Celebrating Our Founder, Joseph Walker

Today, we honour the remarkable legacy of our founder, Joseph Walker, on what would have been his birthday. His story is one of ambition, resilience, and a passion for baking that laid the foundation for Walker’s Shortbread as we know it today.

His journey, like so many great stories, started from humble beginnings. Born on 20th February 1876, less than a month before Alexander Graham Bell made the first-ever telephone call, Joseph entered the world in Victoria Park, Aberdeen, where his father, Robert, worked as the park’s keeper. Sadly, Joseph’s mother, Isabella, passed away before he was even two years old, a loss that no doubt shaped his resilience and determination.

By his teenage years, Joseph had set his sights on learning a trade, securing a job as a baker in a prominent Aberdeen bakery. By 1898, at just 21 years old, he was confident enough in his skills to take a bold step forward. With a £50 loan, he took over a small village bakery in Torphins, marking the very beginning of what would become Walker’s Shortbread.

From Humble Bakery to Household Name

Running his own bakery was no small task, but Joseph’s dedication was unwavering. He even had a special delivery companion - his first horse, Lovie. Once a tram car horse in Aberdeen, Lovie had gone blind, but she quickly learned the bakery’s delivery route through the village, becoming an integral part of the business.

Joseph’s wife, Margaret, whom he married in 1903, became his greatest supporter. She played many roles in the business, including the most important of all - chief taster, helping refine the recipes that would become Walker’s signature.

When World War I broke out, many men enlisted, but bakers were exempt from conscription if they were deemed essential to feeding local communities. Joseph continued to bake despite wartime ingredient shortages, ensuring his village never went without.

A New Home in Aberlour

After the war, with fresh optimism and a growing reputation, Joseph made the decision to expand. In 1921, he sold the Torphins bakery and moved his family to Aberlour, a picturesque village in the heart of Speyside - famous for salmon fishing and whisky. Joseph saw Aberlour as the perfect place to grow his business, thanks to its open landscape and strong transport links to the south. It was a move that would define the Walker’s story.

The Aberlour bakery quickly became a cornerstone of the community, and as his sons, Jim and Bud, turned 14, they joined their father in the business. Together, they worked tirelessly, establishing Walker’s as a trusted name in baking.

A Legacy That Lives On

Affectionately known as Granda by his grandchildren, Joseph Walker passed away in Aberlour in 1954. But his vision, his dedication to quality, and his unwavering passion for baking live on to this day. His name remains at the heart of Walker’s Shortbread, a brand that has stayed true to its roots while growing into a globally recognised symbol of Scottish craftsmanship and tradition.

Today, as we celebrate Joseph Walker’s birthday, we remember not just the man, but the legacy he built, one that continues to bring the simple joy of all-butter shortbread to homes across the world.

Happy Birthday, Joseph Walker. Your story continues to inspire us all.

Look out for our special tribute video on our social channels as we mark this occasion!