Anyone else a tablet addict? I confess that when I returned to Scotland I was introduced to tablet sold in the local village shop. "As good as I can make," declared the lovely shop owner and I felt obliged to try this little packet marked 'Mrs Tilly's Tablet'. It cost around 35p in those days. It was the best shop-bought tablet I've ever tasted and each Friday night for years, I treated myself to a bar.
It's some years now since I tasted Mrs Tilly's tablet, but as I type I can imagine it instantly dissolving on my tongue - leaving behind a taste of condensed milk and vanilla.
Although I'm no longer one of Mrs Tilly's customers, I was delighted to read that the Tillicoultry based company is to build a new £1 million factory and visitor centre at Alva, in central Scotland, in a bid to become a UK brand. The new factory will enable the company to quadruple production to four million bars a year, making it possible to supply one of the supermarkets on a national scale for the first time. Twenty-three new jobs will be created.
Mrs Tilly's also produces fudge and macaroon bars and the founder Peter Paterson intends to make truffles for the first time once the new factory is up and running.
It's always a pleasure to hear of success within the small business community. This company's success is sweet in more ways than one.
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16 comments:
There's nothing quite like it, is there? I've been a fan since the age of five - it was our neighbour's speciality.
Once you've had tablet, fudge never quite hits the spot, so I'd welcome its appearance in southern shops, although I'm not entirely convinced they will be able to retain the home-made taste and - more importantly - texture on such a large scale.
Over the years when retuning from my frequent visits to Scotland, I made a point of stopping in Lockerbie. There is a wee sweetie shop and general grocers there that sell home made tablet to die for.
and it rarly reaches Coventry unless it's locked in the boot.
"I was delighted to read that the Tillicoultry based company is to build a new £1 factory and visitor centre at Alva...."
Bloody hell, that's good value.
Nope, there's nothing like it Macheath. I think Mrs Tilley's is the best commericial tablet I've tasted. I like it to melt right away you see...
I wonder, if I phycologist got hold of how we liked and ate tablet, they would say.
Ah wisnaeme, a wee shop making its own is a rarity these days. I know exactly how you felt.
Joe, that's what I get for being overcome by the imaginary taste of crumbling tablet.:)
Many thanks for letting me know.
@wisnaeme, if you're ever on the A9 between Perth and Pitlochry, there's always a basket of the stuff by the till in the Dowally craft centre restaurant - worth knowing about because its the only eatery for miles*.
*Found - to much relief - while showing the ancestral homeland to a carful of ravenous teenagers.
Jings, Macheath, it's Dowally is only around 3 miles from Pitlochry which has enough eateries to feed the Army for a year and 10 miles from Dunkeld, which I admit doesn't have much in the way of food.
Go another few miles down the A9 and there's a super place at Bankfoot and then within a 10 minute drive you're in Perth with some of the best eateries, and value for money, in Scotland.
You have to go far further north west to drive more than an hour without coming across a reasonable place to eat.
Mobiles phones and GMS point folk in these directions these days which is a plus. I never thought I'd see the day when I was directed to the nearest garage when needing fuel. One benefit of my expensive GPS. (The other is that it's up to date with one way streets in Glasgow, yet it doesn't cope with the mess of the present Edinburgh traffic system which changes week by week).
Sorry, got to mention my Fiancee's tablet, which she makes in the name of Paisley Philamonic... Mmmmmm
SR - sorry - I should have put that 'miles' in quotes (the tone can be guessed at by anyone who's ever travelled with their young). What I meant was that it's the only one signposted directly off the road, with lots of parking and no junctions to annoy spouse-on-a-short-fuse (remember, southerners are used to service stations).
Next time, I promise you, we'll put more thought into planning!
Wonderful news. Another Sciottish success...
But, somewhat guiltily, I have to admit to making it myself, in vast quantites and then having to ration myself to one little bit a day... otherwise I would't be slim and lovely Tris that I know and love!!
Allan, sounds wonderful. Is it only available locally?
I'm with you now Macheath, just wanted to ensure English readers didn't think they were in no man's land in Perthshire. :)
Yes that's true, it's well signposted but it's nothing like a motorway service station. Then again, the A9 is no motorway. It's a dangerous road in many ways.
Oh Tris, can I meet you for coffee tomorrow? I'm sure a wee bit would help this dreadful cold which I've contacted courtesy of golfers.
I'm anybodies for a slice of fudge, especially rum and raisin. However, Mrs Tilly's Tablets sound nice.
If I get the chance to make it north of the border I will have sample its delights.
Dean, fudge is overcooked tablet. I couldn't tell you how often people have had fudge here. :)
It's the art of just taking it off the heat just before it turns to fudge that's the trick.
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