Model Kourtnee Monroe moved from New York City to Scotland and has revealed a number of our classic foods which caught her off guard. Some of them you can probably guess. Others are a bit more unusual
Ian Craig Social Newsdesk Content Editor
14:41, 11 Apr 2026
The Scottish breakfast is legendary (stock image)(Image: Daily Record)
Scotland has so much to offer, from breathtaking landscapes and our enduring sense of style, to rich history embedded in every rock, brick, and stone. And then, of course, there’s the food and drink.
We all know Scottish cuisine ranks among the world’s finest, but it’s perfectly understandable if visitors might be caught a bit off guard by some of our favourites. One American woman who relocated here from New York City has highlighted several classic Scottish delicacies which she said “genuinely confused” her upon first arrival.
Model Kourtnee Monroe regularly posts updates about her new life with her 22,000-plus followers on Instagram. She identified a range of foods which left her bewildered when she first encountered them.
Number one is a classic, and one which often catches foreigners off-guard: haggis. Kourtnee wrote: “They told what was in it AFTER I tried it. I’m not the same person any more. But it tastes so good.”
She noted that haggis cannot be legally imported to the USA, meaning anyone wanting to sample an authentic version has no option but to make the trip themselves. This is because traditional haggis is made with sheep’s lungs, and it is illegal in the USA to consume any type of animal lung as they can contain more microorganisms and toxins than other parts of the body.
Coming in at number two on Kourtnee’s list is a firm favourite among those who enjoy a drink that packs a punch and delivers a hefty energy boost along the way. She said: “Buckfast also can’t be imported to the USA… which basically knocks Scotland out of the World Cup before it’s even started.” Buckfast – or ‘Bucky’ as it’s affectionately known by aficionados – can’t be brought into the USA due to its high caffeine content, reports the Daily Record.
Third on Kourtnee’s list is something a touch easier on your liver. Holding up a packet of well-fired morning rolls, showcasing the eye-catching charred top, she said: “I genuinely thought these had expired when I first saw them. Turns out this is ON PURPOSE and people PREFER them.”
Fourth on the list, and no great surprise here, is Irn Bru. Kourtnee said: “Scotland’s national drink is an orange soda that tastes indescribable? Just try it, especially for a hangover cure.”
Fifth place goes to something a little more refined – Balmoral chicken. Kourtnee wrote: “Chicken stuffed with haggis wrapped in bacon!?!? THIS COUNTRY DOES NOT MISS!!!!!!”
Sixth on the list isn’t exclusively Scottish, but wasn’t something Kourtnee had previously encountered before arriving here. Displaying a photo of a Morrisons tuna and sweetcorn sandwich, she wrote: “The sweetcorn in the tuna was not something New York City prepared me for.”
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Coming in at number seven is the ever-popular Tunnock’s tea cake. Kourtnee described the iconic treats as “a chocolate UFO filled with marshmallow”, adding: “Confused at first. Now I can’t stop.”
Rounding off the list in spectacular fashion is the full Scottish breakfast. Sharing a snap of her loaded plate, complete with scrambled eggs, sausages, a grilled tomato and mushroom, bacon, toast, and square sausage, she dubbed the legendary feast “not for the weak”. She wrote: “New York has a big breakfast. Scotland said ‘hold my Irn Bru’!”
Wrapping up her post, she remarked: “No shade! I’ve been converted on some of these.”
Followers in the comments were quick to chip in with their own recommendations for Scottish delicacies Kourtnee ought to sample. One suggested: “Scottish tablet is heavenly.” Another enthused: “Best hangover cure is a well fired roll with lorne (square) sausage, fried onions and cheese with lashings of ketchup. Washed down by Irn Bru.”