In the heart of Fife, a family legacy has been rising like perfectly proofed dough for over a century. Fisher & Donaldson, a name synonymous with Scottish baking excellence, traces its roots back to 1919 when brothers-in-law Willie Fisher and Davie Donaldson returned from World War I with a dream and their demob money.
Starting with a small premises in Cupar, the bakery has grown into a beloved institution with seven shops and cafes across Fife and Tayside. Now in its fifth generation, the Milne family continues to utilise traditional techniques honed over decades.
Part One
A recipe for success
According to Director Chloe Milne, the secret behind the bakery’s century long success lies in quality, consistency, variety, and heritage, combined with great staff and loyal customers.
Their vast array of over 400 handmade treats ranges from their famous fudge doughnuts to their traditional Rolled Oat Bannocks remain popular with the locals who share fond memories about the bakery over their lifetimes.
Part Two
A taste of local pride
Building on these strong community ties, Fisher & Donaldson employs around 150 workers from across St Andrews, Cupar and Dundee who hand make most of the baked goods using family recipes.
The Milnes also make sure they work with local suppliers wherever possible, taking pride in sourcing their oats exclusively from Fife farms and ninety percent of their meat from Perthshire. In summer, strawberries are sourced within a 10-mile radius – a key secret to their sweetness according to Chloe!
Not ones to rest on their laurels, Fisher & Donaldson continue to brew up new partnerships and has recently partnered with Fife-based roastery, Modern Standard Coffee, enabling their customers to pair their daily caffeine fix with a great bake.
Part Three
Rising to new levels
The secret to staying sweet with the community lies in continually adapting their offerings and setting themselves apart from the competition. In that spirit, the team wanted to do something extra special to mark their centenary in 2019, taking on the challenge of attempting a Guinness World record for the world’s largest doughnut wall!
A near miss to an Australian group sporting 1075 doughnuts only served to spur them on. Not giving up, they set their sights on building an even bigger doughnut wall and, on St Andrews Day, the Fisher & Donaldson team rose to the occasion and built a 15 meters long wall with 1,234 doughnuts, smashing the new world record.
What’s more, in an impressive effort to adapt to the times, their state-of-the-art bakery in Cupar boasts 201 solar panels, powering operations for six weeks each year and reducing energy consumption by 25-30%.
Fife foodies for years to come
Fisher & Donaldson is a proud member of the regional food group Food from Fife. The group plays a crucial role in promoting local produce and fostering community connections. By participating in events like Tasting Tayside & Fife, they help shine a spotlight on the rich culinary heritage of the region.
Looking ahead, the Milnes are keen to pass the business onto a sixth generation, to continue serving local communities with fantastic produce and great customer service to match. Expressing a sense of pride and excitement for the future, Jade, Ben and Chloe want the business to be known not only as one of the best bakeries in Scotland, but one of the best places to work.
As they consider their next 100 years and the prospect of an even larger doughnut wall to mark that occasion, one thing remains certain: the ovens at Fisher & Donaldson will keep warming hearts and satisfying sweet tooths for generations to come.