Ewan McGregor praises Crieff pies on Twitter

Jul 27 2012 by Paul Cargill, Strathearn Herald

HOLLYWOOD star Ewan McGregor has declared his love for a Crieff baker’s Scotch pies on Twitter.

Nearly 100,000 followers saw the Crieff-born actor’s tweet which read: “Campbell’s pie. Best pie in the world!”

Ewan’s family had bought half a dozen Scotch pies from Campbell’s Bakery in King Street as a treat for the actor on his return home.

The star was so pleased with the pies that he even took a picture of them and posted it on the social networking site.

Managing director Iain Campbell responded to the tweet, writing: “Thanks for the kind words! Enjoy your stay. If you need some for the road pop in and I’ll sort you out.”

Iain said he was “absolutely gobsmacked” when he saw the tweet.

He said: “I feel it’s like a random act of kindness. He didn’t have to do it but it must have been genuine and I appreciate it because it can’t hurt my business any.”

Ian said he thought the tweet may help in attracting more customers to his business.

He said: “We’ve had a lot of interest from down south, wondering if we can get the pies down there, so we’re looking into that and hopefully we’re able to do something about it.

“We’re increasing our Twitter following on the back of this. It’s raising our profile and it’s helping our business so I’m delighted.”

Campbell’s Bakery opened in Crieff in 1929 and to this day all the pies are hand-made on the premises.

As well as baking traditional favourites such as the Scotch pie, Campbell’s produces breads and cakes inspired by areas all around the world.

Ewan’s family often go into the shop but Ian has only met Ewan once.

He said: “I remember two or three years ago he was home for the Highland games. He likes to go to the games site and help set up. It was chucking it down with rain and he came in for eight hot steak pies.”

Iain added: “I would like to thank him for his kind words and if he needs to stock up before he leaves town then the pies are on me.

“You can take the man out of Crieff but you can’t take Crieff out of the man.”