PICTURES: Shortbread Showdown decides whose sweet treat is the finest; organisers Visit Inverness Loch Ness delighted at turnout
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SUPER shortbread brought hundreds of people flocking to a special food and drink showcase at the weekend – and organisers were delighted by the turnout.
Visit Inverness Loch Ness held its first ever Shortbread Showdown in Inverness Cathedral on Saturday.
The event marked the culmination of a series of regional heats to decide the best shortbread in the Highlands.
Twenty-one entries and competitors from across the Highlands took part, with the honour of being the overall winner ultimately going to Paul Macintosh of MacKenzie's Bakery on Skye.
The festivities were also a chance to highlight the region's destinations and food and drink providers, and several were on hand to showcase their wares to the passing public.
Organisers were delighted with the turnout, which saw an estimated 700 to 800 people stop off at the cathedral.
Visit Inverness Loch Ness' chief executive Michael Golding said the day was a chance to attract people to venture into the city at a time of year when they might not otherwise, and also to showcase the region's destinations and produce. He was very pleased with the large "bustling" crowds, and hailed the event a success.
The day's activities also included live music, baking demonstrations, and children's treasure hunt with prizes. Highland Hospice also sold Visit Inverness Loch Ness' shortbread recipe books to raise funds for the charity.
Exhibitors included SkyeConnect, The Carnegie Club Skilbo Castle, Venture North, The Highland Weigh, Great Glen Distillery, Dornoch Town and Country Lettings, Pure Bakery, and the Castle and Gardens of Mey, among others.
