Walkers Baker History, Torphins, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

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Walkers Shortbread

- Courtesy and thanks to Walkers Shortbread -

Walker Graigour Road Bakery

The Walkers story begins over a hundred years ago in 1898, when the twenty-one year old Joseph Walker opened the doors of his own bakery at Bridge Crescent in Torphins with a loan of £ 50 and the dream of making the finest shortbread in the world.

Present Bakery Building

In the first year of business, Joseph used every spare moment to perfect his shortbread recipe, and it was time well spent. Soon, shooting parties from the local estates were making detours to Joseph's bakery.

Walker Bridge Crescent Building

As his fame spread, and demand increased for his quality shortbread, Joseph took the first steps to expanding the business by moving to a larger shop in the Speyside village of Aberlour and investing in a horse and cart to deliver his baking further afield.

By the 1970s, Joseph's grandchildren had begun exporting Walkers shortbread to over 60 countries around the world - still baking to his original recipe. Within a decade, they won the first of three Queen's Awards for Export Achievement - the highest accolade given to British exporters.

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