Scots are the nation’s biggest couch potatoes thinking nothing about sitting in front of the TV while scoffing our fish and chips.
A new survey has found 37% of us prefer the on-the-lap approach in place of sitting at the table.
The poll – conducted by YouGov and commissioned by Seafish – surveyed 980 adults in July across 10 UK cities, including Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.
And what we have on our suppers varies across regions of Scotland showing how our local eating culture has influenced our eating habits and the condiments our palates have become accustomed to.
The survey found that Glaswegians like their fish – mostly haddock – and chips with a pickled onion (29%), people from Edinburgh favour the salt and sauce option (45%) and Aberdonians sprinkle theirs with cheese (11%).
Stuart Devine, operations director of the Ashvale Fish and Chip Restaurant in Aberdeen said: “Chips and cheese is popular, certainly with our younger customers.”
He added: “It’s more of a late night thing. People also like chips and curry sauce. I think it’s absurd. I’m a fish and chip lover and for me salt and vinegar belongs on them. I would never add curry.”
Seafish found that around two thirds of UK fish and chip eaters add salt (65%) and vinegar (68%), and more than a third (37%) have mushy peas with their meal.
Andy Gray, of the National Fish & Chip Awards, said: “It’s reassuring that as a nation we still love to eat our fish and chips the old fashioned way with plenty of salt, vinegar and mushy peas.
“Interestingly, Aberdeen has the highest proportion of people (68%) having no accompaniment and that area is synonymous with National Fish & Chip Awards chippy champions – maybe they’re so good they don’t need anything with them?”
The seaside emerged as the nation’s favourite location for enjoying the humble dish (31%). Friday was found to be the most popular day for enjoying a fish supper.
Calum Richardson, who owns the award-winning fish and chip shop, The Bay, at the seafront in Stonehaven, said: “I’d say about 90% of our customers have an accompaniment. The figure for those in Aberdeen who don’t add anything seems a bit high.
“Our most popular is our home-made tartar sauce. If people are going straight home they tend to leave the sauce so that it keeps better.
“Because of our location most people eat it here. Sunday is our most popular day. I think because traditionally it’s a family day so they come down here.”