A Taste of Scotland: Our Unforgettable Experience with The Hebridean Baker
As summer draws to a close and the leaves begin to hint at the colors of fall, our family was fortunate to enjoy a delightful day steeped in Scottish tradition at the Virginia Scottish Games this Labor Day weekend. The sweltering heat didn’t deter us as we eagerly made our way to the festival, excited to immerse ourselves in the rich culture and history of Scotland. This year’s event was particularly special because my daughter, Natalia, and I had the honor of attending a lecture by the famous Hebridean Baker, Coinneach Macleod.
Coinneach, a charismatic figure hailing from the tiny island of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, has captured the hearts of many with his TikTok videos, which celebrate traditional Scottish recipes, Gaelic language, and the simple pleasures of life. His rise to fame during the pandemic brought the beauty of the Scottish islands to a global audience, inspiring many to explore a more wholesome, grounded way of living. We were thrilled to have the chance to experience his warmth and wisdom in person.
The event began on a joyful note with a group sing-along, where we all joined in singing "The Lights of Lochindall." The melody, filled with the spirit of the Scottish Isles, set the tone for what was to come—a celebration of tradition, culture, and, of course, food. As we sang together, the sense of community in the tent grew stronger, connecting us all through the shared love of Scottish heritage.
After the music, we were treated to a tasting of Harris gin and Jura whisky, both of which carried the distinct flavors of their origins. The crisp, refreshing gin and the rich, smoky whisky perfectly complemented the atmosphere, making us feel as though we were transported to the Scottish Highlands, despite the blazing Virginia sun outside.
But the highlight of the event was undoubtedly Coinneach’s introduction of his recipes, particularly his famous shortbread. This traditional Scottish treat, with its buttery richness and crumbly texture, is a staple in many homes, and hearing Coinneach speak about it with such passion made it all the more special. His stories of baking with his family, using recipes passed down through generations, resonated deeply with us. It reminded us of the importance of preserving these culinary traditions and sharing them with others.
Inspired by Coinneach’s talk, Natalia and I couldn’t wait to try making shortbread ourselves. Luckily, we have the perfect recipe to follow, straight from the Hebridean Baker himself. Here it is, for you to enjoy and share with your loved ones:
Shortbread Recipe (Makes a Dozen)
Ingredients:
115g soft butter
55g golden caster sugar, plus extra for sprinkling
A pinch of salt
130g plain flour
40g ground rice
Method:
Preheat the oven to 150°C/300°F.
Cream together the butter, sugar, and salt until pale.
Sift in your flour and ground rice, and mix until you make a smooth dough. Cover in cling film and chill in the fridge for 15 minutes.
Lightly roll out the dough to 1cm thickness and cut into biscuits. Sprinkle over the extra sugar.
Bake in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes. Your shortbread pieces should be golden but not browned. Leave to cool on a wire rack.
But that’s not all—Coinneach also introduced us to a delightful cocktail recipe that captures the essence of a Scottish New Year, or Hogmanay, celebration. Here’s how to make it:
Hebridean Hogmanay Cocktail (Serves 1)
Ingredients:
3 tablespoons marmalade (see page 21 of The Hebridean Baker book to make your own)
200ml herbal tea (choose your favorite)
1 clementine, juiced
50ml whisky—roughly, a double dram
5–6 ice cubes, enough to fill your whisky glass
Method:
Scoop your marmalade into a large mug. Get the kettle on, then make a cup of your favorite herbal tea. Once it’s steeped, pour it over your marmalade and stir until combined. Let that cool.
Squeeze the juice from the clementine.
To assemble, fill a whisky tumbler with ice, pour in the double dram of whisky, the clementine juice, and the cooled marmalade-infused tea. Garnish and serve your Hogmanay guests!
As the day came to a close, we left the festival with full hearts and exciting plans to add these traditional Scottish recipes to our catering menu for On The Fly Tapsters. Soon, our clients will have the pleasure of enjoying the rich flavors of Scotland, from buttery shortbread to a refreshing Hogmanay cocktail. The experience of hearing Coinneach speak, tasting the flavors of Scotland, and learning more about the traditions that my husband’s family, the Cumming Clan, holds dear was truly unforgettable. We look forward to sharing a bit of Scotland with our clients, one shortbread biscuit and Hogmanay cocktail at a time.
Harris Gin
