Tag: Walker’s Shortbread

Simon Howie’s Chocolate Haggis to make a return for Hogmanay

Three of Scotland’s best loved brands collaborate on the new recipe of the relaunched pudding

Pictured from left to right: Lauren Paterson, Mrs Tilly’s; Simon Howie; Richard Walker, Walker’s Shortbread

Unveiled on St Andrew’s Day and back by customer demand, Simon Howie’s famous chocolate haggis is making its return in time for two of Scotland’s biggest celebrations, Hogmanay and Burns Night. 

This time around, Simon Howie has collaborated with two of Scotland’s best loved brands, Walker’s Shortbread and Mrs Tilly’s, on a new and improved recipe featuring delicious chunks of all-butter shortbread and fudge, creating an indulgent and unique dessert that’s sold as a haggis!

Simon Howie’s Chocolate Haggis was originally launched in 2024 as a limited-edition pudding for Burns Night. While the brand was keen to bring it back for January 2025, legal dispute with Cadbury’s over the products previous purple packaging made this impossible.

Simon Howie said: “For our wee limited edition Chocolate Haggis to worry the biggest players in chocolate, shows the success of the 2023 launch.

“While we were disappointed not to be able to bring it back straight away, we used the time we needed to change the packaging to also improve the recipe by adding in chunks of shortbread and fudge from our friends at Walker’s and Mrs Tilly’s.

“The Scottish food and drink community is known for its collaboration, and this is a perfect example of three like-minded family-owned manufacturers teaming up to create a unique and innovative product.

“We’re grateful to Walker’s and Mrs Tilly’s for their support and look forward to hearing the reaction from our customers.”  

Richard Walker of Walker’s Shortbread said: “Chocolate Haggis is such a unique and fun celebration of Scotland and we’re delighted to be part of the new recipe development.

WWe are sure it will be enjoyed by many as the perfect pudding for Burns Night.”

Lauren Paterson of Mrs Tilly’s said: “We’re excited to have our Scottish fudge added to Simon Howie’s Chocolate Haggis dessert and that people across Scotland will be able to enjoy this sweet treat with their friends and families for Hogmanay and all the way through to Burns Night.”

Chocolate Haggis is an indulgent chocolate brownie dessert sold in the shape of a haggis. Simon Howie recommends removing all the packaging and microwaving the pudding for about 3 mins before serving with ice cream or cream. The pudding can also be cooked as a regular haggis would, and the casing cut open to serve.

Simon Howie is the UK’s number one haggis brand and sells more than 1.3m haggis during January in the run up to Burns Night. 

The brand’s previous work on Chocolate Haggis recently won Campiagn of the Year at the 2025 Scotland Food and Drink Awards.

Chocolate Haggis will be available in Tesco from the 26th December and from Asda, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and Scotmid from 1st January.

The product is limited edition until Burns Night so will be unavailable after the 26 January. RRP £5.00. You can find more information on Chocolate Haggis here.

Walker’s Shortbread opens ‘shortbread-scented’ sensory experience in Edinburgh Airport

Picture by Lesley Martin August 1, 2024. WALKER’S, Edinburgh Airport. © Lesley Martin 2024

Walker’s Shortbread is inviting those travelling through Edinburgh Airport on a sensory journey this summer, with a new pop-up site which invites passengers to ‘experience the joy of shortbread’ through sight, smell and taste.

The activation will run until 2nd September, coinciding with Edinburgh’s Fringe Festival, which drew in travellers from over 170 countries last year.[ii] A whopping 15 million travellers are expected to pass through Edinburgh Airport in 2024.

Walker’s new pop-up looks to encapsulate visitors’ senses, with scents of freshly-baked shortbread, set to transport visitors to Walker’s home-town of Aberlour in the Scottish Highlands. This includes a new feature where shoppers can use the available atomisers to activate the scent.

To celebrate Walker’s provenance and heritage, the impactful space is decorated with eye-catching illustrations of well-known Scottish landmarks featured alongside a 3D replica of Joseph Walker’s original baker’s van. Walker’s iconic tartan presents a running theme throughout the designs, creating a visual, photo-friendly backdrop.

Visitors will have an opportunity to taste Walker’s delicious all-butter shortbread, with plenty of Shortbread fingers samples available.

As they progress on their shopping journey, customers can grab their very own complimentary postcard spotlighting Scottish designs to take away with them.

Shortbread themed signs hanging on the ceiling will also guide shoppers to Walker’s personalised vending machine within the World Duty Free store at Edinburgh Airport, where they can take a digital quiz to help match them to the perfect Walker’s product for any occasion.

