Discover the top 50 Scottish take-home food and drink brands in Scotland 2024 (excluding alcohol)
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- IRN BRU
Irn-Bru’s standout Euros campaign has helped Scotland’s other national drink to once again top the Kantar/Scottish Grocer table as the top non-alcoholic take-home food and drink brand in the country.
2. GRAHAM’S
Producing high-quality, natural dairy goods that serves communities across Scotland has been a priority for Graham’s The Family Dairy ever since the business began back in 1939.
3. SIMON HOWIE
It’s been another busy year for Scottish butcher Simon Howie, with the brand growing its presence through sustainability and charity initiatives, among other things.
A £3.7million eco project went live at the Perthshire business after two years of planning and a tricky installation process. But the 3,800 solar panels and 2.3MW, 104m-high wind turbine are now operational – and are set to generate 120% of the energy needed by the Dunning firm going forward.
Brand director Clair Howison believes Simon Howie appeals to consumers north of the border because it is a proud Scottish business, based in the heart of Scotland, working hard to make quality products at affordable prices.
Visit the Simon Howie website | Follow Simon Howie on Instagram | Follow Simon Howie on Facebook
4. MCGHEE’S
THE family bakers’ ethos, along with the nostalgic classics it offers among more than 60 SKUs listed with the country’s supermarkets and c-store chains, has ensured McGhee’s a top-of-the-table listing.
Indeed, the brand has gone from strength to strength during the course of its near 90-year history and McGhee’s says this is because certain elements have remained constant as the business has been passed through the generations.
The bakers claims it has always provided customers with quality, value-for-money products.
Visit the McGhee’s website | Follow McGhee’s on Instagram | Follow McGhee’s on Facebook
5. BELLS FOOD GROUP
A relationship built up over generations with consumers, who have come to love and
trust the quality and value of Bells Food Group’s pies, is one of the reasons it remains a top five performer with Kantar.
Making a staggering 500,000 pies a week, Bells is able to claim to be the No.1 pie brand in Scotland and, already, the No.2 pie brand in the UK.
Top if its core range, of course, is the iconic Scotch Pie, which also comes in a “Wee” variant for snacking.
Alongside these, there are Macaroni Cheese, Chicken Curry, Steak & Gravy and Steak & Haggis shell pies.
Visit Bell’s website | Follow Bell’s on Instagram | Follow Bell’s on Facebook
6. TUNNOCK’S
Bosses at Scottish chocolate biscuit maker Tunnock’s have expressed their gratitude to households and retailers across Scotland who have faith in the brand.
7. BAXTERS
The Baxters brand has been synonymous with quality food products since 1868, which are now loved and enjoyed the world over, claims the company.
8. MALCOLM ALLAN
With a commitment to quality and customer service, it has been another successful year
for Malcolm Allan.
9. MCINTOSH
The decision by Strathmore Foods to focus fully on ready meals is clearly paying off, with its McIntosh of Strathmore brand achieving top 10 status in the Scottish brands table for
the 12th consecutive year.
10. MACKIE’S OF SCOTLAND
The Aberdeenshire firm reckons the brand resonates with Scottish consumers due to the high-quality natural ingredients that are used, which contribute to the distinct and rich taste of the ice cream.
11. JG ROSS
Offering a selection of baked goods including savoury pies as well as sweet cakes and biscuits, JG Ross has sustained its success from 2023 and remains at place number 11 on Kantar’s top 50.
12. SERIOUSLY
Made, cut and packed all in a factory in Stranraer, the brand maintains its close ties to the local farming community to allow it to source high-quality Scottish milk to make the best cheddar it can.
13. BARR SOFT DRINKS
With classic options to choose from, such as its Cola, Lemonade, Limeade and Cream Soda variants, to the more outlandish flavours of Bubblegum and Shandy, there really is a
flavour out there for everyone.
14. HIGHLAND SPRING
Scottish water is considered to be among the best in the world. So to be the Scots’ top pick of the bottled water brands only serves as a testament to the quality found in every bottle of Highland Spring water.
15. GALLOWAY CHEDDAR
Rising up four places this year, the cheese brand has been firing on all cylinders in 2024, with support for food surplus charity FareShare that saw the brand work with Scottish chef Gary Maclean to donate the equivalent of 90,000 meals.
16. SCOTTY BRAND
Known for its wholesome homegrown foods, Scotty Brand has expanded its range of options this year with the launch of its new Beetroot Crisps in a range of flavours consisting of Thai Sweet Chilli, Lime & Coriander and Cheese & Onion.
17. ALBERT BARTLETT
The brand’s deep-rooted heritage and family-owned status continues to resonate with consumers, ensuring shoppers remain familiar with the brand and its range.
18. WE HAE MEAT
When it comes to meat products in stores, it’s hard for consumers to say no to the quality farm-to-fork options. This traceability has certainly worked well for this Girvan-based brand which has been sure to stay well engaged with consumers throughout the year.
19. BORDER BISCUITS
In a bid to mark its 40th birthday year, the brand has taken plenty of opportunities to thank its consumers and the communities that have played a key part in its journey.
20. HALLS
Best known for its Wee Willy Winkie Sausages, the ever-popular with kids sausages continue to make up plenty of meals for the nation’s growing youth.
21. NAIRN’S
The company has also been expanding its range in recent years to incorporate more gluten-free options into its offer and so deliver for shoppers with dietary restrictions.
22. MACB
The flavoured water brand hasn’t been shy on getting itself out there in 2024, with a year packed to the brim with marketing activity during key occasions such as the back-to-school period.
