The Hebridean Baker:
From the Scottish Isles to the World
Coinneach MacLeod, aka The Hebridean Baker
In 2020, when we all were stuck at home and dreaming of Scotland, Coinneach MacLeod brought Scotland to us.
His Hebridean Baker TikTok account, launched during the pandemic, featured Coinneach in a Fair Isle sweater and MacLeod tartan kilt, going about his everyday life on the picturesque Isle of Lewis. Accompanied by his partner Peter McQueen (host of BBC Alba’s gardening series Garradh Phadruig) and wee dug Sèoras (now sadly passed), Coinneach shared the language, stories, and flavors of the Hebrides – a simpler existence during a complicated time.
An unexpected article in Elle magazine gave “this sexy Scottish baker” an international profile in the autumn of 2020. Since then, MacLeod has racked up tens of millions of views and published three bestselling cookbooks – The Hebridean Baker: My Scottish Island Kitchen; The Hebridean Baker: Recipes and Wee Stories from the Scottish Islands; and The Hebridean Baker at Home: Flavours and Folklore from the Scottish Islands. MacLeod is hard at work on his fourth: The Hebridean Baker: The Scottish Cookbook will be published in the US in February.
Coinneach's fourth book will be published in February 2025.
Flavors, Folklore, and Family
Inspired by stories from his friends and family, island folklore, and Scottish flavors, MacLeod’s cookbooks go beyond simple collections of recipes. Rather, he curates Hebridean cultural heritage – including Scots Gaelic language and song – for the benefit of modern audiences, many of whom may not be able to identify the Hebrides on a map.
Old favorites like his Aunt Bellag’s Clootie Dumpling recipe (complete with a secret ingredient!) are mixed with new traditions like a Lemon Curd Cocktail. MacLeod includes conversations with family and friends including Booker Prize-winning author Douglas Stuart and Scots Gaelic singer Julie Fowlis. And you may even recognize some National Trust for Scotland properties amongst the beautiful photography!
Here at The National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA, we have delighted in getting to know MacLeod as he tours America, sharing a bit of Scotland’s islands with the world. He describes his book signings as ceilidhs, or visits, where he shares stories and songs from the islands, ranging from Hebridean legends to the day his father met the Queen, with readers and bakers.
Canna House in June 2024.
Documenting and Sharing Island Traditions
In many ways, the MacLeod’s efforts are an extension of the groundbreaking work undertaken by American Margaret Fay Shaw and her British husband John Lorne Campbell in the mid-20th century. Together, the couple documented everyday lives in the Hebrides – particularly on Uist – using early photography and audio and video recordings. Their archive of Scots Gaelic language, music, and folklore is invaluable in documenting traditional island life. Their collection is cared for by the National Trust for Scotland on the Isle of Canna and has been digitized with the support of American donors via NTSUSA so that it can be shared with scholars and researchers in the most modern of ways. Canna House will re-open to the public following significant conservation in summer 2025.
hebrideanbaker.com
Fall Book Tour
Coinneach MacLeod is a natural ambassador for Hebridean culture and heritage, and NTSUSA is delighted to partner with him on some very special events for our supporters this fall, bringing a little bit of Scotland to Salt Lake City, New Orleans, Washington, DC, and Boston:
- September 4, Washington, DC: Solid State Books at the Black Cat
- September 5, Salt Lake City: The King’s English Bookshop
- September 9, New Orleans: Garden District Book Shop
- September 18, Boston: Beacon Hill Books
MacLeod will also be attending the NH Highland Games at Loon Mountain, following a visit to the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games earlier this year.
Coinneach MacLeod, aka The Hebridean Baker
Coinneach MacLeod was born on the Isle of Lewis – the most northerly of the Outer Hebrides – and spoke Scots Gaelic as his first language. His father was a trawler and his mother wove Harris Tweed. An accomplished singer, MacLeod met his partner when competing in the Gaelic signing competition at the Royal National Mod. The couple won the next year as a duet.