Picture by Lesley Martin August 1, 2024. WALKER’S, Edinburgh Airport. © Lesley Martin 2024

Bryony Walker, Head of Commercial Strategy at Walker’s Shortbread, said: “As a proud Scottish brand, Walker’s new pop-up site aims to engage international audiences visiting Edinburgh in an exciting and memorable way.

“We have embodied Scotland’s ‘friendly and welcoming’ reputation, to create something that is not just a shopping experience, but a journey through Walker’s heritage using sight, smell and taste, to bring to life the joy of shortbread.”

Linsey Jordan, Head of Retail at Edinburgh Airport, commented: “Many passengers like nothing better than to stock up on Scottish favourites as they pass through the airport, and as Walker’s Shortbread is always a top choice it’s no surprise this eye-catching installation is proving a big hit.

“As travellers from all across the world come to Edinburgh to enjoy the Festival – and experience the very best of Scotland – we’re pleased to work with Walker’s on showcasing one of Scotland’s most loved treats in a unique way throughout the month of August.”

Jonathan McIvor, Head of the Confectionery Category in the UK for Avolta added, “At Avolta, we know that consumers want to be immersed in unique and memorable shopping experiences.

“Through collaborations with brands like Walker’s, we can deliver on this mission, while bringing heritage and culture to the forefront of what we do. Travellers from all over the world will now be able to visit this exciting pop-up to experience the true essence of Scotland.”

That’s the Spirit! Walker’s Shortbread partners with The Scotsman Group to create the ultimate festive serve

Experience the magic of shortbread with Walker’s 125 Old Fashioned, a limited-edition whisky-based cocktail with a twist! Now available in 28 Scotsman Group bars across Scotland.

Walker’s Shortbread has joined forces with leading leisure operator The Scotsman Group, to create a special serve to kickstart Edinburgh’s festive season in style.

Introducing The Walker’s 125 Old Fashioned: a limited-edition whisky-based cocktail that honours Walker’s impressive 125-year heritage while spreading the joy of shortbread over the festive season and winter months.

Making and sharing shortbread is an age-old Christmas tradition in Scotland and Walker’s is bringing this to life with a modern twist. Inspired by the mighty ‘Old Fashioned’, The Walker’s 125 incorporates delicious Walker’s Shortbread fingers, The Glenlivet Founders Reserve and Liquid Oats Honey to create a luxurious cocktail that is the ultimate toast to the holiday season.

The Walkers 125 is now listed on menus at 28 Scotsman Group bars across Scotland, including in stunning venues in Edinburgh such as The Scotsman Bar, The Grand Café and The Ghillie Dhu. The Walker’s 125 is available to order in selected Scotsman Group venues until 31st January 2024.

Walker’s all-butter shortbread dates to 1898, when 21-year-old Joseph Walker opened the doors of his own bakery with a loan of £50 and the ambition to bake ‘The World’s Finest Shortbread’. Over a century on, Joseph’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren have remained true to his original ideal – to bake ‘The World’s Finest Shortbread’.

Sarah Macaulay, Head of Marketing at Walker’s Shortbread, said: “At Walker’s, we love that our shortbread is enjoyed at Christmas and that it plays a part in generations of families’ festive traditions.  As December marks the end of our 125th anniversary celebrations, it’s only right that we create a cocktail with another Scottish icon; single malt Scotch whisky.

“That’s why we’ve teamed up with The Scotsman to not only create The Walkers 125, but also to serve it in 28 of their unique and popular venues across Scotland. It’s the perfect tipple for anyone in Scotland enjoying the festivities and looking for a unique whisky-based cocktail to try.”

The Walker’s 125 Old Fashioned is a well-balanced cocktail with sweet creamy notes of honeysuckle and a long-lasting finish of toffee notes, finished with a satisfying Walker’s shortbread crunch.

Roddy Coyle, Head of Beverage Operations at The Scotsman Group, said: “It’s a pleasure to be partnering with Walker’s Shortbread to bring The Walkers 125 to life. Shortbread is a classic treat and one of the nation’s favourite – so we wanted to create a cocktail fit for its worthy title and Walker’s Scottish heritage.

“Scotland is known for its impressive and high-quality whisky, making The Glenlivet Founders Reserve an obvious choice to form the base of the cocktail. The vegan Liquid Oats Vanilla & Honey Liqueur is a nod to our nation’s love for oats – and of course, we’ve incorporated Walker’s delicious shortbread fingers to level up the recipe and give it the special Walker’s touch!”

Please drink responsibly and for advice or support about drinking alcohol please visit drinkaware.co.uk.

Edinburgh:

  • The Scotsman Bar
  • The Grand Café
  • The Granary
  • Inn on the Mile
  • The Murrayfield
  • Southpour
  • Ghillie Dhu