Scottish bakeries 'worth queuing up for' named among the best in the UK

TWO Scottish bakeries "worth queuing up for" have been named among the best in the UK by The Telegraph.

Introducing the list, the newspaper said: "Bread has been baked in Britain for thousands of years and recipes for pastry even appear in medieval recipe books.

"But for a long time, viennoiserie – breakfast pastries such as croissants, Danishes and pains au chocolat – was the domain of mainland Europe. Most of the bread sold in Britain was heavily processed, mass-produced, plastic-wrapped and picked up in supermarket chains.

"All of this has changed over the past decade, and it has been remarkable to witness the rise of independent bakeries across the country, with artisan (handmade, additive-free) bread and viennoiserie at the forefront of the new offerings."

Why were these Scottish bakeries named among the best to visit in the UK?

Bostock in East Lothian and Lannan Bakery in Edinburgh were the Scottish bakeries named among the best in the UK.

Discussing Bostock, The Telegraph said: "Everything that comes out of these ovens is reliably delicious, from sourdough breads to precise, French-style viennoiserie.

"Named after a French pastry made with leftover bread and almonds, Bostock makes the traditional kind along with more creative varieties (like banana and pecan).

"Pâtissier Ross Baxter (who co-owns the bakery with his wife Lindsay) trained with Michelin-starred chefs across the country (winning the Scottish Food Awards’ Pâtissier of the Year in 2018), so it’s no surprise that Bostock’s bakes are brilliant.

"Dab hands at all things dough, they are known for their sourdough bread (made over 36 hours with organic flour) and bulky almond croissants, as well as the eponymous bostocks.

"The original bakery, a staple on North Berwick’s high street, can feel cramped at peak hours, but the newer East Linton branch is airier, popular with larger groups and cyclists heading for the dramatic North Berwick coastline."

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Lannan Bakery was commended for its "beautifully designed shopfront" and "bespoke handmade coffee cups".

The publication said: "Lannan was an instant success when it opened in the summer of 2023, and its popularity has only risen since then.

"Every morning, before the doors open, fans form an orderly queue down the road in eager anticipation of the glossy maple and pecan plaits and bricks of custard slice topped with berry icing.

"Owner and head baker Darcie Maher’s passion and creativity are evident in every detail of Lannan, from the beautifully designed shopfront to the bespoke handmade coffee cups. Especially impressive are the selection of bakes: recent highlights include an ’nduja, fermented honey and Murcia al Vino (goat’s cheese) bun, and a pain Suisse oozing with vanilla cream and chocolate chips that is almost too beautiful to eat.

"Devilishly photogenic, Lannan’s offerings are something of an Instagram favourite, drawing many to make the pilgrimage to Stockbridge, in Edinburgh. It isn’t unusual for the bakery to sell out within a few hours, so come early and be prepared to wait."