The Braemar Gathering is one of those days that truly embodies the essence of Scotland. It happens every year, on the first Saturday in September, in the quiet village of Braemar. The whole place comes to life. You’ll see tartan everywhere. The sound of bagpipes fills the hills. Families gather with flasks and fold-up chairs. Strong men throw giant logs through the air like they’re made of cardboard. It’s wild. And it’s brilliant.
The Braemar Gathering isn’t just another tourist event. It’s one of the most famous Highland Games in the world. Steeped in history, full of pride, and packed with everything that makes Scotland... well, Scotland. That includes the food, especially the sweet kind. You don’t go to the Gathering without getting a bite of tablet or a bar of fudge. It’s as much a part of the day as the caber toss.
What Makes Braemar Special
Let’s keep it simple: Braemar is the real deal. The Highland Games have been going for centuries, but Braemar’s version has an extra bit of shine to it. It’s not just locals who turn up — members of the Royal Family do too. The King usually watches from the Royal Pavilion. That royal connection goes back to Queen Victoria, who loved the area and helped bring attention to the games back in the 1800s.
The modern Gathering has been running since 1832, though the original tradition stretches even further, all the way back to King Malcolm Canmore, over 900 years ago. That’s not marketing fluff. That’s actual history.
Today, it takes place in the Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park, in the middle of the Cairngorms. You’ve got a stunning backdrop of mountains and pine trees, and then in front of you: hammer throwers, solo pipers, Highland dancers, and tug-of-war teams giving it their all. The crowd’s usually around 16,000. Locals, tourists, and folk from every corner of the world come to soak it all in.
There’s something for everyone — even the kids. While the big events go on in the main arena, there are fun races for wee ones, music stages, food stands, and friendly folk in every direction. The atmosphere is upbeat, but grounded. No nonsense. No over-the-top nonsense. Just a proper good day out.
Why Sweets Matter at Events Like This
Now, let’s talk food. There’s plenty to eat at the Gathering. You’ll find hot rolls, pies, stovies, soup, and all sorts of comforting things. But when you’ve had a wander and watched a few events, you start craving something sweet. Not just any sweet, though. You want something proper Scottish. That’s where tablet and fudge come in.
Tablet, for anyone who’s not familiar, is a traditional Scottish sweet made with sugar, butter, and milk. It’s usually boiled up to a thick, grainy texture. Very rich. Very sweet. Very moreish. You don’t need a lot of it, but somehow you always end up going back for another bit. Fudge is the softer cousin of tablet — creamier, smoother, still sweet but with a different bite. Some folks have a preference. Others just love both.
These kinds of sweets have been part of Scottish life for generations. They’re made with simple ingredients, and often with recipes passed down in families. You’ll find them at local shops, country markets, and especially at events like the Braemar Gathering. They’re not just treats. They’re little bits of tradition.
Mrs Tilly’s and the Art of Scottish Sweets
If you want the real thing — sweets made the proper way, without shortcuts — you don’t need to look far. Mrs Tilly’s is a Scottish family business that’s made a name for itself by sticking to what matters. No flash, no gimmicks. Just good, honest confectionery made with care.
Our Scottish Tablet is about as close to homemade as you’ll get in a packet. It’s made with sugar, whole milk, salted butter, and condensed milk. The texture is just right — grainy but not crumbly, firm but not dry. It tastes like something your gran might have made, if your gran had a sweet tooth and a strong arm for stirring.
We also do a wide range of Scottish fudge. Not just plain fudge either. You’ll find flavours like Whisky, Sea Salt, Belgian Chocolate, Orange, and Rum and Raisin. There are seasonal flavours too — Gingerbread, Brandy Cream, Candy Cane — depending on the time of year. It’s a mix of comfort and curiosity. Something familiar, something a bit different.
For people on the go, our Traditional Bars are a handy option. These are single bars of tablet, fudge, or macaroon — easy to slip into a bag or coat pocket. If you’re heading to Braemar, they’re perfect for having a treat on hand while you’re standing in the crowd, waiting for the next event.
One of our more playful products is Tablet Popcorn. It’s exactly what it sounds like: popcorn with a coating that tastes like tablet. Sweet, crunchy, and ideal for sharing at an event. It’s the kind of thing that makes people stop mid-chew and go, “Wait, what is this?” in a good way.
And if you want something a bit more polished, our Gift Boxes are lovely. They’re smartly packed and come with a mix of their most popular sweets — ideal for giving as a thank-you gift or keeping on hand for guests. You’ll also find 1kg sharing bags, if you’re hosting or just like to stock up.
Everything we make is rooted in tradition. The flavours are familiar, the ingredients are simple, and the results speak for themselves.
How to Enjoy Mrs Tilly’s at the Braemar Gathering
Now, you won’t find a Mrs Tilly’s stall at the Gathering (not yet, anyway), but you don’t need to. Our products are sold all over Scotland. If you’re passing through a local shop, chances are you’ll spot our bars or bags on the shelf. Or you can order online before you go.
Bring a few bars with you on the day. A piece of tablet before the dancing starts, or a bite of fudge during the pipe band competition — it just fits. It’s not about being fancy. It’s about adding a small pleasure to a full day.
If you’re travelling with family or friends, grab a 1kg bag of mixed fudge and tablet and pass it around. Or crack open the tablet popcorn when you’re taking a break on the grass. It’s easy, it’s tasty, and it keeps the energy up. Events like this are long days. You’ll walk a lot, stand a lot, maybe get caught in the rain. A sweet treat can go a long way.
Staying overnight? Pick up one of the gift boxes as a souvenir. It’s much better than a keyring, and a lot more likely to be appreciated when you get home. If you’ve got pals who couldn’t make the trip, a box of fudge or a few macaroon bars is a nice way to say “wish you were there.”
Why Sweets Like These Still Matter
There’s a reason Scottish sweets like tablet and fudge haven’t disappeared. They’re tied to real memories. You remember getting a piece from your gran’s tin. You remember your first attempt at making tablet in a pan that stuck and smoked. You remember being handed a bar at a Highland Games when you were a kid, feet wet, face sticky, eyes wide from watching a man throw a caber.
These sweets carry stories. They show up at celebrations, fairs, weddings, and quiet moments. They connect people. That’s what we’re really selling — not just sugar and butter, but that feeling of shared history and comfort.
Taking It With You
The Braemar Gathering might only last a day, but it sticks with you. You go for the sport, the music, the buzz — but it’s the little things that stay in your head. The sound of the pipes drifted across the park. The feel of the cold bench under you. And the taste of something sweet in your hand.
We let you take that part home. Whether you bring back a box for yourself or post one to someone else, it’s a way of keeping the day alive. And if you didn’t make it to Braemar at all, that’s fine too. Our website makes it easy to get a box delivered, wherever you are.
You don’t need to be in the Highlands to enjoy Scottish sweets. But if you are walking through Braemar in early September, kilted athletes and pipe bands all around you, then a piece of tablet or fudge just makes sense.
And that’s the thing. It’s not complicated. It’s not overthought. It’s just a sweet, simple part of a very good day.
