Opt-in membership is available to businesses that either exist out-with the catchment area of Nairn BID, or whose property’s rateable value lies below the £1000 threshold, but still wish to support the BID and receive most of the benefits that members do. As Nairn BID exists for the improvement of Nairn as a whole then supporting the BID can be a valuable way of saying to your customers that you as a business are contributing to making Nairn a better place.
Opt-in members receive the same benefits as other members, they just don’t have the voting rights that levy area businesses do when it comes to the renewal ballot for the BID. For the five year business plan which outlines the main areas of spending and objectives of Nairn BID, please click here.
They can apply for free stalls at our events and markets, benefit from free marketing and promotion (website listing, social media sharing and member of the month), and attend our meetings, business workshops and networking events.
Nairn BID organises street markets along the High Street several times a year. The BID also runs Taste of Nairn, Wheels of Nairn and the Countdown to Christmas events.
If you think your business would benefit by being part of the BID and you would like to join, please fill in our application form. You can also send us a photograph and listing wording for the VisitNairn website.
Opt-in membership starts from £125 a year. Membership runs for our financial year from 1st October to 30th September. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to get in touch – office@nairnconnects.com
World Tattie Scone Championship returns to Taste of Nairn
A COOKING contest in which entrants compete to be crowned the World Tattie Scone Champion is returning to a three-day food and drink festival.
The World Tattie Scone Championship will for a second year grace the Taste of Nairn, which is taking place in the seaside town between May 6-8.
The Championship was launched in 2013 at Piping At Forres and was held there for six years.
However, Oakwood Cookery School near Elgin which sponsors the scone making contest and Forres Events Limited who organised Piping At Forres have offered the competition to Taste of Nairn for a second time.
Elaine Sutherland, owner of the Oakwood Cookery School said she was delighted the competition will return for an eighth year.
She said: “It’s great to be working with the organisers of Taste of Nairn again and to bring back the World Tattie Scone Contest after a two-year break due to the pandemic. The contest was synonymous with Piping at Forres, however, it is now an event in its own right, so it was great to find somewhere to stage it.”
Budding chefs
The championship will appeal to budding cooks wanting to put their culinary skills to the test and those just looking for a bit of fun.
The aim of the competition is to make a tattie scone using a set recipe with mashed potatoes and flour, plus the contestant’s own magic ingredient which they bring in with them. Tables and stoves are set up for contestants to compete in heats.
The most tasty and imaginative scone will be chosen as the winner.
In 2019, the winner was Paul Douglas, who wowed the judges with his ‘Scottish Scone,’ which featured caramelised red onion.
Elaine said that over the years, she has seen various ‘secret ingredients’ being used and explained what the judges are looking for.
“We have seen anything and everything from people using prawns to raspberries and this year we hope to see even more imaginative ingredients being used.
“It’s such fun to take part in. We have had people who are seasoned chefs or cooks, and those who have barely set foot in the kitchen taking part, and the great thing is, you just never know who is going to scoop the title.
“It might just be that the winning tattie scone is just so innovative, there is no choice but to choose that one, or it may be that it’s a fairly basic recipe, but it’s cooked to perfection.”
Get involved
Places in the contest are limited and all completed forms will be entered into a draw. Entries must be in by 5pm on May 2 when the draw will take place and the lucky entrants will be informed the following day.
There is no fee to enter the Tattie Scone Championships which is supported by Carr’s Flour and Albert Bartlett potatoes and participants can be aged 13 upwards.
The recipe and principal ingredients are provided but contestants are invited to bring their own ‘special ingredient’ – but they are warned there is to be no alcohol.
The contest will take place on May 7 in the Nairn Community and Arts Centre which will also host an artisan market and food and drink related demonstrations on May 7 and 8.
There will be four different heats held throughout the day with the winners being chosen by a panel of judges.
Taste of Nairn is being organised by Nairn Connects BID and supported by title sponsor Ashers, will see the town come alive over the three-day event which kicks off on May 6. Other events include riverside foraging, food related street theatre, special brunches and breakfasts and a Showstopper cake making contest.
To enter the World Tattie Scone Championship click here.
