August 13th 2024.
From the moment he was able to stand on his own two feet, Finlay Macdonald was drawn to the warmth and comfort of the kitchen. With his granny as his trusted guide, he would climb onto a stool and help her prepare scones for their family. Those early memories of baking and cooking with his beloved grannies have always been a source of joy for Finlay.
He fondly recalls how both of his grannies were exceptional cooks and would patiently teach him the ways of the kitchen when he was just a wee lad. Together, they would whip up delicious meals and cakes for the family to enjoy around the table. These experiences instilled in Finlay a strong association between food and happy times spent with loved ones, a bond that has stayed with him into adulthood.
One particular memory that stands out for Finlay is when his granny taught him how to make scones at a very young age. He fell in love with the process and from then on, his passion for baking only grew stronger. Little did he know that this would be the start of his journey towards becoming one of Scotland's youngest chocolatiers in 2016.
In high school, Finlay began to sell homemade bread to his teachers and classmates. He also had the opportunity to work in a pastry kitchen where he discovered his love for making chocolates. Despite being accepted into university, Finlay decided to follow his heart and pursue his dream of creating delectable treats. At the age of 25, he now runs his own artisan business called Chocolates of Glenshiel, producing over 32,000 chocolates a month for satisfied customers in Skye.
Finlay has always been drawn to the world of entrepreneurship. In high school, he started his own bread business, spending his evenings baking batches of bread to sell for a couple of pounds. It wasn't just about the money for Finlay, but rather the sheer joy of baking and sharing his creations with others.
His interest in chocolatiering began when he used his pocket money to buy some moulds and started watching YouTube videos to learn the basics. With determination and hard work, he gradually honed his skills and when he finished school, he decided to stay in his beloved home of Glenshiel rather than leave for university.
Starting in his parents' kitchen, Finlay eventually moved to a cabin in the garden before finally converting an old petrol station in Glenshiel into his own chocolate-making haven. The inspiration for his unique flavors comes from the beautiful surroundings of Glenshiel and the Scottish Highlands, where he and his team constantly discover new ingredients and flavors to incorporate into their chocolates.
As a proud Scot, Finlay is passionate about using only the best Scottish ingredients in his chocolates. From sea salt from the Isle of Skye to raspberries from Blairgowrie and coffee from Inverness, he is uncompromising when it comes to quality. Even the elderflowers he finds while walking his dog in the local village of Glenelg make their way into some of his Scottish gin chocolates.
One of his most eyebrow-raising creations is the Haggis Spice bar. Finlay understands why some may find the combination of chocolate and haggis to be an unlikely pairing, but he assures skeptics that it is a truly delicious blend. Made with high-quality dark chocolate and spices such as nutmeg, mace, coriander seed, black pepper, and Isle of Skye sea salt, it's a unique and tasty treat for the adventurous palate.
Although the Haggis Spice bar may raise a few eyebrows, Finlay's most popular chocolate is the heather honey and raspberry flavor. The tartness of the raspberry perfectly complements the sweetness and warmth of the heather honey, encased in creamy white chocolate for a truly heavenly experience.
For those looking to indulge in Finlay's delectable chocolates, they can find them in his shop, Chocolates of Glenshiel, or subscribe to Scottish Field to read more about his creations. Finlay's passion for food, his love for his home in Glenshiel, and his dedication to using the best Scottish ingredients all come together to create truly delicious and memorable chocolates.
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