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Scotland’s Café Culture

From Issue Four of Hidden Scotland Magazine

Scotland’s Café Culture

Independent cafés across Scotland and the people who run them.

Words by Lucy Gillmore · Photographs by Simon Hird

Printed in Issue Four of Hidden Scotland Magazine, Spring and Summer 2022.

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Scotland’s Café Culture, photograph by Simon Hird FOOD

Muir of Ord was a two-trick little village in the Highlands, home to the Black Isle’s only whisky distillery and one of the largest agricultural shows in Scotland until the Bad Girl Bakery sashayed into town, with its glamorous Fifties frock-and-pinny logo, wild Willy Wonka-esque creativity, and Gin & Tonic cupcakes.

Bad Girls make good cakes is the tongue-in-cheek ethos behind Jeni Iannetta’s colourful café. Famous for its wickedly indulgent cakes, the name is a playful poke at an out-dated adage - that if it’s nice it must be naughty. Along with those G&T (made from local Loch Ness Gin) cupcakes, you might find temptingly gooey crème brûlée doughnuts on the counter, cherry cheesecake brownies and vanilla caramel fudge cupcakes oozing caramel and topped with Orkney Fudge.

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Where next

Next in Issue FourJURA - Traveller’s TalesThe Isle of Jura is no swarming tourist honeypot. Set among the chain of islands known as the Southern Hebrides, this often-overlooked destination has largely escaped the rush and clamour of the modern world, remaining a wild, unique and traditional place that holds its charms dear.Read on

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