Birdies, Bridies & Stoned Stories
Long before global chains like McDonald’s arrived on the scene, the humble Forfar Bridie—and its east coast cousin, the Dundee Peh—were Scotland’s fast-food staples.
Consumed at football games or any time involving a few pints, the Bridie reached legendary status as epitomised by St Andrew & The Woolen Mill’s song, "Ananinginaneana", Dundee slang meaning "and an onion one as well". You could, of course, request a ‘plen’ ane!
Listen to St Andrews (Andy Pelc) recording here.
WALKER CUP CAPTAIN
“Sandy Saddler—not just a master baker, but also one of Scotland’s most accomplished amateur golfers.”
Here’s a fine picture of a tray Forfar Bridies - oh yes, and their chief purveyor, Sandy Saddler
“One of the most iconic purveyors of these meaty delights is Saddlers of Forfar, a long-standing bakery on East High Street. At the helm for many years was Sandy Saddler—not just a master baker, but also one of Scotland’s most accomplished amateur golfers.”
Sandy represented Great Britain in golf 14 times and Scotland on 22 occasions. He was the only GB player to win both of his singles matches in the 1967 Walker Cup, and captained the team a decade later in 1977.
Between 1959 and 1967, Sandy represented Great Britain in golf 14 times and Scotland on 22 occasions. He was the only GB player to win both of his singles matches in the 1967 Walker Cup, and captained the team a decade later in 1977. At home, he was a seven-time club champion at Forfar Golf Club, a course that clearly shaped his game—and vice versa.
Forfar Golf Club is a shapely inland track more akin to its seaside cousins due to its linksy lumps.
I had the pleasure of meeting Sandy years ago, when I brought a group of journalists to sample Angus. He shared tales from his storied career, including the time he was hired to teach the Sultan of Brunei how to play golf. Tempted to stay in that oil-rich paradise, Sandy ultimately returned to Forfar, following his father’s advice to run the family bakery.
Interestingly, the name “Bridie” may be rooted in ancient Celtic. It’s associated with meanings like “exalted one,” “fire goddess,” “strength,” and “virtue.” Whether it’s named for the bride who may have once favoured it as a wedding-day snack, or for something more mythical, the Forfar Bridie remains an East Coast culinary icon.
Fittingly, Forfar Golf Club recently honoured its most distinguished member by naming its main lounge after him.
Landlocked Links
Just east of town on the A932 lies Forfar Golf Club, one of the oldest 18-hole inland courses in the world. Its undulating fairways mimic those of true links terrain, thanks to the land's prior use for drying flax—stacked in rows that shaped the ground into long, grassy swells. Designed by Old Tom Morris and later reworked by James Braid, the course remains a satisfying test for golfers of all levels. You can read a more detailed report here.
Ancient Stones of Aberlemno
Just six miles (10 km) northeast of Forfar on the B9134, the Aberlemno Sculptured Stones offer a fascinating glimpse into Pictish history. The first of these intricately carved standing stones stands in the village churchyard, while three more line the roadside further up the hill. These early medieval stones are often described as "Pictish storybooks in stone," preserving myths, battles, and symbols from a people whose language and legacy still stir the imagination.
Forerunner of the Big Mac, your common-or-garden Dundee Peh—a hearty, no-nonsense meat pie beloved in the City of Discovery. Cheap, filling, and best enjoyed with a splash of brown sauce, it was the original fast food for generations of Dundonians.
