Hebridean Baker’s North American tour is a bestseller
Hebridean baker Coinneach MacLeod, who is moving to a croft near Oban soon, is celebrating his sell-out North American book tour.
The baker’s cookbook My Scottish Island Kitchen has hit the Canadian bestseller list in its first week of release.
On return from his seven-city tour, Coinneach said: “I have loved our tour across North America.
“I’ve been so proud to share the recipes, culture, history and stories of the Outer Hebrides and Scotland and am delighted they have resonated with so many folk across the Atlantic.”
Coinneach’s 10-night sellout tour took him and his partner Peter MacQueen to Washington DC, Boston, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Denver, Chicago and Toronto, which finished with an appearance on primetime Canadian TV show The Social, where he shared his recipes and stories with the celebrity guests and presenters.
“I’ve signed more than 2,000 copies of my cookbook and have loved meeting many folk with Hebridean and Scottish connections across the country,” said Coinneach.
“I’m already looking forward to returning to the US next month for a special book event at New York Tartan Week on April 11 and a trip to Philadelphia on April 14.”
Coinneach MacLeod, from Lewis, recently celebrated the news that he was officially Scotland’s best-selling cookbook author for the past two years.
The TV star and social media sensation also proved his worth at a recent Argyll and The Isles tourism summit in Dunoon, where he shared his secrets to success and how this has helped to support his island economy.
More than 100 representaDrax tives from Argyll’s tourism businesses attended the event, hosted by Argyll and Isles Tourism Co-operative (AITC), Argyll and Bute Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and VisitScotland.
Championing the finest local produce was also a key theme of the summit, highlighted by Coinneach’s keynote speech.
Coinneach shared insights on how his baking obsession infused with Hebridean culture engaged global audiences and transformed his life while providing a boost to Hebridean tourism.
More than 25 million people across the world have now watched his videos online.
Coinneach talked about the importance of delegates finding the right authentic tone of voice.
He said: “We’ve got to create a storyline that creates an atmosphere and a feeling that people are going to experience something very different if they visit us in Argyll or the islands.”
Emma Clark, AITC vice chairperson, Argyll and The Isles Food and Drink ambassador and owner of Glenegedale Guesthouse on Islay, added: “Food tourism is a powerful tool that can aid recovery and drive our economy forward.
“We produce and supply some of the very best food and drink right in Argyll and the Isles.
“So now is the perfect time for everyone in the region to work together to responsibly promote our sensational local produce, our unique land and waters, tantalising food trails, world class distilleries and a vast amount of award-winning eateries to suit all tastes.”