As an artist I really love to paint still lifes of food, especially cheese, and the best cheese to paint is always the best to eat! I happen to love good, Artisan specialty cheeses and at I.J. Mellis Cheesemongers it’s the best in the land. 

Established in Glasgow in 1993 I.J., Mellis has become legendary amongst the cheese eating elite in the city. It has spread throughout Scotland with branches now in Edinburgh, Aberdeen, St Andrews and Dundee. As well as the enormous selection of cheese the shop also sells very good quality cold meats, olive oils, home-made bread, sausages, bacon, fruit compotes, truffle products, rare varieties of fruit and many more delicious and exquisitely produced fine foods.

I have spent an hour in I.J. Mellis just tasting different cheeses. The staff are extremely helpful and knowledgeable and happy to let you sample the products before buying. There is a big selection of local Scottish cheeses and a huge variety from around the globe. Beautiful hams and cured meats from Spain, Italy and Germany; olive oils from every corner of the Mediterranean, jars of giant beans from Spain and jams, compotes relishes and mustards from Northern Europe. And that’s just a fraction of what’s on offer!

The shop serves teas, coffees, pastries and pies all made on the premises. Also, you can attend cheese tasting events that are on in Glasgow and Edinburgh twice a month, check website.

Oh and they make cheese wedding cakes now too.