Easter, eggs and all

Easter isn’t Easter without eggs! What could be a better symbol of rebirth and life? Those canny pioneers of the Christian faith knew that it would hard-going to convert all those northern European pagans and Celts if they banned their holidays and so they co-opted the goddess Oestre’s festivities into the Christian year. Jesus’ resurrection and the new birth in nature were both an ideal and timely match.

Rolling eggs down a hill is a very symbolic message. Jesus was crucified on a hill and the eggs roll away like the stone that sealed His tomb. Wooden eggs are the order of the day here or very hard-boiled.

Easter egg hunts – hide them in your own garden or join in an organised hunt at local venues.

Chocolate eggs are the highlight of Easter gifts

– even if the shops start selling them on Boxing Day. We have so many talented chocolatiers here in the West Highlands that we are spoilt for choice. They also make superb ‘free-from’ products so that everyone can enjoy this Easter treat.

Real eggs! The eggs from our local farms, crofts and poultry keepers are magnificent, the colour and flavour beats even the most expensive supermarket eggs. Look out for duck eggs and if you can find someone who sells Bantam eggs even better, these characterful little chickens produce tiny eggs bursting with flavour, if baking substitute three Bantam eggs for two standard chicken eggs.

When it comes to Easter food then lamb is a must for your Easter gathering. It is not that we are biased, but Scottish lamb is the best in the world and the nation’s best comes from here. Black face sheep grazing on highland pasture, or the lush island and Kintyre grazings – get that garlic, mint and rosemary at the ready. Look out for farm open days taking place over the Easter weekend.

For an Easter tea, remember your hot cross buns – go to one of our artisan bakeries and find out how good they are – stick with the traditional recipe of spices and dried fruit. Remember a true simnel cake is decorated with 11 marzipan balls – for the apostles, leaving out Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus.