Highlanders Pure Butter Shortbread Cookies, 4.7 Oz Box (Pack of 4)

The Walkers story began over a century ago in 1898, in the Scottish Highlands, when the 21-year-old Joseph Walker opened the doors to his own bakery with a £50 loan and a dream of creating the finest shortbread in the world. In the first year of business, Joseph dedicated every spare moment to perfecting his shortbread recipe – a time well spent.

As his reputation grew and demand for his quality shortbread increased, Joseph took the first steps to expand his business by moving to a larger shop in the Speyside village of Aberlour and investing in a horse and cart to deliver his baking further afield. During the 1930s, the business – much like Joseph's family – continued to grow, with two of his sons, James and Joseph, joining the company and bringing fresh, new ideas.

By 1936, they had introduced three valuable additions to the business: a range of cakes, a selection of confectionery, and the company's first delivery van. This allowed Walkers' produce to be sold even further afield, and the prospects for expansion were looking promising.

While some manufacturers began to cut corners by using margarine instead of butter, Joseph believed that people still appreciated the care that went into making a superior product like Walkers shortbread. And he was right. That's why, even after Joseph Walker's death in 1954, his sons continued to use his original recipe.

Demand grew, and so did the business. By 1961, all three of James' children – Joseph, James, and Marjorie – had joined the family firm, making the third generation of Walkers working for the company. By 1975, Walkers had outgrown their extended bakery and moved to a custom-built factory that gave them the extra space and facilities they needed to develop new products, such as Chocolate Chip Shortbread and specialty cookies.

Throughout the 1970s, Joseph's grandchildren began exporting Walkers shortbread to over 60 countries around the world – still baking to his original recipe. Within a decade, they won the first of three Queen's Awards for Export Achievement, the highest accolade given to British exporters.

Even today, Walkers stays in touch with their customers by testing every new product in Aberlour's village shop. This ensures that customers around the world are enjoying a range of products that were first given the seal of approval by the villagers of Aberlour. Consistent quality and traditionally delicious recipes have made Walkers the choice of the most discerning customers and retailers.

Walkers' reputation continues to grow as loyal customers worldwide delight in traditional shortbreads and innovative new products like almond, ginger, and luxurious chocolate-covered shortbread. All Walkers' products are packaged in their unmistakable red tartan and proudly bear the image of Bonnie Prince Charlie and Flora MacDonald, capturing a romantic moment from Scotland's history and reflecting the tradition and care that goes into baking every piece of Walkers shortbread.

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