Scotland


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1250" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/11/food-photographer-jennifer-pallian-AQ_og51xGlE-unsplash.jpg" alt="Panettone " class="wp-image-2189" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/11/food-photographer-jennifer-pallian-AQ_og51xGlE-unsplash.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/11/food-photographer-jennifer-pallian-AQ_og51xGlE-unsplash-240x300.jpg 240w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/11/food-photographer-jennifer-pallian-AQ_og51xGlE-unsplash-819x1024.jpg 819w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/11/food-photographer-jennifer-pallian-AQ_og51xGlE-unsplash-768x960.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photograph: Jennifer Pallian, Unsplash</figcaption></figure>



<p>A double dough mix, naturally leavened and slow cooled (upside down!) – the making of a truly excellent panettone is no mean feat. And that’s before you even get into the debate about whether it’s okay to mess with the classic candied peel and raisin version and make it chocolate…</p>



<p>To enjoy panettone at its best, according to Fernando Basaldua Bazaldua, baker at XOKO in Inverness, takes patience on the part of the eater as much as the maker.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Panettone contains a lot of butter,” says Fernando. “Lots and LOTS of butter. And where we are in the UK is cold, so it can set hard and crystallise in the panettone.” The key to getting it at its best, he says, is warmth. “I’ve heard that some Italian families put it on top of the radiator for two or three days before Christmas, so that it’s the perfect temperature to enjoy.”</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1033" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/11/blackieshoot-DiT-Aw7qwyo-unsplash.jpg" alt="Sliced chocolate panettone" class="wp-image-2194" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/11/blackieshoot-DiT-Aw7qwyo-unsplash.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/11/blackieshoot-DiT-Aw7qwyo-unsplash-300x207.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/11/blackieshoot-DiT-Aw7qwyo-unsplash-1024x705.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/11/blackieshoot-DiT-Aw7qwyo-unsplash-768x529.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photograph: Blackie Shoot, Unsplash</figcaption></figure>



<p>And that perfect temperature? Between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius. He suggests putting your meat thermometer to use to absolutely nail it.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“If the oven is free –&nbsp;and that’s challenging at this time of year – put the whole thing in at 40 degrees for an hour to an hour and a half.” He advises keeping it in the plastic bag to keep it from drying out, but to make sure the plastic isn’t touching anything where it can melt. But, he says, “if you’re just going to have one slice, warming it in the microwave for – at most – 10 seconds is perfect.”</p>



<p>Blessed as Scotland is with lots of Italian delis, there’s definitely a place to find good panettone near you. Here are some of our favourite spots for stocking up on the Italian Christmas treat. Let&#8217;s take it from the top&#8230;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1333" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/11/vicky-ng-RjGpKdVOFvE-unsplash.jpg" alt="A slice of panettone" class="wp-image-2192" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/11/vicky-ng-RjGpKdVOFvE-unsplash.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/11/vicky-ng-RjGpKdVOFvE-unsplash-225x300.jpg 225w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/11/vicky-ng-RjGpKdVOFvE-unsplash-768x1024.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photograph: Vicky Ng, Unsplash</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Inverness</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.xoko.co.uk/panettone" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">XOKO</a></h3>



<p>If you want panettone that’s made in Scotland, look no further than XOKO in Inverness. Head baker Fernando Basaldua Bazaldua makes his using high quality Italian and Scottish flours, Scottish free-range eggs, French butter and local Loch Ness honey. These 600g breads come in three different flavours: Classic fruit, double chocolate made with 70% dark Belgian chocolate and Belgian milk chocolate, and gingerbread made with fiery stem ginger and gingerbread Belgian white chocolate rubble. Better still – they ship UK-wide.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.merchantsdelicatessen.co.uk/online-shop/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Merchant’s Delicatessen</a></h3>



<p>Sarah and Rob are the couple behind Inverness wine bar The Walrus &amp; Corkscrew, and while this is not an Italian deli, they are big flag wavers for good produce that’s well-made. Their panettone comes from master baker Beniamino Bazzoli in Lombardy, who uses a 40 year old mother yeast and no industrial additives. They stock a chestnut, chocolate, limoncello, vegan and – new this year – chocolate and raspberry version. But go quick. They’ve already sold out of the classic so there’s no time to lose.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-blair-atholl">Blair Atholl</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-house-of-bruar"><a href="https://www.houseofbruar.com/pistachiopanettone750/?srsltid=AfmBOoqVvmC5G990fZwDYyD57L1-1WQxBFsKAxR6nLCduhzxJjL-k8hl" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">House of Bruar</a></h3>



