Bon Accord
Bon Accord is proving that Scottish soft drink heritage and modern taste can go hand in hand. Originally founded in Arbroath in 1903, the brand was revived in 2016 by the great-great-granddaughter of its founder and has since become best known for its award-winning Rhubarb Soda. Now operating alongside 71 Brewing in Dundee following a 2025 merger, Bon Accord is combining more than a century of history with a modern, better-for-you approach to soft drinks.
In this Q&A, Karen Knowles, Managing Director, shares the story behind the brand's revival, what heritage means to their flavours, and why every can tells a piece of Scottish history.
Scottish Food & Drink September 2026
What do you believe makes Scottish food and drink so special, and where do Bon Accord soft drinks fit into that story?
Scotland has such a strong food and drink identity because of the quality of it's natural produce, each brand has a story and people are proud to produce products in Scotland. For us, Bon Accord is a small but important part of Scotland's food & drink identity, we're a Scottish soft drink brand with more than 100 years of history, which has been refreshed for a new generation. We’re proud to combine that heritage with a modern approach to soft drinks, creating a range of better-for-you drinks made for today's tastes.
What's the story behind your very first Bon Accord product? Do you remember the moment it went from the initial spark of an idea into reality?
The idea to revive Bon Accord came from a very personal place. In 2016, when pregnant, our founder noticed there was a real lack of interesting, great-tasting soft drinks on the market. That sparked the idea of relaunching Bon Accord, an iconic Scottish brand originally set up in 1903 by her great-great grandfather. The first product bottled was Rhubarb Soda, the story behind this is that we love the flavour of rhubarb, and since there weren't any drinks on the market with a punchy rhubarb taste, we wanted to create a drink that was natural but also delivered on flavour. Rhubarb Soda has gone on to be our best-selling product and recently won a Great Taste award which we are really proud of.
Bon Accord was originally founded in Arbroath in 1903 and became a Scottish institution before its short hiatus, what was it like reviving that tradition, and what did it mean to bring the brand back?
Reviving Bon Accord meant bringing a piece of family and Scottish history back to life. The original business was founded in Arbroath in 1903 and delivered drinks directly to homes across Scotland. There was strong brand recognition when we relaunched the company, but also an opportunity to reinterpret it for a new generation. The aim was never simply to recreate the past; it was about creating something contemporary, with better-for-you ingredients and a strong focus on flavour.
How important is local sourcing and heritage to the way you create your flavours?
Heritage is hugely important to us because it gives Bon Accord a story and a sense of place. Our flavours are bold and understandable and the brand itself is rooted in Scotland. We use natural, plant-based ingredients and develop flavours that suit today’s consumers. For us, it’s that balance between Scottish heritage and contemporary flavour that makes Bon Accord distinctive.
For 2026, Scottish Food & Drink September is focused on how 'Every Bite Tells a Story'. What story do you want people to understand when they crack open a bottle or can of Bon Accord?
We’d like people to understand that when they open a Bon Accord, they’re opening more than just a soft drink - they’re getting a little piece of Scottish history and a moment to enjoy a well-crafted, natural soft drink. We want every sip to show that heritage and innovation can sit happily together: a drink can celebrate where it came from while still feeling fresh, exciting and relevant today.
