Iain Burnet

Grandtully, Perthshire, Scotland PH90PL
01887 840775
iainburnett@highlandchocolatier.com
Visit Highland Chocolatier

Creating World-Class Chocolate in the Scottish Highlands

From a small village in Highland Perthshire, Iain Burnett has built an international reputation around one deceptively simple creation: the chocolate truffle.

Known as the Highland Chocolatier, Burnett specialises in exceptionally smooth ganache, combining carefully selected cacao with fresh Scottish ingredients. His signature Velvet Truffle has become the foundation of a chocolate collection recognised with more than 100 national and international accolades.

In 2026, Highland Chocolatier celebrated its 20th anniversary, marking two decades since Burnett and his family established their artisan Chocolate Kitchen in Grandtully, Scotland.

Developing a Distinctive Scottish Style

Burnett grew up on a Scottish island, where his father’s kitchen introduced him to combining spices with locally available ingredients. He later trained with master chocolatiers from the French, Belgian and Swiss traditions.

Rather than simply reproduce those European styles, Burnett developed an approach rooted in Scotland.

His chocolates combine cacao with ingredients such as fresh cream from Perthshire Friesian cows, Scottish heather honey and locally grown berries. The emphasis remains on natural ingredients, avoiding artificial flavourings and additives wherever possible.

Three Years to Perfect One Truffle

The Velvet Truffle did not emerge quickly.

Iain Burnett spent three years developing the recipe and experimenting with approximately 120 variations before arriving at the texture he wanted. Unlike a conventional moulded chocolate with a substantial shell, the pure Velvet Truffle places its soft ganache at the centre of the tasting experience.

A particularly important ingredient is cacao from the volcanic island nation of São Tomé and Príncipe. Burnett values it for its aromatic, fruit and spice characteristics and uses São Tomé chocolate prominently throughout the collection.

Current flavours extend well beyond the original truffle. Raspberry and black pepper, ginger, garden mint, chai, strawberry and star anise, passion fruit, sea-salted caramel and Scottish-inspired raspberry and heather honey are among the combinations in the range.

Reaching 100 Awards

Burnett’s painstaking approach has produced an extensive record of recognition.

In July 2026, Highland Chocolatier announced its 100th national or international accolade. The milestone coincided with the 20th anniversary of the Chocolate Kitchen.

The 2026 Great Taste Awards brought additional recognition. Burnett’s Passion Fruit Velvet Truffle and Blackcurrant Ruby Velvet Truffle each received three gold stars. The company says its accumulated honours now include awards from the International Chocolate Awards, Academy of Chocolate, Guild of Fine Food and other industry organisations.

From Michelin-Starred Chefs to Chocolate Lovers

Although visitors can purchase Burnett’s chocolates directly, an important part of his career has involved working with the hospitality industry.

Highland Chocolatier has supplied chocolates and bespoke creations to chefs, hotels and luxury businesses. Its client history includes names such as Albert Roux, Gordon Ramsay, Claridge’s, Gleneagles, British Airways First and The Macallan.

The truffles can also be customised as petits fours, while chocolate pairings allow Burnett’s creations to move beyond the traditional chocolate box into restaurant and tasting experiences.

A Chocolate Destination in Highland Perthshire

Today, Highland Chocolatier is also a destination.

The Grandtully location includes the Chocolate Shop, Chocolate Lounge, Chocolate Exhibition and guided Chocolate Tasting Flights. Visitors can explore cacao processing and artisan chocolate making before tasting Burnett’s chocolates and hot chocolate.

In 2026, the attraction received a five-star visitor attraction rating, adding another dimension to a business that began as a small family-run chocolate kitchen.

Twenty years after establishing Highland Chocolatier, Iain Burnett remains unusually focused on perfecting the fundamentals: exceptional cacao, fresh ingredients, precise technique and texture. That dedication has turned one Scottish chocolatier’s pursuit of the perfect truffle into an internationally recognised chocolate experience.