Ruth Aisling recently visited a Bake Off semi-finalist’s shop in a stunning town hailed for its “stunning Highland scenery and chic Scandi-style sophistication”
A travel vlogger who visited a Bake Off semi-finalist’s shop in a stunning Scottish town has described the bake she tried as “unbelievable”. In her latest adventure, Ruth Aisling, a Scot who seeks to renew her connection with her roots after more than a decade overseas, recently set off to the town of Dunkeld in Perth and Kinross.
In 2023, The Sunday Times named Dunkeld the Best Place to Live in Scotland, citing the area’s “winning combination of stunning Highland scenery and chic Scandi-style sophistication”.
Ruth explained that she’d wanted to visit the town for “years and years” and began her journey at Dunkeld Bridge over the River Tay, where she claims anglers can enjoy “one of the best places in Scotland” for salmon fishing.
Later, she wandered the town’s “beautiful” streets, referencing some colourful local history involving a battle and the town’s rebuilding in the 18th century, as well as its “top-notch” food scene.
Ruth ultimately found herself at a local establishment with an interesting claim to fame: ARAN Bakery on Atholl Street is a micro-bakery owned by Great British Bake Off semi-finalist Flora Shedden, who appeared on the show in 2015.
She said: “So ARAN Bakery is one of the famous bakeries here in Dunkeld, and I picked up a few things for my lunch. I got this drink as well, a nettle and elderflower drink. What an interesting combination. Let’s give this a try. Wow, that is so good.”
Ruth was referring to her can of Nuisance Sparkling Botanicals Nettle and Elderflower, as well as a spanakopita spiral pastry. Taking a bite of the latter, she remarked: “So I got this feta pastry that looks so yummy. Wow, that is unbelievable.
“There’s a TV show called the Great British Bake Off. I’ve never actually watched it, but I think the owner of that bakery was in the finals or the semi-finals of that show.
“I think it’s mostly baking that they do on that show. It’s quite a famous bakery. I think it’s got quite a big Instagram page, a lot of followers. Sometimes when you eat a pastry, it’s quite soggy, or it can be quite dry and crunchy.
“This is the perfect balance of soggy and dry in the middle. It’s perfect. So good.”
Afterwards, she tucked into a nutty caramel shortbread, saying: “This looks so yummy. Caramel shortbread is one of my favourite Scottish treats. This one is an interesting take on it. Instead of chocolate on the top, there are lots of nuts. Everything from that bakery is ten out of ten.”
According to Hidden Scotland, ARAN Bakery “sold out in four hours” on the day it opened and quickly established itself within the local community, being “cherished for its simplicity and home bakes”.
Some of the mouth-watering items on offer include rosemary, sea salt and garlic focaccia, goat’s cheese and fennel jam toastie, leek and potato soup, and desserts such as mini rhubarb and custard cake and pear, chocolate and espresso cake.
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