Hebridean Baker saves the best for last – in Oban

Hebridean Baker Coinneach MacLeod is heading for Oban where he will complete the last date on his book signing tour at Waterstones on Sunday December 19.

Born and raised on the Isle of Lewis, and inspired by traditional family recipes and homegrown produce, Coinneach rose to fame as the Hebridean Baker on TikTok in 2020.

Since then he has motivated his worldwide followers to bake, forage, learn Gaelic, enjoy a dram or two of whisky and to seek a more wholesome, simple life.

Along with his partner Peter and their Westie Seòras,

Coinneach’s aim is to bring the best of the Scottish islands to a worldwide audience.

The Hebridean Baker: Recipes and Wee Stories from the Scottish Islands was released in September and his signings tour has been a huge success, taking in Edinburgh, St Andrews, Glasgow, Inverness, Jura, Tarbert, Stornoway and 'saving the best

Hebridean Baker Coinneach MacLeod enjoys a wee dram at his island home. Photograph: Euan Anderson.

'til last', Oban.

Speaking to The Oban Times last week Coinneach said: 'It has been amazing to receive thousands of messages from around the world with photographs of them trying out my bakes.

'My Aunt Bellag's duff (clootie dumpling) recipe is definitely a favourite, along with the cocktails and many other of the traditional Hebridean and Scottish recipes in the book.

'It's also been great to hear of so many folk deciding to start learning Gaelic because of reading the stories and sayings in the book. It's also great that folk have recognised that some of the photography in the book comes from Clachan Sound and the Isle of Seil and many of the recipes are from my Oban family.'

Over the last month Coinneach has been popping up all over the place.

Appearances on This Morning live from the Isle of Lewis with Holly and Phil, Kirstie Allsopp's Christmas Show and the Chris Evans Virgin Radio Show as well as featuring on the CBS Sunday Breakfast Show across America have all helped to up the profile of the humble Hebridean celebrity.

'It's been a busy few months but I have still had time to spend time back on the island and excitingly, I have put an offer in on a house back in my home village,' he told The Oban Times.

'Support from the island community has been great - at my book signings folk have been buying 10 books at a time telling me they are Christmas gifts for friends and family around the world.

'Working with island brands such as Harris Distillery, Jura Whisky, Caledonian MacBrayne and Harris Tweed Hebrides has also been amazing.

'Sales have been unbelievable, to see my book ahead of Mary Berry in the charts has been humbling.'

Coinneach will be in Waterstones on Sunday from 1pm.