Quintessentially Scottish gay icon Coinneach MacLeod makes TV presenting debut in 'The Hebridean Baker'
– 2 min read
Gay cookbook author Coinneach MacLeod, aka Hebridean Baker, has made his television presenting debut in a brand new culinary travel series, Hebridean Baker: Nordic Islands, which launches today (13 November). The four-part series sees Coinneach swap the Scottish islands for a Nordic foodie adventure and is released in two versions: a Gaelic-language edition airing exclusively on BBC ALBA and BBC iPlayer, and an English-language version.
Hebridean Baker: Nordic Islands is a journey into the heart of island life, where food becomes a thread that weaves together culture, identity and survival. A voyage rich with flavour, folklore and unforgettable characters.
From joining the crew on an Arctic fishing boat, to baking cakes fit for a princess in the Baltic, Hebridean Baker: Nordic Islands follows Coinneach’s travels across some of Europe’s most breathtaking islands - diving headfirst into the wild and wonderful flavours of the North. Along the way, he discovers age-old traditions, meets passionate food producers, rolls up his sleeves in home kitchens and humble village bakeries and joins a chef in a Michelin-starred restaurant.
Filmed on location across four extraordinary Nordic islands - Lofoten, the Faroe Islands, Gotland and Bornholm - 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.
The series follows Coinneach - clad in his signature Fair Isle knitted sweaters and yellow wellies - as he samples Arctic cod beneath Lofoten’s mountainous peaks, shares a meal of fermented mutton with local Faroese farmers, brews Viking-style ale on Gotland and uncovers the secrets behind Denmark’s world-famous pastries on Bornholm.
Coinneach said: "This series has been a dream come true. I’ve always believed food connects us, and on Hebridean Baker: Nordic Islands, I’ve been welcomed into kitchens, farms and cafés across the north, meeting incredible bakers, fishermen and storytellers whose passion for their island, culture and cuisine has been inspiring. It’s been a joy to explore and share those connections."
