Oatcakes and Oat Bannocks

Oatcakes have been around for centuries in the UK, though legend has it that the Staffordshire oatcake was invented by returning soldiers from India who missed the Indian poppadoms and chappatis and tried to recreate them.

Oatcakes come in all shapes and sizes and should not be confused. The Staffordshire oatcake is soft and often served for breakfast with bacon. The more widespread oatcake is a dry oat biscuit such as those made at Stockan and Gardens bakery in the Orkney Islands. Although they share the same name, there is very little similarity between the two.

The dry oatcakes are a traditional Scottish specialty and are sometimes referred to as "oat bannocks", not to be confused with " bere bannocks " - a type of bread made from beremeal originating in the Stone Age and still eaten in Orkney.

The dry varieties of oatcakes are a traditional Scottish specialty and are made all over Scotland. Nothing beats a thick Stockan's oatcake with delicious Orkney Cheddar.