In early March, I was on a special culinary journey as a buyer – invited by Scottish Development International (SDI) to a Buyers Mission through Scotland. Together with buyers from other countries, we traveled across the country: factory visits, endless tastings, many conversations, and in between, the breathtaking Scottish landscape. As expected, the weather was typically Scottish, but it made the meadows beautifully green.
From Edinburgh to the Highlands – and sheep everywhere
We drove a lot: from Glasgow to Edinburgh to Aberdeen and then all the way to the northern tip, with frequent trips out into the countryside. The Scottish Highlands and Lowlands in March are simply magical – green hills, dramatic clouds, small villages, and everywhere these fluffy Highland cows and sheep looking at you as if to say, "What are you doing here?"
In the evenings, we sat in typical Scottish restaurants – haggis, fish & chips, Cullen skink, and of course, shortbread for dessert. It was a little celebration every time. Scotland is just fun – the food, the people, the stories. Absolutely recommended for travel, even if it's just for a few days.
Photo: Typical landscape of the Scottish Highlands during our gourmet buying trip
The highlights of the mission – and who we will have new in our range
The tour was perfectly organized and took us to some of the most exciting producers. Here are those that particularly impressed me:
A.G. Barr They not only make Irn-Bru (the cult drink), but also have really good sodas and energy drinks. Very impressive how modern and sustainable their production is.
Golden Casket – Buchanan’s Here we tried the premium toffee series – handmade, various flavors, incredibly buttery and intense. They will definitely be included in our range. Anyone who likes toffee will love this.
Blackthorn Salt They are already with us – and after the visit, we are even more convinced. The smoked sea salt is simply in a class of its own.
Tunnock’s The teacakes, caramel wafers, and snowballs – cult in Scotland and soon to be more prominently represented with us. Pure nostalgia.
Lazy Day Foods Gluten-free, vegan, and just damn delicious baked goods. The millionaires shortbread and flapjacks are good.
Macleans Highland Bakery Traditional shortbread in all variations – buttery soft, perfectly baked. They will also be new in the range.
Reid's of Caithness A real insider tip from the north. Their shortbread and cake range is great – we will also include them.
Dean's of Huntly Already with us for a while – but the visit showed why they are so popular: shortbread and oatcakes at the highest level.
Impressions of our journey
Blackthorn Salt – visiting a special salt producer
Blackthorn Salt is traditionally harvested on the Scottish west coast and delights with large, crispy sea salt crystals – perfect for fish, meat, or vegetables.
During our visit, we were able to witness the process live. The Atlantic water is first channeled over large frames made of blackthorn branches. Through wind and air, part of the water evaporates naturally – a method that has been used for centuries. This creates a particularly concentrated brine, which is then slowly heated. Beautiful, pyramid-shaped salt crystals form during this process, which are later harvested by hand. It was fascinating to see how much patience and craftsmanship goes into such a seemingly simple product as salt.
Photo: Blackthorn Salt from Scotland – traditionally harvested sea salt with pyramid-shaped salt crystals - Blackthorn Scottish Sea Salt sea salt in the shop, buy online
Dean’s – traditional shortbread from the Scottish Highlands
Dean’s of Huntly is one of the most famous shortbread manufacturers in Scotland – and after our visit, it is immediately clear why. The story began in the 1970s in a small bakery in the town of Huntly in Aberdeenshire, where Helen Dean developed her first shortbread recipe. What started as a local family recipe has now developed into an internationally valued brand.
During our visit, we could see how much value is still placed on quality and tradition here. The shortbread is baked according to classic recipes with plenty of butter – just as you would expect from a real Scottish shortbread. The aroma in the bakery was simply wonderful.
It was particularly impressive to see how the combination of modern production and traditional craftsmanship works. Despite the size of the company, the product remains true to its origins: buttery soft, slightly crumbly, and just the right amount of sweet – perfect with a good cup of tea.
Photo: Traditional shortbread from Scotland by Dean’s – butter pastry specialty from the Highlands - Discover Dean’s Shortbread now
Why Scotland is so exciting for us as a gourmet importer
Scotland has an incredible food culture: high-quality ingredients, a lot of craftsmanship, tradition, and at the same time modern thinking. The products are honest, have character, and fit perfectly with our focus on premium brands with history. And the people there are warm, proud of what they do – you can feel it at every tasting. The founders or family representatives – almost all family businesses – were always personally present.
I returned with a full bag (many samples, and I quickly bought a Scottish kilt during a stop at the House of Bruar) and many new ideas. The first gourmet products are already on their way to us in Augsburg and will surely delight us from summer onwards, especially during the Christmas season – when we want to cozy up again with tea & cookies.
If you are interested in our Scottish gourmet selection, please just send a short message or simply call – we always appreciate interest. Feel free to contact us at info@ryan-s.eu or you can also reach our team by phone at: +49 821 455 254 00
If you do not have a customer account yet, register easily in our B2B portal – this way you will gain access to our current ranges, prices, and limited editions. After registration, our team is personally available to assist you with product planning for 2026 and to find the right products for your business together.
Slàinte mhath & see you soon, Sabine Ryan