Hebridean Baker: Nordic Islands, BBC ALBA and BBC iPlayer’sacclaimed four-part Gaelic-language, culinary travel series, fronted by international bestselling author Coinneach MacLeod, aka Hebridean Baker, has been nominated in the Best Programme category at the prestigious Fortnum & Mason Food and Drink Awards 2026.
Widely regarded as one of the most respected accolades in food media, the Fortnum & Mason Awards celebrate excellence across broadcasting, writing and content creation. Previous winners in the Best Programme category include Tom Kerridge: Secrets of the Pub Kitchen and The Great British Bake Off, placing this year’s nomination among exceptional company.
Produced by Caledonia TV, Hebridean Baker: Nordic Islands follows Coinneach MacLeod in his television presenting debut as he embarks on an extraordinary journey across the Nordic Isles, exploring the deep connections between food, culture and island life. Filmed across Lofoten, the Faroe Islands, Gotland and Bornholm, the series has been praised for its warmth, storytelling and celebration of community. Each island stop reveals something new – not just about the food, but about resilience, creativity and the powerful ties that bind islanders together across borders and seas.
Hebridean Baker: Nordic Islands, which aired on BBC ALBA and streamed on BBC iPlayer from November 2025, is a celebration of tradition, connection and the adventurous spirit of islanders – where every recipe comes with a story.
The Fortnum & Mason Food and Drink Awards winners will be announced at the ceremony at The Royal Exchange, London, on Thursday 30 April 2026, with results made public the following day.
Coinneach MacLeod said:
“It’s a real honour to be nominated for the prestigious Fortnum & Mason Food and Drink Awards. To see a Gaelic series recognised on this stage means a great deal, and knowing that past winners include Stanley Tucci and Tom Kerridge makes it all the more special.”
Bill MacLeod, Commissioning Editor at MG ALBA, said:
“I’m absolutely thrilled at the nomination for this prestigious award. Seeing Coinneach MacLeòid up there with other brilliant globe-trotting presenters like Jeremy Pang and Ryan Chetiyawardana is an incredible honour – and a welcome acknowledgment that non-English-language programmes can deliver mouth-watering content with top-notch production values.”
Faye Maclean, Director at Caledonia TV, said:
“We’re delighted to be shortlisted for this prestigious award. It’s fantastic to see the food stories and traditions of the islands we visited celebrated on this stage, and a real honour to be recognised alongside such exceptional work.”
Dani Carlaw, Head of Screen Commissioning at Screen Scotland, added:
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“It’s fantastic to see Hebridean Baker: Nordic Islands recognised with a nomination at the Fortnum & Mason Food and Drink Awards. Coinneach MacLeod brings real warmth, charm and authenticity to the screen, and Caledonia TV has created a beautifully crafted series that celebrates island life, food and connection in a way that feels both intimate and internationally appealing.”
Hebridean Baker: Nordic Islands is funded by MG ALBA, Screen Scotland and Fremantle. Fremantle handles global distribution for the series.
Hebridean Baker: Nordic Islands – 4 x 45 minutes – is a Caledonia TV production for BBC ALBA, and BBC iPlayer. The series is Executive Produced by Dean Palmer, series produced by Julie McCrone and directed by Faye Maclean. The Commissioning Editor for BBC ALBA is Bill Macleod. The series is being distributed globally by Fremantle. The series aired on BBC ALBA and BBC iPlayer from November 2025.