<p>Should your festive travels take you along the A9, and you make your almost inevitable break in the journey at House of Bruar, you&#8217;ve another opportunity to stock up on panettone. On their shelves is a 750g Pistachio Panettone made by  Chiostro Di Saronno. Again they&#8217;re a family-run Italian business, also based in Lombardy. Traditionally wrapped in paper, they&#8217;ll also make a great last minute, beautifully presented Christmas gift.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Perth</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.casella-polegato.co.uk/pages/lalala" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Casella e Polegato</a></h3>



<p>For ten years, baker Denis Casella has been making traditional Italian sourdough in the heart of Perth. So of course, at Christmas, you’ll find housemade panettone –&nbsp;fermented for 36 hours no less – available for sale. No need to order just turn up at their George Street shop in Perth or at markets across the region. As well as the classic they&#8217;ve got chocolate, citrus, white chocolate and cranberry and pistachio. Find them at the Bowhouse in Fife the second weekend in December and at Edinburgh Farmer’s Market the weekend just before Christmas.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-provender-brown"><a href="https://provenderbrown.co.uk/search-results.php?search_query_top=loison" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Provender Brown</a>&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Another great local deli, this time fronted by husband and wife team Elle and Ed. In store this year they have “Panettone in abundance!” from Loisin, an artisanal Italian pasticceria based halfway between Verona and Venice. Including versions made with pear, fig and Sicilian orange peel, they’re full of flavour and, if you’re worried about the scale, there are mini versions too. You&#8217;ll also find panettone made by Difforti at their sister site, <a href="https://www.theurbangrocery.co.uk/search?q=panettone&amp;options%5Bprefix%5D=last" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fig &amp; Fromage</a>, in Newport on Tay.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Edinburgh</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-valvona-e-crolla"><a href="https://www.valvonacrolla.co.uk/store-cupboard/panettone" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Valvona e Crolla</a></h3>



<p>Valvona e Crolla has been selling panettone to the citizens of Edinburgh since 1934. So here you’ll obviously find the classic. But also chocolate and lemon variations. Go big with a kilo of the stuff, or keep it mini with their 100g versions. Gluten-free? No probs. Vegan? They’ve got you covered. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-contini"><a href="https://shop.contini.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Contini</a></h3>



<p>The Contini family have been an Edinburgh institution for about a hundred years, bringing an Italian passion for hospitality, sourcing, quality and simplicity to tables across the city. At Christmas they stock a whopping one kilo classic panettone (half kilos are available too) at their George Street shop, specially made for them by the same artisan Italian baker for the last 40 years.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-glasgow">Glasgow</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-celino-s-partick-and-dennistoun"><a href="https://shop.celinos.com/celinos-i-sette-artigiani-fruit-panettone-500g/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Celino’s</a>, Partick and Dennistoun</h3>



<p>Celino’s have their panettone made by another very small, family-run business – I sette artigiani. Two sisters – Cristina and Rita Orazi – decided to take over the only bakery in their village, Colmurano in the province of Macerata in the Italian region of Marche. Since 2016, their children have taken up the baton of using traditional handmade methods to produce some of the finest, moist panetonne. And you can find it – classic version only – at both east and west branches of Celino’s.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.pane-e-vino.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pane e vino</a>, Giffnock</h3>



<p>Pane e vino, just south of Glasgow in Giffnock, is beloved by those in the know. Well-stocked with panettone, just watch yourself – the deli is loaded with gorgeous Italian meats and cheeses and it also happens to be a restaurant, named last year by <em>The Times</em> as one of the top restaurants in Glasgow. Don’t blame us if you sit for a well-earned glass of wine mid-shop and come out with more Italian treats than purely panettone!&nbsp;</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?</h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://scotland.muddystilettos.co.uk/christmas/great-cocktail-bars-scotland/">Christmas time! Cocktails and wine! Great places for nights out across Scotland</a></li>



<li><a href="https://scotland.muddystilettos.co.uk/christmas/scottish-stocking-fillers-for-foodies/">Eat, drink and be merry! Scottish stocking fillers for foodies</a></li>



<li><a href="https://scotland.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/whats-on-december-2025/">Ice ice baby, winter feels and skipping the light fantastic: It’s December in Scotland</a></li>
</ul>


Buon natale! Where to find great panettone near you

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