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Scotch Oven story

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  • Scotch Oven story

    Here is a piece I found on the wall of an old Scotch oven in Forres Scotland (just across the Morray Firth form Cromarty where I build a small oven earlier this year) some interesting big roasting;

    Davie Allen
    1925 ? 1998

    Foreman baker here from 1956 until his retirement in 1990.

    Davie remembered enjoying working with the following people during his time here: -

    Melville Clark Betty Rodgers
    Andy Cowie Davie Nicol (Crockett)
    Sandy Chisholm Graham Esson (Sid)
    David Allan Jnr Angus Barclay
    Ella Fortheringham Martin Farish
    Margaret Aitchison Stuart Shaw


    Scotch Oven Tearoom

    - A brief history -

    James Asher bought this bakery in 1978 from the Forrests who had been here since 1919. The bakery itself remained fully operational until Davie Allan?s retirement in 1990 after witch the front shop was supplied from the Nairn bakehouse.

    The old scotch oven, of witch there are very few in use today, is still in working condition. The oven is over 100 years old but was reroofed around 1940. It used to be fired by coke but has been oil fired since 1962. In addition to its normal use it has cooked whole sheep for church functions and would do over 20 turkeys for customers at Christmas time.

    The flue to the left of the oven needed regular cleaning and actually extends the full length of the oven to the store behind it. The flour was stored above the bakery and was taken up by hoist.

    The windows were originally in Applegrove School and were installed by Forbes the carpenter.

    There used to be a wooden sink and when the cement floor needed painting that was done with a sweeping brush!

    Having lain empty for a few years, the tea room conversion took place in 1997, one hundred and twenty years after Ashers Bakery was established. With the old scotch oven as the focal point, it was naturally called the Scotch Oven Tearoom.

    Alf

  • #2
    Hi Folks,

    I know this group isn't hear as a sales directory, however, this is
    just to interesting not to post

    Adrian and I have been in email correspondence for some time now with
    me advising him on "what to do with a Scotch oven" and how they were
    built. He sent me this press release the other day so I thought I
    would post it just in case any one from Aus or anywhere else was
    interested in working in a real old bakery and with a real scotch
    oven. Adrian's email is at the bottom of the page.

    Alf

    COUNTRY BAKERY OFFERS CHANCE
    TO MAKE DOUGH

    A remarkable opportunity has come to light for a budding food
    industry entrepreneur, or a baker-artisan with vision and drive.

    Over the past year a large 19th century building known as the Old
    Bakery, in Trentham, near Daylesford, has been lovingly restored and
    refurbished, and now owner Adrian Kosky is on the hunt for someone
    with a bright idea to bring it alive.

    The building features an enormous fully functional wood-fired Scotch
    bread oven, made by Melbourne engineering company Small & Shattell.
    With a surface area of almost 16 square metres, it is thought to be
    the largest of its type still in working order. The Old Bakery also
    contains a commercial kitchen, servery, large seating area and
    courtyard. There is also a smaller building adjacent, which could be
    used as a shop front or onsite residence. The grounds are enclosed by
    newly constructed feature walls, which have already become
    something of a tourist attraction in the Central Highlands town. A
    vacant block next door, also owned by Mr Kosky, provides secure space
    for possible expansion.

    "The Bakery would be ideal for a food retail or wholesale
    enterprise," said Mr Kosky. "It would also suit a wine or other
    alcohol business, or make a fantastic studio-showroom.
    The bread oven is massive, but it doesn't necessarily have to be
    used ? it could just be a stunning visual feature."

    Mr Kosky said he was keen to enter into a leasehold agreement with
    the right applicant. He is prepared to put his money where his mouth
    is, assisting with financing and fit-out if necessary. He is also
    prepared, further down the track, to sell the freehold to the
    successful operator.

    "This is a brilliant building, and I think it needs someone with a
    dream to make it work," he said. "This person might be young or old,
    but they must have vision and drive. I'm happy to assist the right
    person in direct, practical ways if needed. I'm very keen to discover
    who's out there."

    Trentham is a short distance from Daylesford, and right in the heart
    of the burgeoning produce, restaurant and wine-growing region of
    Central Victoria.

    Mr Kosky said expressions of interest should be sent to
    wingart@netconnect.com.au as soon as possible.
    Further info: Adrian Kosky 03 5348 1885
    http://www.fornobravo.co.uk/index.html

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Scotch Oven story

      Hi All

      Just come across this old posting and thought I would add my two cents worth to it.

      This bakery in trentham has been up and running for the past few years making sensational organic bread and pastries. For anyone interested they are called redbeards bakery and have a great website.

      They offer anyone who comes in the door the chance to have a look at the oven and its a must see for oven lovers. Its my treat when Ive been good, to buy myself a loaf of organic sourdough baked in a 135 year old wood fired scotch oven.

      DW

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