Scotland


<p>Head to the picturesque village of Dunkeld in Perth and Kinross and you’ll undoubtedly find a queue outside <a href="https://www.aran-bakery.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>ARAN Bakery</strong></a><strong> (2 Atholl St, Dunkeld PH8 0AR)</strong>, owned and run by Flora Shedden. She was just 19 years old when she became the youngest finalist on the Great British Bake Off back in 2015. Ten years’ on and she has ARAN Bakery and<strong> </strong><a href="https://www.lon-store.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>LÒN STORE</strong></a><strong> (4 High St, Dunkeld PH8 0AJ)</strong> to her name, as well as several books. Her newest, <em>Winter in the Highlands</em>, is a gorgeous read and a delight to cook from. We caught up with her to get her tips on weathering the winter season well.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/11/Kim-Grant-5.jpg" alt="Flora Shedden Winter in the Highlands" class="wp-image-1869" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/11/Kim-Grant-5.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/11/Kim-Grant-5-200x300.jpg 200w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/11/Kim-Grant-5-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/11/Kim-Grant-5-768x1152.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photograph: Kim Grant</figcaption></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-first-got-you-cooking-nbsp">What first got you cooking?&nbsp;</h3>



<p>I grew up with an amazing group of women all of whom were/are great cooks so I have always enjoyed it. I&#8217;ve been very lucky to turn it into a career.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-important-are-the-seasons-to-you-in-the-way-you-cook">How important are the seasons to you in the way you cook?</h3>



<p>I’m much more seasonal with ingredients than I am with recipes. I would love a hot cross bun in September partly because they are delicious but also because they are made of store cupboard goods which are just as delicious in Autumn as they are at Easter. The only time I am not proud to be a Scot is when admitting that most people serve Cranachan (made with raspberries) for Burns night in January. Never have I met a delicious tasting raspberry in January. Cooking is normally guided by fresh produce and fresh produce is hugely reliant on the seasons.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-does-winter-begin-for-you-nbsp">When does winter begin for you?&nbsp;</h3>



<p>The minute the air starts to smell deliciously crisp and fresh in the morning. There’s something about the hilly barren landscape here that is unbeatably beautiful in winter. Everything is colder, and for longer. The snow clings on forever, and new shoots of green come much later than elsewhere. I admire the stubbornness, as if we are fighting to stop the arrival of spring. Most people want to hurry this but I like that we are late to the party on most things. Especially daffodils! We get to enjoy the cold, the peace and the quiet for much longer than most.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-are-your-hot-tips-on-surviving-the-cold-season-nbsp">What are your hot tips on surviving the cold season?&nbsp;</h3>



<p><a href="https://scotland.muddystilettos.co.uk/home/scottish-scented-candles/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Candles</a>. Nothing makes cold dark afternoons more enjoyable than candlelight. And <a href="https://scotland.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/walks/things-to-do-scottish-coastal-walks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stomps outside</a>. Sit in the winter sunshine with a cup of tea and four coats. And wear plenty of woolly layers: Cosy socks and cold red cheeks are an unbeatable mood boosting combination.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-are-your-favourite-places-in-scotland-nbsp">Where are your favourite places in Scotland?&nbsp;</h3>



<p>I love it all! Especially if it involves a blustery winter beach or a woodland walk. Bonus points for delicious food somewhere cosy after. Home is my forever favourite though.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/11/Laura-Edwards.jpg" alt="Flora Shedden Aran Bakery Winter in the Highlands" class="wp-image-1870" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/11/Laura-Edwards.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/11/Laura-Edwards-200x300.jpg 200w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/11/Laura-Edwards-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/11/Laura-Edwards-768x1152.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photograph: Laura Edwards</figcaption></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-do-you-like-to-go-out-to-eat-near-you-nbsp">Where do you like to go out to eat near you?&nbsp;</h3>



<p>I have small children so spend most of my time cooking for them or for other people at the bakery so eating out is a very rare treat.<strong> </strong><a href="https://redwoodwines.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Redwood Wines</strong></a><strong> (12 Bridge St, Dunkeld PH8 0AH)</strong> just a few doors down from the bakery is delicious and I would stop in to<strong> </strong><a href="https://www.thetaybank.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>The Taybank</strong></a><strong> (Tay Terrace, Dunkeld PH8 0AQ)</strong> for a drink.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-would-you-travel-to-for-dinner">Where would you travel to for dinner?</h3>



<p><a href="https://kinneucharinn.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>The Kinneuchar Inn</strong></a><strong> (9-11 Main St, Kilconquhar, Leven KY9 1LF) </strong>is unbeatably delicious!</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-are-your-go-to-comfort-foods-nbsp">What are your go-to comfort foods?&nbsp;</h3>



<p>I think a lot of restorative food is nostalgic by nature. Nothing is more restorative for mind and soul than comforting or soothing memories. Come winter I like plenty of toast dripping with melted butter and salt, very hot tea, bowls full of hearty things such as soups, broths and stews, steaming puddings, and anything cheesy and anything with pastry. The Steamed Lemon Pudding and the Turkey Pie (both in the book) are hugely comforting as is the Oat Soda Bread and the Squash and Apple Soup.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-your-ideal-feast-nbsp">What’s your ideal feast?&nbsp;</h3>



<p>I hosted a winter feast at <a href="https://www.guardswell.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Guardswell Farm</a> to celebrate the book launch and it was pretty close to my dream set up. Lots of candles, lots of lovely clever friends, a big platter of food and plenty of fizz! If it was a complete dream I probably would go all in and cook all the Christmas recipes from the book. Alternatively I would make lots of pies, deliciously buttery greens, sprouts and herbs (I adore sprouts more than anything!), then a huge bowl of the chocolate mousse from the book, ideally served with some poached pears and a swirl of creme fraiche.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1405" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/11/WitH_Fullsize.jpg" alt="Winter in the Highlands Flora Shedden" class="wp-image-1857" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/11/WitH_Fullsize.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/11/WitH_Fullsize-214x300.jpg 214w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/11/WitH_Fullsize-729x1024.jpg 729w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/11/WitH_Fullsize-768x1079.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photograph: Laura Edwards</figcaption></figure>



<p><strong><em><a href="https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/465595/winter-in-the-highlands-by-shedden-flora/9781837833689" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Winter in the Highlands</a></em> by Flora&nbsp;Shedden&nbsp;is out now, published by Quadrille, £26 </strong></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/home/dining-at-home/burns-night-neeps-boulangere-flora-shedden/">Flora Shedden’s Neep Boulangère is perfect for Burns Night</a></li>



<li><a href="https://scotland.muddystilettos.co.uk/lifestyle/wellbeing/coorie-in-nine-ways-to-stay-cosy-this-winter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Coorie in! Nine ways to stay cosy this winter</a></li>



<li><a href="https://scotland.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat/whats-cooking-clare-coghill-cafe-cuil-isle-of-skye/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">What’s cooking? Clare Coghill, Café Cùil, Isle of Skye</a></li>
</ul>


What’s cooking? Flora Shedden, ARAN Bakery, Dunkeld

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