Hundreds of tributes pour in following the death of ‘legendary’ Highland baker Harry Gow
Tributes have poured in following the death of Highland baker Harry Gow aged 89.
A well-known figure whose name has become synonymous with quality, tradition, and community spirit in the Highlands, he built one of Scotland's most respected family-run bakeries.
Hundreds have taken to social media to post their tributes describing him as a legend and recalling his bakery creations including the famous Dream Ring.
• Highland baker Harry Gow dies
Those paying tribute included baking industry veteran David McKerrow who said if ever a knighthood was due, it should have been Harry Gow’s.
“I worked with Harry in his early days of setting up the bakery at Smithton where his attention to detail first struck me,” the retired bakery sales development consultant said.
“Helped by Mike Gourlay he stripped and rebuilt a second hand Hobart Mixer as a part of the preparations for the Bakery.
“There was an aura of purpose and intent - a crusade where only the best of regularly baked products could reach retail counters.
“He introduced a retail sales van which toured the Inverness suburbs weekly just as an ice cream van would. “This van broadened its coverage and was the first commercial vehicle to cross the newly-opened Kessock Bridge into the Black Isle.”
Mr McKerrow recalled Harry Gow’s first supermarket sales developments into the Highlands were with Rhind’s Supermarkets in Alness, Invergordon and Tain which underlined the potential of his own retail shop sales which progressively continue to serve customers.
“Harry’s step by step approach to his bakery business development and product qualities set benchmarks for competitors to follow,” he said.
“His two accolades as Scottish Baker Of The Year bear testament to the standards he set and maintained since those first days putting the pieces of an industrial mixer back together in complete readiness for service.
“In action you recognised the aura and intent Harry produced, helped by his family and staff around him, proud to be a part of his crusade and rewarded by all his customers across the Highlands, indulging delightedly in his savouries and confectionary.
“His anchors ensure that his name and his family bakery business continues for the years to come.”
Inverness South councillor Duncan Macpherson described him as “a real Highland gentleman, a respected and successful businessman and a baker extraordinaire”.
“He was regularly spotted cycling everywhere and more recently during his well-earned retirement, seen almost effortlessly cycling uphill around Westhill & Culloden Moor, on his electric bike in recent years,” he said.
“Harry Gow will be fondly remembered for his legendary bakery creations like the Harry Gow Dream Ring and the Marzipan Apple plus so many others.”
The Redshank in the Victorian Market said: “The city of Inverness has lost a true legend and no doubt leave a giant dream ring shaped hole in everyone's hearts.”
Present and past employees remembered him fondly while Graeme Ross posted: “So sorry to hear about Harry. He was a really lovely man, and easy to deal with during my time at Inshes Coop.
“The products he created were ground breaking and are loved by many.”
