Bid for the Scottish morning roll to be given Unesco status

But now the humble morning roll could join the Parisian baguette and Neapolitan pizza on a distinguished list of the world’s most cherished delicacies.

The Scottish Greens have backed a campaign to give the Scottish morning roll UNESCO status.

Glasgow Southside MSP Holly Bruce has lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament celebrating the history of the morning roll, its cultural significance and working class heritage.

She is also backing food historian Peter Gilchrist’s campaign to have it recognised internationally.

Ms Bruce said: “Many of the best days begin with a morning roll, just as the best nights out end with one

“It is an iconic Scottish product that has been treasured for generations and woven into the fabric of everyday life across the country. I’m really proud to be backing the call for it to have UNESCO status.

“The morning roll is part of Scotland’s story. It has been part of our breakfasts, our bakeries, our communities and our traditions for hundreds of years — and it has been around longer than France has had the baguette.

“Scotland has given the world many great things, and the morning roll deserves its moment in the spotlight. It is time we celebrated this great Scottish institution properly and gave it the recognition it deserves.”

Ms Bruce’s Glasgow Southside constituency is renowned for its vibrant food scene.

She added: “I’m proud to represent Glasgow Southside, which is the brunch capital of Scotland. From cafes to delis and snack vans to restaurants, we’ve got no shortage of great brunch spots, all of which are enhanced by the humble but soft and crispy Scottish morning roll.”

Whether filled with square sausage, potato scone or black pudding, the morning roll has been a staple breakfast ingredient for millions of Scots through the years.

Food historian Peter Gilchrist said: “Morning rolls have sustained Scotland’s people for half a millennium.

“Every community has their favourite bakery, their favourite filling and their favourite cafe. Everyone I’ve met has stories of morning rolls.

“If the French can be proud of their baguette, then we can be proud of our own working class bread, whether soft, crispy, well-fired or buttery. There’s a roll for every Scot."

UNESCO defines living heritage as "the practices, expressions, knowledge and skills that communities recognise as part of their cultural heritage, transmitted from generation to generation and constantly recreated in response to their environment".

Entries for the register can include social practices, nature, land and spirituality, sports and games and culinary practices.

Morning roll enthusiasts in the west of Scotland were dealt a blow in 2023 when bakery Morton’s Rolls was set to shut.

The firm’s crispy roll - which is consumed in its millions every week - could have been lost.

But following an online petition and the potential closure being raised in the Scottish Parliament, the firm was bought out of administration and production was restarted.

The potential closure had forced shops, news agents, fish and chip shops and restaurants to search for alternatives.