23. TAYLORS
Rising up by 21 places on Kantar’s list for 2024, this is an impressive feat, considering
that the brand was only established as Taylors Snacks in 2023 after the firm bought out its shares from Mackie’s at Taypack.
24. BIG & SCOTTISH
An attractive price and variety of options has seen Glenrath-owned egg brand Big and Scottish skyrocket up 11 places this year.
25. MRS TILLY’S
While every consumer in Scotland has a story about Scottish tablet made by their
grandmothers, Mrs Tilly’s has been able to successfully capture that magic in a box with its Famous Scottish Tablet.
26. HIGHLAND GAME
Offering quality and tradition direct to consumers’ plates, Highland Game has seen another successful year, rising up a further seven places from 2023.
27. BUCHANAN’S
Offering an expansive range of options from its ever-popular Dark Chocolate Fondant Peppermint Creams and Iron Brew Pastilles, to classics such as Mint Crumbles and Treacle Toffee, there’s something for every sweet-toothed consumer to enjoy.
28. TARBERT FINE FOODS
Offering a range of high quality cooked meats and fish has, once again, kept Tarbert Fine Foods afloat in Kantar’s top 50 countdown this year.
29. BROWNINGS
Whether it’s for something savoury with The Famous Kilmarnock Pie, or a something a bit sweeter, Brownings the Bakers has been a household name in Scotland for some time.
30. SCOTT’S PORAGE OATS
Up by four places this year, Scott’s Porage Oats continues to be a strong performer for consumers’ morning meals.
31. ROWAN GLEN
While the product itself has certainly delivered for the Rowan Glen brand, the firm has also made a series of impactful advancements from its home base in its commitment to sustainability.
32. PATERSON’S
With more than 129 years of experience in the field, Paterson’s is a well-kent brand across Scotland and remains at the forefront of consumers’ minds as a trusted product that delivers on taste and quality.
33. MARSHALLS
Complete with Scottish themed packaging, Marshalls Macaroni has become an absolute Scottish staple, making up plenty of macaroni and cheese dinners for consumers across the whole of Scotland for plenty of years now.
34. MACKAYS
Operating from its factory in Arbroath, Mackays continues to use its traditional methods of bringing fruit and sugar slowly to the boil in copper pans, allowing the flavours to be released before it gradually sets into preserves.
35. BLISS
The firm’s Whip Bars come in a range of flavours including Dark Choc & Raspberry, Dark Choc & Coconut, Salted Caramel and White Choc & Lemon, with many flavours containing fewer than 80 calories each.
36. ORKNEY CHEDDAR
Made using fresh milk from island cows, Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar has a heritage and provenance that many consumers in Scotland are looking for.
37. MRS UNIS
Indian cuisine brand Mrs Unis believes Scottish consumers recognise the care that the business gives to the quality, taste and authenticity of its handmade products.
The brand aims to make its products as genuine and close to traditional recipes as possible, to enhance the flavour.
Mrs Unis Spicy Foods general manager Mumtaz Unis also believes customers are attracted to the story behind the Edinburgh-based brand.
Mrs Unis funded the business as a takeaway initially and this allowed her to have first-hand contact with customers and create long-lasting relationships.
Visit Mrs Unis website | Follow Mrs Unis on Facebook
38. GLENRATH
First established in 1959 by John and Cathy Campbell, Glenrath Farms continues to produce a range of eggs in the Borders that have remained popular with Scottish consumers.
39. GENIUS
From crisp, toasted Tiger Bloomers to soft, fluffy Scotch Pancakes, Genius products have been a staple of store shelves and saviours to those with gluten intolerance for 15 years.
40. SIMMERS
Known for its Scotch Abernethy and Butter Biscuits, Simmers’ biscuits are still made from the brand’s factory in Edinburgh.
41. MACSWEEN OF EDINBURGH
When it comes to haggis, Macsween is a name that springs to mind, given the company’s reputation as a top-quality manufacturer of this iconic Scottish product.
42. SCOTTISH BLEND
Made with consumers from north of the border in mind, Scottish Blend claims its tea is specially created for mixing with our glorious water.
43. DEAN’S
Bakery firm Dean’s regards itself as a leading premium manufacturer of shortbread, biscuits and other hand-baked products.
44. LEES OF SCOTLAND
Updated packaging rolled out across both Lees’ Teacakes and Snowballs packs, ensuring the pair had a more bold look and increased overall standout on shelf.
45. STOATS
Offering both a range catering to adults as well as kids with its Stoaters selection, the bars consist of a variety of fruit flavours including the likes of Raspberry & Honey, Blueberry & Honey, Orange & Dark Chocolate and Apple & Cinnamon.
46. PUNJAB PAKORA
Launching from a small fish and chip shop in Ayr back in 2013, Punjab Pakora has become a familiar name to many Indian food fans in Scotland.
47. HAMLYNS OF SCOTLAND
Oats are a staple in Scottish households and Hamlyns of Scotland says its focus on maintaining the highest standards and sustainability means customers can enjoy its products with confidence.
48. SCOTTISH FAVOURITES
The brand’s range consists of frozen ready meals that are quick and easy to prepare, with cooking times from seven to eight and a half minutes.
49. STOCKAN’S
WHOLEGRAIN oats, Orkney island water and traditional baking skills are what makes its Scottish savoury biscuits special, according to Stockan’s.
50. MACLEAN’S (HIGHLAND BAKERY)
THE Maclean family have baked in Scotland for four generations, with co-founder Campbell moving his family from Lewis to Forres in 1978.
