Industry organisation Scottish Bakers has unveiled a shortlist of 39 bakeries in the running to be crowned Scottish Baker of the Year 2018.

Those on the shortlist – which includes Stephens Bakery, McGhee’s Bakery, and Reids of Caithness (see full list below) – have won at least a regional bronze at the Awards following a judging day last week (28 March).

Some 850 goods were nominated by consumers across the country in seven categories: scones, morning rolls, individual cakes, savouries, biscuits, breads and celebration cakes. They were then judged on a regional level by a panel of 50 industry experts, who whittled them down.

The creators of these goods are now eligible to enter the next stage of the competition, which will see one of them crowned as Scottish Baker of the Year 2018 at a gala dinner on 5 May 2018.

“This is my first year at the Scottish Baker of the Year Judging Day and it has been a real treat, not just for the taste buds but for the eye too,” said Scottish Bakers’ CEO Alasdair Smith, who was appointed to the position earlier this year.

“The creativity on show here today is superb, especially in our new category, celebration cake. I am intrigued to find out who the judges have awarded prizes to and to sharing the news with the winners at our conference in Glasgow in May.”

Here’s the full shortlist of bakeries:

  • Apple Pie Bakery, Carnwath
  • Argo’s Bakery, Stromness
  • Ashers Bakery, Nairn
  • Aulds Bakeries, Greenock
  • Bad Girl Bakery, Muir of Ord
  • Bayne’s the Family Bakers, Lochore
  • Beth Brownings Bakery, Kilwinning
  • Biggar Flavour, Biggar
  • Breadalbane Bakery & Tea Room, Aberfeldy
  • Brownings the Bakers, Kilmarnock
  • Butterscotch Bakery, Glasgow
  • Byron Bakery, Aberdeen
  • City of Glasgow College City Market Bakery, Glasgow
  • Express Bakery, Dumfries
  • Fisher & Donaldson, Cupar
  • Goodfellow & Steven, Dundee
  • Gretna Bakery, Longtown
  • Harry Gow, Inverness
  • Irvines Bakery, Dalry
  • J B Christie, Airdrie
  • J G Ross, Inverurie
  • J Gillespie & Sons, Stranraer
  • J&I Smith Bakers, Huntly
  • Keptie Bakery, Letham
  • M Corson, Dalbeattie
  • Maclean’s Highland Bakery, Forres
  • McGhee’s Bakery, Glasgow
  • Mimi’s Bakehouse, Edinburgh
  • Mr C’s Hand-Crafted Pies, Perth & Kinross
  • Peter’s Bakery, Kirkintilloch
  • R Little Bakers, Moffat
  • Reids of Caithness, Thurso
  • Rendall’s Bakery, Kirkwall
  • Stephens Bakery, Dunfermline
  • T A Francis, Annan
  • The Kandy Bar, Saltcoats
  • The Three Little Bakers, Inverness
  • Waas Bakery, Shetland
  • WTS Forsyth & Sons, Peebles