The Holm Street Shop in 1890

The family recipe was thought to have been used for the first time commercially, by the present owner's great-grandmother, Janet Cook Johnstone, around the late 1800s. Her first shop was opened in 2 Holm Street near the Black Bull. The Salon 2 hairdressing business now occupies those premises. The Toffee was made in a long-demolished building across the street, backing onto the old cemetery. The Toffee was made by hand in batches of about 7 lbs. (3 kilos) at a time. It was sold mainly in uncut flat rounds of varying sizes, in a variety of flavours. It is known from an old advertisement that the tablet was supplied to an early Arctic Expedition. Janet's daughter Elizabeth helped in the shop and eventually took over the business.

Moffat Toffee and Fudge

Before the Second World War (1939-1945) new premises had been found on the High Street. The Edinburgh Woollen Mill now trades from those premises, immediately beside the present shop. The Toffee Shop was then being run by Matthew Blacklock (son to Elizabeth), his wife and sister in law. This situation continued until Blair Blacklock and his sister Ailsa came into the business. Toffee was manufactured in a small area behind the shop, but now with the aid of a puller, roller and hand-turned cutter. Now we had rounds and mouth-sized pieces ! Batches of 25 lbs. at a time were boiled during the mornings, Blair and his father attending to shop matters in the afternoons.

Available Fudge Flavours :
Pure Butter, Coffee, Chocolate,
Ginger, Heather Honey,
Vanilla Tablet and Assorted.

200 Jars of Traditional Sweets

Business grew so rapidly that the manufacturing area had to be extended. At first, extra rooms above the shop were used, but later manufacturing was carried out at proper factory premises in Glenfield Square. By this time, batches of 70 lbs. were being made.

During 1985 the shop moved into the present premises, manufacturing also expanding into fudge (Chocolate-Coated and Plain), Truffle (mainly Liqueur), The range of boilings was increased to include Peppermint, Pineapple, Whisky and Horehound. Ginger and Fruit flavours of Edinburgh Rock are also a speciality. Toffee is made daily, others as required.

Our Spirits Section

The rear of the shop is devoted to a wide range of whiskies, famous blends and single malts being stocked for connoisseur and general enjoyment. We endeavour to provide a wide range of confectionary and spirits, - hence the range of 200 jars of traditional sweets, providing all ages of customer with enjoyment.

A General View

The business is still run by Blair Blacklock and his son Richard, ably assisted by the three ladies staffing the shop. The factory also has two full-time and two part-time staff. The shop is open 7 days a week, there are two agencies for some wholesale transactions, but Blair and Richard carry out most of their sales from the shop. The recipe for the famous toffee ? Ah, well, that remains a secret known to the family alone ...