The Golden Spurtle - UK premiere

The annual competition has put the tiny village of Carrbridge on the map

The tiny Highland village of Carrbridge is home to around 700 people, the oldest stone bridge in

the Highlands, and the quest for the Golden Spurtle. That last might sound like the title of a

blockbuster movie featuring wizards, big name actors, and Hollywood magic. But in Carrbridge,

the magic is in the oats, water and salt. Yes, we’re talking about porridge and the annual Golden

Spurtle competition.

Since 1994, competitors from around the world have gathered in the local village hall to find the

best porridge. Chefs must produce a traditional porridge using only 3 ingredients (oats, salt and

water) and a specialty item in which stars and celebrates oats. They have 30 minutes and a gas

hob to prepare and present their dishes.

It might sound a bit sedate, but it certainly doesn’t lack drama: so much so that the 2023

competition was filmed for an eponymous documentary. The Golden Spurtle has its UK

premiere at the Edinburgh Film Festival on 17 August following a hugely successful showing at

the Sydney film festival.

Tracy & Coco

One of the stars of the film is Bite’s own Tracy Griffen, a three-time competitor and a life-long

porridge lover. An Australian-turned-Leither, Tracy is an active member of the local community

where she runs a fitness studio alongside her dog, Coco.

When Tracy talks about porridge she sparkles with enthusiasm.

“I’ve always eaten porridge,” she told me. “I ate masses of it as a teenager in Australia - I would make casserole-sized servings. I figure race horses are fueled by oats and they go fast, so it’s good fitness fuel. And now I live in the land of porridge - it’s amazing!”

With only three ingredients allowed in the competition, it might seem like the results could all be a

bit same-y. But Tracy says there’s quite a variety among the entries, depending on the water

used and the type of salt and oats. Malden sea salt usually features in the winner, but

Blackthorn Scottish salt also performs well. Winning entries usually use pinhead oats that have

been cooked for the maximum time, and often soaked the night before. Tracy insists the judges

can taste a difference, and over-salting is a common downfall. “The salt should just be a pinch

at the end,” she explains.

While Tracy isn’t competing this year, her appearance in the film means her story is forever part

of the Golden Spurtle tradition.

“The film really captures what the competition is all about,” she tells me. The strong community feel and the quirkiness of the event, which attracts hopeful competitors from around the world, are clear throughout. She adds, “Even though it’s a competition and everyone wants to win, it’s more about the actual celebration of oats than actually winning the spurtle.”

In that spirit of community and celebration, Tracy will be live-streaming this year’s competition

from her studio in Leith with donations going to Mary’s Meals, an organisation that feeds

children in some of the world’s poorest countries. As she says, “The competition is a bit niche,

but the appeal is universal: oats, water and salt make a meal.”

The UK premiere of The Golden Spurtle takes place on Sunday 17 August at the Cameo as part

of the Edinburgh Film Festival. Additional showings take place on Monday 18 August

(Filmhouse) and Tuesday 19 August (Omni Centre). Information and tickets: https://www.edfilmfest.org/film/the-golden-spurtle/

The Golden Spurtle is on general release from 12 September. This year’s competition takes

place on 4 October and will be live-streamed from Griffen Fitness, 3 Balfour Street, Leith

Edinburgh, EH6 5BY