Inverness’ Harry Gow Bakery crowned Scottish Baker of the Year 2026

Harry Gow Bakery has been crowned Scottish Baker of the Year 2026, marking the third time the Inverness-based business has claimed the title.

The family run bakery secured its hattrick – the only bakery to do so in the awards’ history – at a black-tie ceremony on 16 May at the Hilton Hotel, Glasgow. Hosted by radio DJ and TV personality Edith Bowman, the event saw awards given for outstanding products in multiple categories, as well as recognising exemplary Scottish bakery businesses.

This year’s competition introduced a brand-new format, designed to better reflect today’s baking industry and celebrate the businesses at the heart of communities across the country. The refreshed structure placed a spotlight on both Local Heroes, small to medium artisan bakeries who are at the heart of their communities, and Icons, larger bakers who combine tradition and craft with modern technology to produce quality baked treats we enjoy every day.

To be in the running for the ultimate title of Scottish Baker of the Year, bakeries entered The Baker’s Den, the business-focused stage of the awards. Following this, judges selected Company Bakery and WeeCook as Local Heroes, and Harry Gow and Pars Foods Ltd as Icons, to go head-to-head for the overall title.

“We’re absolutely delighted to be crowned Scottish Baker of the Year 2026,” said Harry Gow managing director, David Gow. “This award is a huge honour for our whole team and reflects the hard work, passion and pride that goes into everything we do. To be recognised alongside so many talented bakeries from across Scotland makes this achievement even more special. We are in this position thanks to our father, who sadly passed away 18 months ago. He was an outstanding baker and confectioner, and we are good at what we do because of him.”

The win follows the competition’s launch event earlier this year, where Harry Gow made headlines as the unofficial record breaker for the world’s largest Empire Biscuit.

In addition to Scottish Baker of the Year, a host of product awards were handed out. Scottish Bakers said more than 500 products were entered by 60-plus bakeries from across Scotland. Entries were judged on appearance, baking quality, and taste across 11 categories including Biscuits, Bread, Sweet Treats, Scone, Morning Roll, Morning Goods, and Doughnuts.

Bronze, Silver, and Gold medals were awarded with one product from each category named the best in Scotland. These were:

• Better For You and Free From: Saturated Fat Reduction Softie, The Bread Guy
• Biscuit: Chocolate Caramel, Harry Gow Bakery
• Bread: Focaccia, G.H. Barnett & Son
• Celebration Cake: Celebration Cake, Harry Gow Bakery
• Doughnut: Lemon Meringue Pie Doughnut, Harry Gow Bakery
• Innovation: Golden Caramel Halo Cake, Christie the Baker
• Morning Goods: Pain Suisse, Harry Gow Bakery
• Morning Roll: Morning Roll, Goodfellow & Steven
• Multiple Retailer Product: Birthday Cake Slice, Harry Gow Bakery
• Scone: Plain Scone, Fergusons Bakery
• Sweet Treats: Hinba Chocolate Olive Oil Cake, The Bakery Hinba

Scottish Bakery Apprentice of the Year was also named at the awards, with the title going to Jamie Rae from The Breadwinner Bakery in Edinburgh, with Darin Dackers from Bayne’s the Family Bakers and Caris Greenan from Lamond the Baker named as finalists.

“This year’s Scottish Baker of the Year Awards have been a fantastic celebration of the passion, creativity and dedication that exists across Scotland’s bakery industry. From our Local Heroes to our Icons, the standard of entries was exceptional and showcased the incredible talent we have right across the country,” said Lesley Cameron, Chief Executive of Scottish Bakers.

“A huge congratulations to all of this year’s winners, and especially to Harry Gow on being crowned Scottish Baker of the Year 2026. To receive this title is a tremendous achievement and a real reflection of the hard work, innovation and commitment that goes into their business every day.”

The full list of winners, including Bronze, Silver, and Gold medallists, can be viewed via the Scottish Bakers website.