The ‘invention’ of marmalade is generally attributed to the Scots with the actual term marmalade being derived from the Portuguese word ‘marmelada’. This was made from a solid paste made from cooked down quinces and sugar rather than the bittersweet preserve that we are familiar with today.
Mary Queen of Scots was one of the earliest fans of marmalade and was believed to have said during a bout of seasickness on a sailing from France to Scotland, that it was the sugary substance made from quinces that had eased her queasiness.
In all our preserves we use only the finest quality fruit grown in the surrounding berry fields of central Scotland. The soft fruit of this region is acknowledged to be amongst the finest in the world because of the temperate climate in Scotland which allows the fruit to be grown for longer, resulting in altogether more flavour.
Here at Mackays our award winning marmalades are made of the finest Spanish Seville bitter oranges and over the years we have introduced a whole range of popular varieties including orange & lemon marmalade with ginger, three-fruit marmalade as well as a luxury range including orange marmalade with champagne and marmalade with whisky.
