Island Bakery Organic Shortbread Biscuits, Pack of 6

Product Information

Island Bakery would be nothing without its fabulous team. There are about 30 of us working hard to bring Mull’s best biscuits to you. Everyone plays an essential part in ensuring a steady supply of biscuits from Tobermory to the world! Below are the people you might talk to if ringing us - but the people who do the real work are our fantastic squad of biscuiteers, mixing, baking and chocolate dipping.

Winners of the 2017 Nation's Favorite and the 2019 Best Scottish product at our BOOM Awards, for their amazing Lemon Melts Tell us about yourselves – what’s your mission and how did you get started? After a hectic and danger-filled career as a moustachioed plumber-come-kart-racer, Mario retired to the Isle of Mull to take up biscuit making as our Production Manager. Although nothing quite beats the thrill of the rainbow road, his knees just weren't up to bouncing on mushrooms and tortoises any more. Island Bakery Biscuits have made a name for themselves by marrying traditional baking techniques with innovative, mouth-watering flavours. Each biscuit is baked to perfection, using only the finest organic ingredients, to create the perfect balance between texture and taste. We are proud of our purpose-built factory, which runs entirely on local, sustainable sources of renewable energy, and provides year round employment for islanders where many jobs tend to be seasonal. Being organic is just one element of the company ethos of being as environmentally sensitive as possible. Being on a west coast island brings a steady supply of wet and windy weather which can be used to generate energy!Island Bakery is an organic biscuit bakery in Tobermory. Founded by Joe and Dawn Reade in 1994 the business originally made bread and cakes. They began making a small range of biscuits in 2001, and in 2012 built a purpose built new bakery that harnesses local sources of renewable and sustainable energy from wind, wood and water. A few things! I’m concerned about the power of supermarkets and their effect on the sustainability of small family farms and their ability to stay in business. When they go, we risk losing their knowledge, skill and the good stewardship of the land that comes when generations have farmed it. I fear that this will result in bigger and bigger scale farming and increasing reliance on imports. We believe organically grown food is better quality, free from pesticide or fertiliser residues, and richer in nutrients. Of course, our biscuits are quite indulgent and far from being a health food, so should be enjoyed in moderation nonetheless! The Island Bakery premises are not open to the public, but we do now have an honesty shop just outside. It is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! Embark on a taste journey to the heart of the Scottish Isles with Island Bakery Biscuits. Nestled on the idyllic Isle of Mull, this charming bakery crafts a unique variety of biscuits that encapsulate the essence of the Scottish Highlands and the tranquil seaside.

Recent studies have shown that organic foods have much higher levels of antioxidants and other good nutrients than conventional crops, and none of the chemicals which are routinely applied to them. We wanted to do something that could balance out the seasonal fluctuations, and we thought that the best way to do that would be to launch a range of biscuits that could travel off the island and that would have a long enough shelf life to reach customers beyond our island base. We are Joe & Dawn Reade. We met at the University of Edinburgh in the 1990’s, and after graduating, we moved to the very lovely Isle of Mull, where Joe grew up on a dairy farm. Our business evolved over the years from just the two of us baking bread in Joe’s brother’s garage when we began, to concentrating solely on baking organic biscuits as we do now.The best selling biscuits are Lemon Melts, which have a loyal fan base, but there is something for everyone in our range. Recently, savoury biscuits have been added to the product selection. For special occasions, there are also tins of shortbread with 4 flavour combinations – Classic; Date & Walnut; Cranberry, Orange & Pecan; and Choc Chip, Peanut & Toffee. You should find a selection of most of our products there, but there occasionally ‘Bakery Boo Boos!’ are on offer. These are biscuits that have gone a little below our best quality – they could be too small, too big, mis-shaped, or have too little or even too much chocolate! Joe & Dawn Reade were fresh-faced and naïve young graduates of the University of Edinburgh when they started baking bread in a converted garage in Tobermory in 1994. The local baker was retiring, and the islanders needed someone to keep them in lovely fresh loaves.

In 2012 we moved into a purpose-built new factory with a wood powered oven, and local renewable electricity. In our first year of business, we won a Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust Award and attended a ceremony in Inverness to receive it. The event was attended by lots of business dignitaries, and although I still don’t know who it was that gave us the advice, but we still remember it today.

The biscuit range offered by Island Bakery is not only diverse but also imbued with local charm. From the warming spice of ginger to the tangy allure of lemon, each variety offers a unique experience. Whether you're a fan of the classic shortbread or prefer a chocolate-infused treat, there's a biscuit to suit every palate. What Are The Most Popular Products from Island Bakery? Our mission in setting up our business was to find a way to support ourselves to live on the Isle of Mull, and that remains very much the case as we love it here! The business has transformed itself from the early days, but we have built something that everyone working with us can be proud of, as well as sending lots of biscuit ambassadors for the island out into the big world! Brexit is a huge concern, from a personal as well as business standpoint. For the business, we expect many of our ingredients prices will increase, and it’s a worry that the ease of trade and associated costs for both imports and exports will become more complex. If you could only switch to one organic item what would it be and why? First and foremost it is Island Bakery’s mission to make biscuits that taste brilliant! Whilst you may have appreciated their deliciousness, it may have escaped your notice that our biscuits are organic. We hope not. Being organic is only part of the picture for us. Our new factory building is powered entirely with local sources of renewable energy. Electricity for the building is generated both by a hydro-electric turbine on the neighbouring Tobermory river, and a single wind turbine set on a hill above the bakery. Our unique ovens are heated using local wood chip from Mull’s abundant timber plantations. This is not only environmentally sustainable but the gentle heat gives the biscuits a slow, perfect bake.