Cutting it, fine - Iain’s hot cross buns are unique

CHANCES are, over the last few days, you might have eaten a hot cross bun or two.

The spiced treat was traditionally made for Good Friday, but these days they’re available much longer, with some shops even selling them all year round.

At Campbell’s Bakery in Perthshire though, the buns are still only available for a few weeks up to Easter.

And there’s no mistaking their version.

While most hot cross buns, especially the mass-produced kind, use simple piping to create the cross effect, Campbell’s is adorned with something far more distinctive.

Each of their buns has a piece of pastry in the shape of a cross or crucifix baked on top.

Iain Campbell, the seventh generation of his family to run the bakery, uses a special cutter that’s been in the Crieff-based business for more than 50 years.

His grandfather, Bob, bought the implement from an Edinburgh supplier in the early 1960s and it has been used every Easter since.

Iain, who has been with the business since 1993, believes the cutter would once have been fairly common. But he says he’s never seen another hot cross bun that looks like his, so believes his cutter might be the last one in commercial use.

The past week has been peak production time and the two night-shift bakers produced more than 1000 for the family’s shops in Crieff and Comrie.

The well-used cutter is beginning to look a little worn, but traditions are important to Iain, so he’ll continue using it.

The business was founded in Callander in 1830 by Donald Campbell.

His great-grandson Bob opened premises in Crieff in 1929 and he used to make twice-daily deliveries to the locals.

These days, while upholding the traditions of the past two centuries, Iain, his wife and two sisters are looking at ways to expand the business.

One of the most popular offshoots they’ve created is a baking class, which will soon become a monthly occurrence.

Participants recently had the chance to use the special cutter to make their own hot cross bun and the next class takes place this Saturday.

In the meantime, grab a special Campbell’s bun while you can, because tomorrow is their last day on sale – until next Easter.