Our Story
A passion and a talent for baking has always been in the Maclean family.
For many years the Maclean family were part of the Stag Bakery in Stornoway on the Western Isles, before moving to Forres in 1978 to take over the then named Bakery James Thain.
Using only the best locally sourced quality ingredients, Maclean’s Highland Bakery quickly gained a renowned reputation, and it wasn’t long before customers were literally queuing out the door to taste our fresh bakes just out of the oven.
Since then, we’ve opened a number of successful shops throughout the region, as well as moving to a new Bakery facility in 2004 on the outskirts of Forres. With an increasing customer base, it was at this time that the business rebranded adding the word Highland to the Company name.
As recognition of the incredible quality of our bakery products, we’re also honoured to have won a number of prestigious National and Regional awards.
Awards
Great Taste - 14 Awards
40 years later...
Now, over 40 years later, with a business employing over 100 people, and our goods exporting to all four corners of the world, including Australia, China, Denmark, USA, New Zealand and Canada, Maclean’s Highland Bakery is proud to be a huge success story within our local community.
The business may have grown considerably since our first bakery shop opened in 1978, but our passion for baking delicious shortbreads, biscuits and oatcakes remains at the heart of everything that we do!
Passion
Local Produce
Award Winning
Worldwide
The Team
Mrs Margaret Maclean
The head of the Clan, and still very much the leader and First Lady President of Scottish Bakers 1992.
Very much the public face of Macleans Bakery when she worked in the shop with a great team of girls, she is still referred to as Mrs Maclean by all who worked for her.
Little unknown fact…
Mrs Maclean was born in New Zealand and only came back to Scotland because of World War Two.
Mrs Carol Shewan
The eldest of the three children. From an early age Carol always was very artistic and was able to transfer these skills onto the Cakes she produced.
She was the driving force to be one of the first Bakeries in Scotland to use roll out icing for Celebration Cakes. Multi skilled, she could work with her dad or her mother at any given time.
Little unknown fact…
Carol found love with a rival baker owner Graham Shewan from Findhorn. You know what they say if you cant beat them join them!
Ronald Maclean
Officially the longest serving employee at the Bakery, Ronald has been here since the very first day we opened in 1978. Started his bakery apprentice in Stornoway and finished his training in Forres.
Ronald has worked in all parts of the business before taking charge of our transport. Ronald likes nothing better than being in the van and meeting customers for a chat.
Little unknown fact…
for younger customers, is that he used to be in charge of serving our busy night service on a Friday night, up the famous Bakers close.
Lewis Maclean
The youngest but not the quietest, Lewis is just behind his brother when it comes to the longest serving member of staff, as his first three years were just part time whilst he was still at school.
Lewis liked nothing better than working in the bakery and despite not in production any more, likes nothing better than going into the bakery on a Saturday morning to do some new product development.
Little unknown fact…
Lewis is into his fitness and in 2015 completed his first full Ironman. We say “first” as he has another planned for his 60th Birthday.
Mrs Margaret Maclean
The head of the Clan, and still very much the leader and First Lady President of Scottish Bakers 1992.
Very much the public face of Macleans Bakery when she worked in the shop with a great team of girls, she is still referred to as Mrs Maclean by all who worked for her.
Little unknown fact…
Mrs Maclean was born in New Zealand and only came back to Scotland because of World War Two.
Mrs Carol Shewan
The eldest of the three children. From an early age Carol always was very artistic and was able to transfer these skills onto the Cakes she produced.
She was the driving force to be one of the first Bakeries in Scotland to use roll out icing for Celebration Cakes. Multi skilled, she could work with her dad or her mother at any given time.
Little unknown fact…
Carol found love with a rival baker owner Graham Shewan from Findhorn. You know what they say if you cant beat them join them!
Ronald Maclean
Officially the longest serving employee at the Bakery, Ronald has been here since the very first day we opened in 1978. Started his bakery apprentice in Stornoway and finished his training in Forres.
Ronald has worked in all parts of the business before taking charge of our transport. Ronald likes nothing better than being in the van and meeting customers for a chat.
Little unknown fact…
for younger customers, is that he used to be in charge of serving our busy night service on a Friday night, up the famous Bakers close.
Lewis Maclean
The youngest but not the quietest, Lewis is just behind his brother when it comes to the longest serving member of staff, as his first three years were just part time whilst he was still at school.
Lewis liked nothing better than working in the bakery and despite not in production any more, likes nothing better than going into the bakery on a Saturday morning to do some new product development.
Little unknown fact…
Lewis is into his fitness and in 2015 completed his first full Ironman. We say “first” as he has another planned for his 60th Birthday.
Our Locations
