Campbell’s Bakery in Crieff plans to set up what managing director Iain Campbell describes as ‘the first bakery school in Scotland’.

The first class will run on 28 January, following a ‘test class’ in October that Campbell said was well received.

He told British Baker: “It’s been an idea for a while – ideally we’d like to expand into the derelict hotel next door and make it a full-time bakery school. We’re in talks with a local property developer on that front, but we’re starting out on our existing premises first.”

Campbell hopes that launching classes at the bakery first will demonstrate to potential funders that there’s a significant demand.

“I’ve done my research,” he said, “and from what I can see this is the first purely dedicated bakery school in Scotland.”

Campbell said his wife Ailsa gave him the idea – he has already done “bits and pieces” of teaching with a local high school for the past five years, and has trained two young Scottish Bakers of the Year: “I’m hoping to sign another one so I can make it a hat-trick.”

Scottish Bakers said they were not aware of any other dedicated bakery schools in Scotland, and wished Campbell all the best with his endeavours. They also noted the recent investments in bakery at the City of Glasgow School.

Last month Scottish Bakers won the Conference Development category accolade for the second consecutive year at the UK Associations Awards.