The Famous Forfar Bridie

FORFAR BRIDIES

A Forfar Bridie is a horseshoe shaped meat product.  It has a shortcrust cover and the filling consists of beef, onions and seasoning.  They originated in Forfar in the early part if the 19th Century.  One story of their origin is that they were made for wedding meals (the Bride's meal) hence the horseshoe shape (for luck).  Another story is that they were made by Margaret Bridie of Glamis, who sold them at the Buttermarket in Forfar.  James McLaren & Son have been making Forfar Bridies since 1893 and the present owner, William McLaren, is the great grandson of the firm's founder James McLaren.  Bridies are a traditional Saturday lunch in Forfar.

JAS. McLAREN & SON, Forfar, Scotland. - Bakers & Confectioners

THE ANATOMY OF A FORFAR BRIDIE

How would you describe a Forfar bridie?

The classic description, often quoted by Alan Reid the local historian, was given by Jeems Stark, a one-time local character and frequenter of bakehouses.  According ti Jeems, a bridie was "juist a brodie - a big roond slap o' dough wi' the tap hauf spread wi' steak cut sma' an' chappit ingins."  "Syne the boddom hauf's luftit an' laid ower the tap an' scolpit ee aidge." "Nick oot twa holes ee tap, fauld, an' there y'are - a brode pie - a brodie - a bridie."

With acknowledgements to "The Courier & Advertiser."

JAS. McLAREN & SON, Forfar, Scotland. - Bakers & Confect ioners