Scotland Peter Irvine’s the best Artisan bakers
Scotland has a brilliant selection of bakeries, with a great choice of breads, rolls, cakes and croissants
The Bakehouse, Mallaig
Old Quay on the harbour near the yacht pontoons. Matthew and Kate Mccarthy’s brilliant bakery is quite the best thing that’s happened to food in Mallaig since the fish came in. Scottish faves, such as sausage rolls (including black pudding ones), the best sourdough, but also genuine patisserie, the top croissants in the Highlands, their excellent takeaway pizza dome is adjacent. 01687 462808
Aran Bakery, Dunkeld
Flora Shedden, who reached the final four of the Great British Bake Off, brought her flair and baking skills to Dunkeld and opened up in the main street. Breads vary each day, always proper baguettes and croissants, reimagined sausage rolls and unique-to-here cakes. 01350 727029
Cottonrake Bakery, Glasgow
One of the first of the bakery new wave taken immediately to heart – the delicious cholesterol-making cakes – now a mainstay of foodie Kelvinside. The baguettes are sans pareil.
07910 282040
Hamilton’s Cheesecakes, Stirling
Yes, cheesecakes – only cheesecakes. Not Scottish except for the enterprising Ian Hamilton and that we love these gorgeous sweet things. Individual pots, every conceivable cool flavour displayed irresistibly in a showcase cabinet. And coffee. Go gorge. 07789 000996
Earth’s Crust, Castle Douglas
Main street, on the left at the clock tower. Since Tom and Pavlina Van Rooyen started baking their excellent bread and other goodies in this small bakehouse/ takeaway/café, Castle Douglas has begun to fulfil its promise as a Food Town. Ethical, conscientious.
01556 502506