The mention of a deep-fried Mars bar may evoke thoughts of high cholesterol, but the Scots couldn’t care less. The unofficial national dish of Scotland is a firm favourite even more than 25 years after its inception. It’s on the bucket list of most tourists who visit Scotland.
Chip shops in Scotland first introduced the deep-fried Mars bar. The origins of the high-calorie treat can be traced to Stonehaven, where the Carron Fish Bar (known The Haven back in 1995) claims to have invented it (the shop has a banner saying “Birthplace of the World Famous Deep Fried Mars Bar”on its facade). Alastair Dalton, then a journalist with the Evening Express in Aberdeen, was tipped off about a chip shop serving batter-fried Mars bars by a friend. The Evening Express later published a short photo story based on the new culinary trend. The trend supposedly began when a Stonehaven schoolkid asked if they could have their Mars bar deep fried during their lunch break. A few days later, the Daily Record picked the story up and sensationalised it, telling the world about the new fried sweet treat that was available in chip shops across the country.
Although the deep-fried Mars bar is loved across Scotland, it has also become stereotyped along with other Scottish food for being unhealthy. Even Mars, the chocolate company, is unhappy with the trend and had requested the owners of The Carron Fish Bar to advertise the food time as one not endorsed by Mars. The local council in Stonehaven even asked the chip shop to remove their banner stating the deep-fried Mars bar was born there, but it has remained.
Many years have passed since the deep-fried Mars bar came into being but the hype surrounding it has stayed constant. The dish remains symbolic of Scotland and has even contributed to an increase in tourism in the country.