Some pro-independence Scots are angered as biscuit company axes lion rampant and rebrands snack as ‘Great British’

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

Scottish nationalists have called for a boycott of Tunnock’s after the biscuit company scrapped the image of the lion rampant from the packaging of its iconic teacake in a bid to rebrand the snack as British.

The image of the Scottish lion is missing from a new advertising campaign that appears on the London underground. In the ads, the marshmallow snack is also referred to as “Tunnock’s Great British teacake”.

Tunnock’s managing director, Boyd Tunnock, admitted to changing the branding south of the border. He told the Daily Record: “You’ve got The Great British Bake Off and things like that these days. We could have said Scottish but you’re then promoting Scotland. We’re British.”

The 82-year-old, who campaigned for remaining in the UK during the independence referendum, added: “The vote said we’re British. We’re Scottish; however, we’re still in Britain.

“Down south, people wouldn’t know [the teacake] as Scottish. We’ve had caramel wafers advertised on the London underground, but I think that was the first time for teacakes.”

But the rebrand has angered some pro-independence Scots, who have called for a boycott of all Tunnock’s products including the teacake, snowball, and caramel wafer.



In a Facebook group, Boycott The Companies That Scared Scotland, nationalists said: “Tunnocks are ditching the lion rampant from their branding stating they are not a Scottish biscuit, they are a Great British biscuit.

“This is the second time this company have pissed on Scotland after funding a No vote in 2014. What’s really petty is a millionaire interfering with a country’s democratic decision so he can sell more biscuits.”

The post has been shared more than a thousand times. Others began tweeting about the company using the hashtag #BoycottTunnocks, with one user saying the snack has been banned in his house for over a year.

Frecklish1 (@Frecklish1) The wider Scottish diaspora is a big market which Tunnocks have put at risk. Silly. #boycottTunnocks

sick racer (@thesickracer) #BoycottTunnocks haven't bought the stuff for over a yr banned in my house

Jhimbo B (@grabthethistle) Today it's just a teacake, tomorrow it's just history... #BoycottTunnocks

Jhimbo B (@grabthethistle) #BoycottTunnocks ... established 1890 sold out 2016 #BoycottCadburys #BoycottingBarrheadTravel #StillYes pic.twitter.com/6Hbny9Mqp7

Not In My Name (@BoringOleFart) Dear @TunnockOfficial like a few others you are now on my boycott list. #boycottTunnocks

But Blair McDougall, who ran the Better Together campaign during the independence referendum, tweeted his support for Tunnock’s. “Please help support Tunnocks Teacakes, add a #Twibbon now,” he wrote.

Blair McDougall (@blairmcdougall) Please help support Support Tunnocks Teacakes, add a #Twibbon now! https://t.co/TXrxl5QaY3

Scottish Conservative MSP Jackson Carlaw added: “A Scottish business which strives to grow and sell more products in our UK (or anywhere else) should be supported, obvs.”

Tunnock’s teacakes, made in Lanarkshire, are a classic Scottish snack that even featured in the opening ceremony of Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games in 2014. The family-run business, founded in 1890, produces more than 10m biscuits a week and employs more than 500 people.

Celebrity fans include Coldplay singer Chris Martin, who said: “You can’t choose between the caramel wafer and the teacake. They’re like Lennon and McCartney – you can’t separate them.”

Jackson Carlaw MSP (@JacksonMSP) A Scottish business which strives to grow and sell more products in our UK (or anywhere else) should be supported, obvs #BoycottTunnocks

Other consumers also threw their weight behind the company.

Adam (@M3LIN) These nats that #BoycottTunnocks don't realise that a boycott=less profits=less investment=less employment, then blame someone else.