About EatScotland
EatScotland is a quality assurance “where to eat” scheme from VisitScotland and a website promoting all positive aspects of food and drink in Scotland. SFQC have been contracted by VisitScotland to deliver this initiative.
EatScotland has two main objectives. Firstly it helps the residents and visitors to Scotland find great places to eat, not just the well-established places but also the many unsung and sometimes relatively undiscovered places within Scotland that are providing good food, but who may not have managed to get into the glossy printed guides.
The second aim is to raise the profile of Scottish food as an important part of tourism, giving credit to those who are achieving high standards and encouraging others to aspire to that standard. Good examples in the industry, no matter what type of business, will be acknowledged for their achievements.
The Scheme itself is not intended to enforce a straightjacket of formal upmarket standards or particular style on participating establishments. Research into the formation of the scheme found that consumers wanted a wide-ranging guide, incorporating a clear indication of ‘standard bearers’ in the industry – that is, businesses offering excellence and quality within their sector of the market.
“Mystery Customer” type assessments take into account the standards and expectations appropriate to the type of eating establishment. The standard covers quality, service, and hygiene. Using a team of experienced assessors, SFQC carries out assessments of participating businesses and operates a simple pass or fail system allied to constructive feedback should the applicant not be initially successful.
From a diner’s point of view, the scheme will help ensure that high standards are the norm, from takeaways and tearooms to restaurants, coffee houses to fish and chip shops.
Benefits to participants include the opportunity to participate in VisitScotland marketing or promotional publications. There may well also be special “one off” promotions available.
Once accepted into the scheme, the participant receives a Scheme window sticker plus certificate. A Scheme logo is also provided for use promotions activity. All approved participants are featured on the EatScotland .
More Information?
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How to Join
To recieve any of the information below:
- Please phone the office on 0131 335 6608;
- Email the scheme manager at EatScotland@sfqc.co.uk;
- Download the appropriate documents here or by clicking scheme downloads on the left hand side of this page.
Options Available
(all fees are valid to end September 2007)
Option 1: Registration Only
Registration offers:
- A basic listing on the eatscotland website but with no further promotion
- Access to discounted advice on food quality and service
- Access to ongoing information about the Scheme and supporting packages
Registration fee £50.00 + VAT = £58.75 per outlet per annum
Option 2: Registration and Scheme Participation:
A scheme assessor will visit your business anonymously and a full report of the assessment will be sent to you. Scheme participation benefits include:
- Full entry and promotion as part of EatScotland on the website if scheme entry-level criteria are met (found here) at assessment.
- The opportunity to participate in other VisitScotland marketing or special promotions.
- Scheme window sticker and certificate
- A logo which you can use in your promotional material
Scheme Participation Fees
Category 1 :
Eat/drink out (sandwich shops and takeaways without seats or with limited seating, coffee shops/tearooms, B/B offering Breakfast only)
£50.00 registration plus £75.00 scheme participation =
£125.00 + VAT = £146.88 per outlet per annum
Category 2 :
eat/drink in (any place with customer seating other than those listed in Category 1 plus B/B offering Breakfast and evening meals).
£50.00 Registration plus £145.00 Scheme Participation =
£195.00 + VAT = £229.13 per outlet per annum
You will be eligible for a 20% discount on the above fees if:
- the outlet you are signing up is already a participant of another VisitScotland scheme, such as their accommodation scheme (please note that checks will be made before this discount is applied).
- If more than one outlet is signed up at time of application – in this case the discount is available for each outlet signed up.
Large groups or chains should contact EatScotland to discuss other discount opportunities.
How to Join | Downloads
Prospective and Current Members:
Please note that Adobe Reader will be needed to view and print these documents which can be downloaded .