In Memoriam

THE SCOTTISH BAKER IN MEMORIAM

PAST PRESIDENT BILL MCLAREN

We were saddened to learn of the sudden passing of one our Past Presidents, Bill McLaren in October.

Bill was the fourth generation to run McLarens Bakers Ltd in Forfar which was established in 1893. Born in 1940, he joined his father in the bakery at around the age of 15. He continued to work in the bakery up until fairly recently, retiring in 2018, having overseen expansion of the business in 1971 and 1991. He was renowned for his hand made bridies.

Bill was President of S.A.M.B, as Scottish Bakers was then known, from 1995 – 1996 and was also a Past Deacon of the Bakers Trade and Deacon Convenor of the Nine Trades Dundee. The bakery is now run by the 5th Generation, Bill’s daughter Karen and one of his grandchildren, Sarah is also working in the business. He will be sorely missed by his wife Allison and all of his family and many friends.

ISOBEL SMITH (J&I SMITH BAKERS)

Isobel Smith, formerly of Huntly also passed away recently after a long illness. Isobel was wife to John and was a great support to him in the business. She is missed by all who knew her.

GARETH WHITTAKER (DAWN FOODS)

Gareth Whittaker, Bakery Sales Manager at Dawn Foods passed away on Saturday 24th September. He had worked at Dawn Foods for 18 years and was a dedicated member of the team.

GLADYS GILLAN (YTHAN BAKERY)

Glady Gillan passed away on the 11th November 2022. Gladys was the wife of the late John Davie Gillan of the Ythan Bakery in Ellon, Aberdeenshire. She was the dearly loved mother of Lorna and Michael and a much loved mother-in-law and grandmother.

We had the pleasure of having Gareth as a judge of the Celebration Cake category for the Scottish Baker of the Year competition earlier this year (pictured with fellow judge - BBC Scotland’s Barbara Wallace). He is missed tremendously by his wife Lisa, three children and all of his colleagues at Dawn Foods.

DUNCAN MACFARLANE (SCOBIE MCINTOSH)

Duncan MacFarlane (Snr) sadly passed away on Friday 21st October 2022 after a sudden and very short illness. Duncan had only retired 18 months ago and planned to spend winters in the sun, cherish time with his grandchildren and enjoy the benefits of retirement with his wife Sheena who had retired at a similar time. Duncan worked with Scobie for almost his entire career and latterly became a Director of bakery sales. His name, synonymous to the industry helped build the supermarket in-house, industrial and independent bakeries across the UK. He would often be leant on to advise how to best bake a new product or line. He was always welcomed with excitement at the Scobie McIntosh head office where he would often run test bake days with the staff and have them kneading dough and creating interesting shaped breads, pastries and cakes.