My wife and I are planning on visiting Scotland in October/November. I've heard the food is fantastic. But I'm concerned about the possibility of contracting mad cow disease or other prion-related disorder from any beef or lamb we happen to eat there. Is this much ado about nothing?<BR><BR>Eric

Mad cows were executed, and the existing ones are in their senses. Lambs never had any disease.

The cows are fine.<BR>It is the Scotsmen that you have to be wary of

all the mad cows were given some happy drugs and they are now happy. they argue endlessly about if its better to become a roast or a steak. moooooooooooooth a cow with a lisp

Mad cow is an old story...all you have to worry about now is the Mad Man in Washington....you'll go a lot faster with him inf4cting the world than you would with some por old cow

If you're worried about mad cow disease, check serious official site, like the CDC site.<BR><BR>If you're still worried after reading them, though the risks are incredibly tiny, let the Angus for other tourists/locals and don't eat beef while there. No point in being worried during the next ten years because you indulged in some meat, whether your fears are irrational or not is irrelevant.

Hey anon - Are you sure? As far as I know Sheila is still around.

It is my understanding that very few beef herds in Scotland were ever infected,and any that were were in the south west, close to the English border, and the Aberdeen Angus herds were definitely not infected. If you plan to eat at well-regarded restaurants you will be quite safe eating beef. If you are self-catering, buy meat from a butcher rather than a supermarket. The butchers all know exactly where their meat comes from.