Meet the Makers: Ochil Fudge
Can you tell us a little bit about your business?
We are based in Alloa, in Scotland’s smallest county of Clackmannan.
We started the business in 2010. We decided to create Ochil Fudge after tasting the difference between homemade and factory-made fudge. We wanted to create a fudge that tasted ’just like our gran made’ and to help evoke memories of ‘being taken back to your childhood …’.
We set about creating our fudge and traditional Scottish tablet, and as we grew, we moved to a commercial scale. We still make our fudge like you would at home, but now on a much larger scale. All our fudge is hand-beaten, and we use the same store cupboard ingredients you would in your home, giving our fudge an authentic homemade taste. Our mantra is that no matter how successful we become, we will always make our fudge by hand and in a traditional way.
What products do you create?
We have created a range of over 25 flavours of handmade fudge and Scottish tablet.
What makes your business unique?
Time and attention. Creating fudge by hand is a time-consuming process. Each of our artisan fudge makers beats each pot of fudge until it is at the perfect consistency. Hand beating stretches the sugar crystals, ensuring a smooth taste. It’s the ‘hard work’ end of the process, but we believe it to be well worth the effort.
We’ve spent years perfecting each recipe and researching everything that goes into making the perfect fudge. We have tested hundreds of types of spoons, researched the perfect pots and, of course, undertaken lots of necessary taste-testing to create a fudge that evokes a sense of nostalgia.
Are there any eco credentials you can mention?
Unfortunately, our film, which provides an extended shelf life from that of a home-made product, is not biodegradable. No one has invented a biodegradable film that does not affect shelf life. Our film is widely recyclable, though, which is a start. All the cardboard we use is FSC, meaning trees are planted to replace the ones used to create the cardboard.
What’s your favourite thing about running your business?
Heritage and community. We are proud to be part of Scotland’s heritage of fudge/tablet making and operate within the thriving artisanal community of producers in Scotland today.
Running a business allows us to be involved in our local community by providing jobs and connecting with people locally through selling our fudge at community events and local markets. Our current team all live within a mile of the kitchen; the more successful we are, the more jobs we can provide to the surrounding area, hopefully creating a brand that the people of Clackmannan can be proud of.
What’s your proudest moment of your business career?
To date, we are proud to say that we have won 14 Great Taste awards for our fudge and Scottish tablet, an award from the Scottish Retail Food & Drinks Industry in 2022, and most recently, a Best Product Award at the Speciality Food & Drink show in January 2024.
These awards testify to our commitment to creating a product with an authentic homemade taste.
What is your favourite Trust place?
Deciding just one place that is our favourite is a challenge! Scotland is home to so many beautiful landmarks and has a rich heritage.
With that said, if pushed, we’d have to say our favourite place would be Glenfinnan.
How did your business start working with the Trust?
We met the Trust's Product Manager, Alex Miller, at the Scottish Speciality Food show. Alex tried our Christmas Pudding fudge, and the rest is history!
What’s your favourite product that you supply to the Trust and what was the inspiration behind creating it?
Many of our flavours are inspired by traditional confectionery or desserts. Butterscotch fudge felt like a perfect fit for our range of handmade fudge. We also enjoy producing it as it gives off a beautiful aroma while it cooks, matched by its delicious and unmistakable taste … eating it warm from the kitchen is heavenly!
What do you love about Scotland?
We are proud to be a part of a country with such a rich heritage and beautiful landscapes. It’s a wonderful place to live and work, with an open and inclusive culture.
Ochil Fudge products are available to purchase at our properties.
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