Inverness is set to become the home of the World Shortbread Championships, with the first global battle taking place one year from now (21 November 2026).
Building on the very popular Shortbread Showdown, which has been a staple in the Visit Inverness and Loch Ness calendar for the last three years, High Life Highland is picking up the mantle (or rolling pin) and laying down the gauntlet to shortbread show offs from anywhere around the world!
With various categories from home cooks to professionals and from traditional to the avantgarde – and introducing a junior category for bakers under the age of 16 – the World Shortbread Championships will celebrate this much-loved Scottish biscuit that has been around for 800 years! 
Emma Harrison of Visit Inverness Loch Ness commented: “We have loved organising and hosting the Shortbread Showdown and seeing its popularity we know it has the ability to grow into something bigger. We have been exploring ways to expand and grow the event, which is why we decided to speak to our friends at High Life Highland – who I am delighted to say are picking up the reins.”
James Martin, Director of Community, Leisure and Sport at High Life Highland said: “High Life Highland is not just about leisure and libraries, we are also about promoting our rich Highland culture and heritage – you just have to take a look at the brand new Inverness Castle Experience, or any of our many museums such as the Highland Folk Museum in Newtonmore or our award winning Archive Service.
“So for us, delivering the World Shortbread Championships from the Highland Capital, in the form of a celebratory, competitive event is a perfect fit for High Life Highland.
“While the detail of the event is still to be refined, we can announce today that the first ever World Shortbread Championships will take place at Inverness Leisure on 21 November 2026 so if you think you have what it takes, then you have exactly 365 days to perfect your recipe! The countdown clock as now started.”
It is thought that a form of shortbread first appeared around the 12th century in Scotland but the first printed recipe was not published until 1736. Shortbread was seen as a luxury item and reserved for special occasions such as Christmas, Hogmanay and weddings.
You can keep an eye on all things World Shortbread Championships by visiting its dedicated website: Coming Soon – World Shortbread Championships
