High Life Highland has unveiled a Scottish baking institution as the headline sponsor of the first-ever World Shortbread Championships, as spectator tickets officially go on sale for the landmark event.
Kirkcaldy-based Carr’s Flour Mills, whose milling heritage stretches back almost 200 years, has signed on as headline sponsor of the inaugural Championships, which will take place at Inverness Leisure on Saturday 21 November 2026.
Trusted by generations of professional and home bakers alike, Carr’s Flour Mills has built a reputation for quality and consistency, making it a natural partner for an event dedicated to celebrating one of Scotland’s most iconic baked products.
Organised and hosted by High Life Highland, the World Shortbread Championships will bring together professional, amateur and junior bakers from across Scotland, the UK and beyond to compete for the title of the world’s finest shortbread maker.
Through competition, tasting experiences, educational activities, public participation and expert judging, the event aims to establish itself as a flagship celebration of Scottish baking and a major addition to the country’s food and drink calendar.
Allan Burns, Sales & Marketing Director, Carr’s Flour Mills, said, “We are absolutely delighted to be headline sponsor of the first ever World Shortbread Championships. Shortbread is one of Scotland’s best loved bakes and to support a brand new event that celebrates it on a world stage is a real privilege for everyone at Carr’s Flour Mills.
“What excites us most is that this competition brings together home bakers, professional bakers and young bakers all under one roof. That mirrors exactly who we mill for at Carr’s, from kitchen tables to professional bakeries, encouraging the next generation to pick up a rolling pin. We can’t wait to see what the competitors create and we hope this is the first of many years working alongside the Championships.”
The headline sponsor announcement comes as spectator tickets go on sale, offering food lovers, baking enthusiasts and families the chance to witness history as the first-ever World Shortbread Champion is crowned.
James Martin, Director of Community, Leisure & Sport at High Life Highland, said, “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Carr’s Flour Mills as our headline sponsor and are honoured they have chosen to join us on this exciting journey. Their reputation within the baking industry and their longstanding commitment to supporting bakers makes them the perfect partner for the World Shortbread Championships.
“We’re also thrilled to announce that spectator tickets are now on sale. This is a unique opportunity for people to come along, sample some fantastic shortbread, enjoy a great day out and be part of the very first World Shortbread Championships. We would also encourage anyone who is still considering entering the competition to get involved and sign up quickly with entry applications closing on 30 September.”
Competition categories include both traditional and speciality shortbread, with junior, amateur and professional bakers all competing for honours.
The event is being hosted by professional chef, food writer and broadcaster Sarah Rankin, while acclaimed baker and Bad Girl Bakery founder Jeni Iannetta will lead the judging panel as Head Judge.
Spectator tickets can be purchased via the World Shortbread Championships website: Tickets — The World Shortbread Championships with early bird discounts available.
Anyone wishing to enter should also visit the dedicated website with all the competition rules and entry instructions available here: Compete — The World Shortbread Championships.
The World Shortbread Championships build on the success of the popular Shortbread Showdown, which has featured in the Visit Inverness Loch Ness events calendar for the past three years and has helped grow interest in competitive shortbread baking across Scotland.