Tesco abandons plans to rename tattie scone after backlash

Tattie scones are to keep their Scottish name following complaints. Picture: Callum Bennetts

Now, a leading supermarket has allayed fears it has bid tattie bye to the humble tattie scone after a labelling error.

An eagle-eyed Tesco customer in the Falkirk area sparked an unlikely and short-lived campaign yesterday after noticing the company had apparently rebranded the carbohydrate-rich treats from their traditional name.

Margaret Cooper, from Bo’ness, complained to the firm after realising its own-brand version of the foodstuff - usually served as part of a fry up or on a morning roll - had been renamed from “tattie scones” to “potato scones”.

Tesco's rebranded tattie scones. Picture: Contributed

After sharing her displeasure with friends, the correspondence to Tesco increased, urging it to perform a U-turn and reinstate the original name.

But before the crusade could gather pace, the company revealed yesterday that the change had been carried out in error and said any suggestions it was playing fast and loose with the delicacy should be taken with “a pinch of salt.”

Ms Cooper decided to email Tesco after noticing the new packaging at the bakery in her local store.

She said: “Tattie scones is the name everyone uses for this food item and there’s no reason why the name should be changed. I contacted Tesco to complain and they sent me an email telling me they were looking into it.

“I mentioned it on Facebook and a number of my friends also wrote to the store. I was surprised but pleased to receive a call to say that Tesco had taken on board my complaint and would change the name of the product to ‘tattie scones’ in the next two weeks.”

While Tesco has sold its own- brand tattie scones for several years, it is understood the name change came about inadvertently as part of a review to ensure any allergens in the product were clearly identified. The firm moved to rectify the mistake after Ms Cooper pointed it out to them.

A spokesman said: “There was never any plans to change the name of the tattie scone. The name changed briefly in error due to a labelling upgrade. This has been rectified.

“Like a tattie scone on a well fired roll, any suggestions Scotland’s famous potato delicacy was changing name are best served with a pinch of salt.”

Michael Hance, director of the Scots Language Centre, welcomed the move, pointing out that the traditional Scottish name of the snack – made using boiled potatoes, butter and salt – was still widely used.

“I’m really glad to hear Tesco has responded to customer pressure,” he said. “‘Tattie’ is a perfectly respectable Scots word used by people across the country. I’ve never heard anyone call this product ‘potato scones’.

“This really is not the time to say tatty bye to the tattie scone and Tesco has done the right thing.”

After the news broke on social media, some users posted sarcastic messages suggesting there were more important issues to address.

Scott Wilson wrote on Twitter: “Not sure if Tesco keeping the name tattie scone over potato scone is a victory for the everyday person or a waste of time.”

Another user, @54Beats44, posted: “Why aren’t Tesco labelling tattie scones in Gaelic? Why? The Vow clearly promised it. 2nd indy now!”

While some Scottish bakers, such as McGhees, refer to their own version of the product as potato scones, others, such as the range by award-winning chef Nick Nairn, favour the Scots term.