Scotland's 'worst places for food hygiene' named as northern region ranks last
Scotland's worst areas for food hygiene have been named. A northern area of the country placed last on the list.
On Wednesday, July 30, food hygiene course provider High Speed Training shared a report detailing the best and worst places in Scotland for food hygiene pass rates. The report analysed pass ratings for food hygiene inspections at food businesses across the country.
Coming in last place for Scotland is the Highland local authority. Ranking 32nd on High Speed Training's list, the area has the lowest pass rate in the country with 77.88 per cent.
While the Highlands came in at the bottom for Scotland, its percentage pass rate was a slight improvement from the previous year. According to the experts, the pass rate in the council area increased by 0.04 per cent from 2024.
The second worst area in Scotland for food hygiene was found to be the Shetland Islands with a pass rate of 78.31 per cent. Rounding out the bottom five are Aberdeen City, South Lanarkshire, and Aberdeenshire.
Despite placing so lowly, Shetland saw the most significant improvement in pass rate. The UK's most northerly archipelago saw its food hygiene pass rate improve by 3.60 per cent from 2024.
Meanwhile, the biggest drop in ranking was seen in Angus. The council area fell 12 places, from 12th in 2024 to 24th in 2025, with a pass rate of 91.30 per cent.
On the other hand, South Ayrshire tops the list as the area in Scotland with the highest food hygiene pass rates. According to High Speed Training, South Ayrshire has consistently held the top spot in previous reports.
The food hygiene pass rate in South Ayrshire was found to be 99 per cent. This is a decrease of 0.81 per cent from 2024.
The area of Scotland with the second highest food hygiene pass rate according to High Speed Training is Falkirk, with 98.36 per cent. West Lothian follows in third, while Renfrewshire and Fife, respectively, complete the top five.
The report analysed Food Standards Agency data for over 240,000 food businesses across Scotland, England, Northern Ireland, and Wales. The experts found that the average pass rating across all food establishments in Scotland in 2025 was 92.2 per cent.
Head of Learning and Development at High Speed Training Dr Richard Anderson commented: "Food safety and robust hygiene practices should be of paramount importance to food businesses, and to the customers who use them.
"Fifteen years have passed since the launch of the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme, and its place in the industry is as vital as ever.
"These ratings are a direct reflection of how safely and hygienically that establishment operates, and we urge businesses and customers to take them seriously. For businesses that perform well, a high rating is a real selling point.
"However, establishments with a low hygiene rating can be extremely off-putting for customers, which ultimately have a significant impact on reputation and profitability."
Anderson added: "Our report shows that, on average, standards remain high across the UK, and have improved from 2024. This commitment to correct food hygiene training for staff, alongside robust food management procedures and everyday good practices are crucial to keep performing at high standards.
"We would also urge customers to check the food hygiene ratings of establishments they wish to dine at, so that an informed call as to whether you eat there can be made."
See below for the full list of the best and worst areas in Scotland for food hygiene pass rates. The full study can be found on the High Speed Training website.
Food hygiene pass rates in every
South Ayrshire: 99.00%
Falkirk: 98.36%
West Lothian: 98.19%
Renfrewshire: 97.61%
Fife: 96.79%
Orkney Islands: 96.25%
North Lanarkshire: 95.64%
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles): 95.53%
East Ayrshire: 95.50%
East Renfrewshire: 95.00%
Moray: 94.77%
East Lothian: 94.75%
West Dunbartonshire: 94.72%
East Dunbartonshire: 94.35%
Argyll and Bute: 93.48%
Perth and Kinross: 93.35%
North Ayrshire: 93.23%
Inverclyde: 93.15%
Clackmannanshire: 92.73%
Stirling: 92.70%
Dumfries and Galloway: 92.49%
Scottish Borders: 92.05%
Dundee City: 91.67%
Angus: 91.30%
Midlothian: 90.44%
Edinburgh (City of): 89.68%
Glasgow City: 88.47%
Aberdeenshire: 86.06%
South Lanarkshire: 85.40%
Aberdeen City: 82.14%
Shetland Islands: 78.31%
Highland: 77.88%
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