Porridge chieftain and 12-year-old girl share coveted tattie scone crown at Taste of Nairn

A porridge chieftain and a 12-year-old girl have shared the coveted tattie scone crown at a food and drink festival.

Would-be world champions battled it out as they put their own twist on a staple of Scottish breakfasts in the Tattie Scone World Championships at Taste of Nairn over the weekend.

It is the sixth time the three-day food and drink festival has been held, and the competition was so fierce that the judges couldn’t decide on a winner.

Alan Rankin, Chieftain of the Golden Spurtle World Porridge Making Championship, came joint first with 12-year-old Lucie Roger – who scooped the prize despite it being her first time making a potato scone.

“I had a fantastic time and it was very good, I had a good laugh,” Lucie, from Forres, said.

“I’m really happy that I was joint first place. I never expected that, as I had never tried making a tattie scone before.”

Alan’s joint-winning dish, Tattoaty Scone, combined the traditional tattie scone with a mix of roasted oats, rough-cut oats, and a hint of a secret ingredient.

“As Chieftain of the Carrbridge based Golden Spurtle World Porridge Making Championships, I know how much dedication and hard work goes into organising a successful food championship,” he said.

“I would like to congratulate and thank the organisers, volunteers, and competitors for creating such wonderful enjoyable atmosphere throughout the day.

“Both our events are based around our communities relying on support of local businesses, sponsors and volunteers. It was wonderful to see so many people come together to celebrate Scottish food traditions in such a welcoming setting.”

“We look forward to welcoming the Tattie Scone organisers and competitors to The Golden Spurtle on October 3 in Carrbridge.”

Lucy Harding, manager of Nairn BID which organises the event, said: “Taste of Nairn is now well established, and this year’s event has been a huge success.

“The sun shone for the street market which saw the town’s businesses spilling out onto the street to join the traders who came from around the region. It was great to see so many businesses getting involved and creating their own events or offers.

“The events we create really are done through teamwork and support from the whole community.”