The Event
A one-day, world-first championship dedicated to shortbread — Scotland's most iconic biscuit — staged in Inverness.
The Story
The World Shortbread Championships brings together bakers from across the globe for a celebration of the biscuit Scotland gave the world. From traditional petticoat tails made with three ingredients to specialist creations that push the form, every entry is on display, on the tongue, and at the judging table.
Hosted in Inverness in the Highlands, the championship is built around fair, transparent judging — blind to the panel, weighted 75% expert and 25% public — and a generous, welcoming day for spectators.
Our Objective
To crown the world's first World Shortbread Champion — and, along the way, to raise the profile of an iconic Scottish biscuit, give amateur and professional bakers a single stage to compete on, and make a generous day for the public who taste, vote, and turn up.
The Day in Full
10:30 — 15:00 · Saturday 21st November 2026.
- 10:30 Doors open — public tastings begin, all entries on display with ingredient panels.
- 11:00 Judging gets underway across the Professional, Amateur and Young Baker categories.
- 14:30 Category winners announced — Professional, Amateur and Young Baker, in Traditional and Specialist.
- 14:55 The inaugural World Shortbread Champion is revealed.
- 15:00 Event closes.
The Venue
The championship is staged at Inverness Leisure — a single, accessible Highland venue with space for display, judging, public tasting and the awards ceremony, all under one roof.
Full travel, parking and accessibility information is published closer to the date.
Allergens & Accessibility
Every entry on display carries an ingredient and allergen panel. Public tasting samples are labelled so visitors with allergies, intolerances or dietary needs can browse the championship floor safely and confidently.
Inverness Leisure is a step-free venue with accessible toilets, a Changing Places facility, and parking close to the entrance. Full accessibility detail — including BSL provision and quiet-time slots — is published closer to the event.
Brought to you by High Life Highland
The championships are organised by High Life Highland, the charity behind libraries, leisure, archives and culture across the Highlands. Bringing this event to Inverness is part of HLH's mission to put the Highlands on the map for the things it does best.
Frequently asked questions
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Where and when is the World Shortbread Championships?
The inaugural championships take place on Saturday 21 November 2026 in the Highlands of Scotland. Full venue details are published as event day approaches. -
Can international visitors attend?
Yes — the championships welcome bakers and spectators from around the world. Tickets are available via the Watch page once on sale. -
Will allergens be clearly labelled?
Every entry on display carries an ingredient and allergen panel. Public tasting samples are labelled so visitors with allergies can browse safely. -
Is the venue accessible?
Yes. Full accessibility information — step-free access, accessible toilets, parking — is published here closer to the date.