Scottish summer barbecues with Tennent’s

Whether you’re cooking up a storm, or through one, our summer barbecue guide has you covered.  

It’s almost barbecue season in Scotland! Yes really. Aye, we can see the grey clouds outside as well, but trust us when we say summer is (at least technically) coming. 

So how do you do a barbecue Tennent’s style? Well the short answer is barbecuing with good company, good spirits, good food, and a cold pint of T in hand. 

A can-do attitude is also a must, because sure it might be grey and threatening to rain, it’s best to Brave the Summer and have a good time than hold off a week to have your rain-checked barbie snow-checked by a mid-summer hail storm (only in Scotland, eh?). 

There’s your short answer, but if you’re after a long answer that covers some specific questions about a summer BBQ, stick around and read on. 

The where, the when, and the how: summer BBQ ideas 

Home or away? 

The first part of the barbecue planning process is sussing where it’s going to be, there’s more that you can do at home (like pair your food with an ice cold pint of Tennent’s!) but there’s also plenty of brilliant spots across the country that will make for a great day out. 

So, with that, let’s measure up home and away. 

The garden summer barbecue 

If you have a grill in the garden, it’d be daft not to use it. 

Pals over, tunes on, good times, and maybe an umbrella kept to hand in case Scotland’s weather decides to do its thing. 

The garden party summer barbecue is a classic for a reason, so if you have the space and the cooking equipment, it’s a no-brainer. 

The barbecue day trip combo 

If you’re planning on getting a disposable barbecue and making a day of it, it’s worth considering where you’ll be day-tripping to. 

Here are a few suggestions covering the width and breadth of Scotland to help you plan things out: 

• Glasgow: While the Green and the Botanic Gardens are lovely locations, they aren’t quite right for a proper barbecue. You need space, and a good spot that has space in spades is Kelvingrove Park. 

• Edinburgh: Portobello beach is a popular BBQ spot in Edinburgh for good reason. If you’re planning to do Portobello, keep in mind that you can use a disposable barbecue, but only between 6pm and 10:30pm 

• The Borders: Hay Lodge Park in Peebles is along the River Tweed and has open areas and riverside spots ideal for a get-together. You’re welcome to bring a barbecue as long as you are safe with it and keep it raised off the ground. 

• Highlands: Try out the Loch Duich Viewpoints near Skye, along the A87 at the east end of Loch Duich – it’s a cracking spot. Keep in mind where you’re lighting it up though, as the council prohibits using barbecues where they may damage grass or park furniture. 

And be sure to check out nearby beer gardens where you’ll be able to warm your spirits after the sun goes down… or to avoid an unexpected shower! 

And remember, there are loads of spots across Scotland that are great for a barbecue because folks take care of the local environment, so while you most definitely should leave some great memories behind, Leave No Trace. 

Tennent’s lager food pairing: summer BBQ food ideas 

If you’ve gone for the garden and plan to pair your food with an ice-cold T, here are some of our pairing picks. 

• A can of Tennent’s with a classic burger, because you can’t go wrong with the classics, can you? 

• Tennent’s IPA and a big steak: the kick that you get out of our punchy beer matches up well with a steak done just how you like it. 

• Tennent’s Light will pair well with something that has a bit of a nip to it, like a spicy hot dog or a chicken burger with a generous dollop of hot sauce. 

• Gluten Free T and some ribs, keeping it simple with no bread and some perfectly cooked ribs (lovely!) 

• Tennent’s Zero will go well with the barbecue fan favourite; the hot dog. Mouth-watering corn on the cobs is also a great choice! 

 And all of our lagers are vegan, so if you’ve rocked up with some tofu skewers there’s still a bottle of T waiting for you! 

Taps aff or coats oan: summer bbq outfit ideas

An age-old question in Scotland – but one you have to ask yourself because rain or shine Scots will be Braving The Summer (we have since 1885!) – it’s just a case of making sure you have the right kit for it. 

Shorts? Poncho? It’s hard to tell. A good way about it is keeping an umbrella (maybe even our umbrella) in your bag. 

Now as far as outfits go, there are hardly any rules as to what you should and shouldn’t wear; there’s not a barbecue uniform. Well, that is except for one person: the master of the grill. 

And for the pal carrying out that crucial job, we’d recommend the showstopper that is our Tennent’s chef’s apron. 

For bringing along the munchies, and that one pal who has decided to just bring ‘the vibe’ (cheers mate…) we’d recommend wearing something light and airy.  

Something like the Tennent’s Pint Glass tee in white, since it’ll reflect away the sun more than a black or grey shirt – remember we only get a few days of sun, so you don’t want to spend one of them recovering from sunburn! 

And don’t forget goodies to keep the fun alive like some playing cards, and somewhere to store them alongside your keys and phone and whatnot… somewhere like a premium Tennent’s Bum Bag. 

Have a good one!

Whether it’s a backdoor barbecue, or you’re rounding up the troops for a day out, your pals will give you 5 stars when they get a taste of Tennent’s. Every event is complete with some of Tennent’s beer.

And don’t forget goodies to keep the fun alive like some playing cards, and somewhere to store them alongside your keys and phone and whatnot… somewhere like a premium Tennent’s Bum Bag.