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Our History - 1898-1930

The Walkers story begins over a hundred years ago in 1898, when the twenty-one year old Joseph Walker opened the doors of his own bakery with a loan of £50 and the dream of making the finest shortbread in the world.

In the first year of business, Joseph used every spare moment to perfect his shortbread recipe, and it was time well spent. Soon, shooting parties from the local estates were making detours to Joseph's bakery.

As his fame spread, and demand increased for his quality shortbread, Joseph took the first steps to expanding the business by moving to a larger shop in the Speyside village of Aberlour and investing in a horse and cart to deliver his baking further afield.

By the 1970s, Joseph's grandchildren had begun exporting Walkers shortbread to over 60 countries around the world - still baking to his original recipe. Within a decade, they won the first of three Queen's Awards for Export Achievement - the highest accolade given to British exporters.

Photograph of a delivery cart outside the old Walkers Shop

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