Rise in Scotland's artisan bakery scene drives new tourism trend

Over the past three years, the country's reputation as a destination for exceptional food and drink has continued to build. Now, online searches for Scottish bakeries have significantly increased as people indulge their appetites for authentic, local experiences.

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According to VisitScotland insights and search engine data, online search terms such as “bakery Scotland” have grown by 55% between 2023 and 2025.

Amid a surge in interest in finer breads, cakes, buns and pastries, long-standing bakeries such as Glasgow’s Cottonrake have expanded production and opened a cafe; Baern in Fife’s Bowhouse is going from strength to strength and remote bakeries, such as Cereal in Tongue, have received national recognition.

Meanwhile, searches for “bakery Edinburgh Scotland” have soared from and average of 170 a month in 2023 to 590 in 2024 and 1,600 in 2025.

The trend highlights Edinburgh’s emergence as a ‘bakery hub’, with visitors eager to sample its vibrant café culture and artisanal offerings.

One bakery that’s become a social media sensation is Lannan in Edinburgh’s Stockbridge. The bakery, which was opened in 2023 by Darcie Maher, has won multiple awards and accolades since it opened, including the Pastry Opening of the Year at La Liste's 2024 World Pastry Awards.

Back in June, we reported that Lannan had become so popular that the bakery has engaged a “queue warden” to manage its waiting customers as parents from a local primary school warned crowds are forcing children onto the road. Queues for the bakery often start to form hours before it opens, with the shop regularly sold out by lunchtime, with most of this demand coming from the business’s strong social media presence.

In Stirling, Texy Vera-Lawson, owner of Vera Bakery in Stirling, said she had noticed a rise in people travelling specifically in search for “great baking” over the past few years.

She said: What we’re seeing at Vera isn’t an isolated success story, there’s a genuine appetite for distinctive bakeries across Scotland. Visitors are seeking out places that offer craft, care and a strong sense of place, and bakeries manage to deliver all of that in a single experience.

"We’re incredibly proud of the recognition our team has received, including recent awards that have really helped put us on the map but what means just as much is hearing the stories from customers who plan their trips around stopping in. We’ve welcomed visitors from all around the world, and we’re often told about Scots travelling from other cities just to visit us here in Stirling.

"At the same time, it’s no secret that it’s been a challenging period for the baking industry. Rising ingredient and operating costs have put real pressure on independent businesses. But the surge of interest in Scottish bakeries has given us a huge lift. That connection with visitors and their willingness to support local makers is a big part of what keeps us going.”

While people are searching for where to find perfect artisanal baking, a rise in dietary-specific searches has also been recorded, with “wheat free bakery Scotland” increasing by 800% and “gluten free bakery Scotland” up by 75% since 2023, demonstrating Scotland’s commitment to catering for diverse tastes and requirements.

As the nights close in and we move into winter, making the most of the day with a trip out for a baked treat appears to be on the agenda for more people. The national tourism organisation's own website, VisitScotland.com has also seen a surge in searches and page visits to bakery content.

While searches for organised experiences like “bakery hopping”, “bakery trail”, and “bakery tour” have remained steady, the increased interest for individual bakeries suggests that self-guided bakery tourism is gaining traction.

This growth has inspired a new VisitScotland.com webpage dedicated to the rising trend, 12 Delicious Bakeries to Try in Scotland, which shines a spotlight on standout businesses, with the guide also including ARAN in Dunkeld, Twelve Triangles in Edinburgh and Melrose, Bostock in North Berwick and East Linton,Bandit Bakery in Aberdeen and KJ’s Bothy Bakery in Grantown-on-Spey.

Another growing branch of Scottish bakeries is the network of honesty boxes dotted across the country.

These un-manned roadside sheds, bunkers and hutches can be loaded with a variety of cakes, eggs, preserves and snacks for passes-by to enjoy. The honesty part comes from owners trusting customers to leave the correct money for their treats.

Jill Walker, VisitScotland director of marketing, said: "Tasting local food and drink is always high on visitors’ wish lists, and we’re seeing a growing interest in Scotland’s bakery scene, with more people seeking out unique, locally made breads, pastries, and sweet treats.

"Supporting these businesses matters—it keeps traditional baking skills alive, celebrates our food heritage, reduces food miles, and brings real benefits to the communities where these bakeries thrive.

"And with Christmas on the horizon, what better place to coorie in than one of Scotland's beautiful bakeries."

Scottish bakeries have been the subject of national ‘best of lists’ including The Good Food Guide, which named nine bakeries in their UK-wide guide and Britain’s Best Bakeries book, by Milly Kenny-Ryder, which is being rereleased for 2026 and includes 21 new Scottish bakeries.

For more inspiration and to plan your own bakery break, visit: 12 Delicious Bakeries To Try in Scotland | VisitScotland