always be hot chocolate. So what a privilege it is to be able to go across a  whole country, trying sample after sample.

After my time in Belize at chocolate farms, I learned that the history of hot chocolate is a dark and rich one. Mayan civilizations “worshiped” xocolatl as early as 1500 B.C., a savory, spicy concoction made from crushed cocoa beans, chili peppers, and cornmeal. They’d pour the liquid between two different bowls to combine flavor profiles and provide healing powers. 

Spanish explorer Hernan Cortes is credited with presenting cocoa beans to the court of King Charles V in the 1500s. By the 1700s, they spread to the rest of Europe. But it wasn’t until 1828 when a Dutch chemist, Coenraad Johannes van Houten, created cocoa powder and modern-day hot chocolate.

My family visited Scotland for Hogmanay, their New Year’s Eve celebration. My great-grandfather was born in Edinburgh, so it was especially nice to walk the streets he must’ve walked before emigrating to the United States. I wish he could tell me if he had participated in the torchlight ceremony. It was moving, touching, profound, and maybe even fun, because of the cold. With plenty of places to stop for hot chocolate. 

Best Hot Chocolate In Scotland

One of my favorite childhood memories remains sipping hot chocolate on a cold winter’s night. So, one of our many tasks on this trip was to find the best hot chocolate in Scotland. It was so nice to have something we could enjoy several times a day. 

Are you a marshmallow or whipped cream person? Or both? Or perhaps, a purist who likes neither? In Scotland, you can find all the types.

NB: As with all things during the pandemic, check for periodic closures. Many of these establishments close in January for annual breaks following Hogmanay.

The 12 Best Hot Chocolate In Scotland

Castle Stalker View Café, Fort Appin

Portnacroish, Fort Appin

Located about 25 miles north of Oban, on Scotland’s west coast, Castle Stalker is said to have been built in the mid-1500s and gifted by James IV to Duncan Stewart for use as a hunting lodge. A four-story tower, it sits on a tidal islet on Loch Laich, so the hunter has to walk or row there—depending on the tide. 

Our guide knew this was the best place to stop for hot chocolate between Oban and Glen Coe. 

We learned during this trip that the most decadent tasting hot chocolate of them all included BOTH marshmallows AND whipped cream. They serve them here, often with multi-colored marshmallows. I don’t think I would’ve ever considered that in the past, but I admit it’s something I do now as a special treat.

Those of you who are Outlander fans will appreciate that this Castle was used as a garrison for troops during the 1745 Jacobite Rising.

Cameron House

A82, Loch Lomond, Alexandria 

Our favorite lodging during our trip, Cameron House, has recently re-opened after an extensive renovation. Located on 24-mile-long freshwater Loch Lomond, it’s known far and wide for great activities, experiences, and food.

Their hot chocolate can be enjoyed in the restaurant, Great Scots Bar, Tavern, Lobby Bar, Boat House Bar, spa, or in your luxurious 5-star room or suite. For the best of all worlds, enjoy them in each space. If you’re interested in adding a little alcohol to your hot chocolate, all of the bartenders we met were happy to oblige.

If you’re touring Inverness, Oban, Fort William, and Fort Appin, it’s a good idea to stay at this location and then to move each day with the less comfortable lodgings available on our tour in this part of the country. I can hardly wait to go back.

The Inverary Inn

Front St E, Inverary 

We stopped at the Inverary Inn, est. 1755, for scones, but they were already sold out for the day, so we stayed for lunch. The Lounge Bar provides an elegant library atmosphere while the Conservatory is light and airy with breathtaking views of Loch Fyne. The Dining Room and The Argyll Bar also provide excellent locales for enjoying their hot chocolate. 

There you can find a lot of folk having lunch, tea or beer. Many of them are travelers, as well. The Inverary Inn had the best fish and chips I had the whole trip. Fresh peas, crisp fries with actual Heinz ketchup and a really light whitefish accompanied the protein. Their prawn dish is served with plain rather than toasted bread and they mix it in Mayo with crawfish. 

The dense ambrosia hot chocolate was so good but, to quote the barkeeper, “have water standing by to clean the chute” when it’s done. 

Oban Chocolate Company

34 Corran Esplanade, Oban

When in Oban, one must try Norie’s fish and chips, considered by many to be the best in the country. 

But for hot chocolate, I’d return to the Oban Chocolate Company. Run by a couple native to Oban who traveled to Perth, Australia, before they were inspired to open this multi-award-winning café and chocolate shoppe, their venue is perfect for viewing the Oban Bay. 

The instant you step in the door, the relaxing aroma of chocolate infuses your body. The bustle of the chocolatiers in the factory heightens your joy and you may be able to resist getting your hot chocolate in favor of shopping first, but I recommend getting your drink and then indulging in your chocolate search.

I think their café offers the most options of any place we visited. Your hot chocolate can be flavored with cinnamon, caramel or chili if you like the extra spicy kick. Served with whipped cream, they offer dark, milk, and white-hot chocolates. I stuck with the milk chocolate with cream, and the silky smoothness was perfect for a cold afternoon.  

And for you foodies, their menu contains something for everyone: dairy-free, gluten-free and vegan options.

Afterward, of course, don’t miss your chocolate shopping. You’ll want some for the time you’re touring Scotland and some to take home—for yourself and as gifts (if you’re feeling generous and have self-control). 

Hotel Chocolat

7A Frederick Street, Edinburgh

Whether you’re in town for the whole week or just for the weekend, you should plan to stop at Hotel Chocolat at least once. Don’t be surprised if you stop in over and over again. Their option varieties allow for repeat visits. But, one of the most unique things about their hot chocolate are the chocolate shavings in each drink.

You can go around the world within this one shop. I started in Spain and my daughter in France. The easiest way to describe the “Spanish” hot chocolate is like an espresso compared to a cappuccino. Their hot chocolate served in a half cup, has a deep cocoa flavor with a silky texture. They tell me the thickness is due to cornstarch. Be sure to keep a glass of water or something to dunk, nearby. 

The “French” hot chocolate tasted like a rich chocolate caramel. They share a trait, and that’s the addition of brown sugar and vanilla. It makes perfect sense, especially when you learn they use grated flakes of chocolate to maintain the intense flavor. 

Iain Burnett, The Highland Chocolatier

Grandtully between Aberfeldy and Pitlochry, Perthshire

One of the things I love most about experiencing all these great locations is the variety. Master Chocolatier Iain Burnett purposely chose this spot in Scotland for access to the best and finest ingredients. All of his chocolates are suitable for vegetarians and are made only with natural, fresh ingredients. He selected the island of São Tomé in the South Atlantic Ocean from which to source his cocoa. 

To create his award-winning truffles and other products, he mixes this rare cocoa with exotic spices, fresh Scottish cream and, sometimes, crushed fruits.

The shop is filled with hot chocolate and hot chocolate accessories, like dark, dark with orange, dark with mint, milk, milk with sea salted caramel and white chocolate hot chocolate stirrers. If you love their hot chocolate as much as we do, don’t be surprised if a few tins of their dark hot chocolate flakes make their way into your luggage. Not to worry, you can also order them and have them shipped directly to your home or those of your friends and family. That way, you can allow their chocolate fantasies to come true, as well.