“This was a considerable sum in the late 18th century and was way beyond the means of ordinary workers,” said curator Olive Geddes, who put the exhibition together. In the 18th century it was clearly a novelty for the elite.


The curry advert is just one of many fascinating discoveries in the exhibition which tells the story of the country’s changing relationship with food and drink over the past 400 years.


Liſting the lid: 400 years of food and drink in Scotland is being staged during Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink. It will help visitors understand more about how their ancestors lived and how their diet links to what we eat today.


The main ingredients for the


Te main ingredients for the exhibition come from the wonderful collection of recipe books, dating from the 17th century to the 1940s, that are held at the National Library.


exhibition come from the wonderful collection of recipe books, dating from the 17th century to the 1940s, that are held at the National Library. These were mostly writen by ladies in wealthy families as memory aids, recording favourite dishes and new culinary experiences, rather than the everyday meals that would be served. They are supported by other information in published recipe books, household accounts and inventories, tradesmen’s bills, menus, visitors’ journals, maps and amateur and government films about food.


Scots have oſten been branded the “sick man of Europe,” and the nation’s eating habits condemned. Yet, before the Industrial Age, the rural poor were said to be remarkably healthy on a simple, frugal and wholesome diet — despite the limited availability of food.


Visitors to the exhibition will be able to see what is thought to be Scotland’s first ever recipe book — John Reid’s The Scots Gard’ner — which was published in 1683. Although principally a book for food growers, it also includes tips for cooks on preparing meals.


The exhibition tells of old Scotish measures such


88


July 2015


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100