Highland Shortbread Showdown – search on for best shortbread in Caithness

Venture North and Visit Dornoch are calling on local operators in Caithness and Sutherland to enter the Highland Shortbread Showdown (HSS).

HSS is a competition for tourism businesses across the Highlands to enter their version of the region’s favourite biscuit for the chance to be crowned the ultimate winner. The competition has been launched by Visit Inverness Loch Ness (VILN).

VILN, the Tourism Business Improvement District for Inverness and Loch Ness, is bringing together fellow Destination Management Organisations (DMOs) across the Highlands to involve business members within the region that have "wonderful baking skills" to take part in HSS. The competition is part of a wider food and drink strategy to promote the Highlands as a foodie destination.

Member businesses from eight DMOs across the Highlands – Visit Moray Speyside; Visit Cairngorms; VisitNairn; Visit Dornoch; Venture North; Outdoor Capital of the UK; Skye Connect and Visit Inverness Loch Ness – have until February 6 to register their interest online at www.visitinvernesslochness.com/shortbread-showdown

At this stage, each of the eight DMOs will contact their members who have entered the competition to advise on how the shortbread will be judged locally. The format of each local heat of the Highland Shortbread Showdown will be at the discretion of each DMO and will result in three member businesses going through from their region to the grand final, to be held at Inverness Cathedral on March 25.

Cathy Earnshaw, Venture North’s Destination Manager, said: “This is an opportunity for the tourism businesses across the region to showcase their talent, whilst promoting the destination’s renowned food and drink offer. We love the concept and who doesn’t love some friendly, Highland rivalry.

“Whether shortbread is your forte, something totally new, or maybe you’ve been waiting to recreate an old family recipe – we encourage businesses from across Caithness and Sutherland to sign up and see if your shortbread can take the title. The showdown finale in Inverness will be a great way for visitors and locals alike to taste and experience produce from around the Highlands and enjoy the exciting competition.”

A recipe book of all the shortbread recipes that entered HSS will be on sale at the final event at Inverness Cathedral to raise funds for Highland Hospice and there will be fundraising activity during all of the local heats for the charity.

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