Scotch Bridget is an attractive orange-flushed cooking apple originating from Scotland. The flavour is richly acidic and the flesh is soft and juicy - good characteristics for a successful cooking apple. The apples keep for several months, and can be eaten raw after the New Year.
Scotch Bridget found a second home in the north-west of England where it was widely grown around Lancaster by the end of the 19th century. Unlike most apple varieties it will crop reliably in areas of wet winters, and poor summers.
Rated by Victorian author Robert Hogg as "an excellent culinary apple".
Scotch Bridget apple identification images
All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.
USDA identification images for Scotch Bridget
The identification paintings in the USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection span the years 1886 to 1942.
Citation: U.S. Department of Agriculture Pomological Watercolor Collection. Rare and Special Collections, National Agricultural Library, Beltsville, MD 20705.
Visitor reviews
Tree register
United States
- g Joseph Jordan in WEST CHESTER, PA
United Kingdom
- Billy Auger in Hopton Wafers, SHROPSHIRE
- Claire in LANCASTER, LANCASHIRE
- Dougas Wilson in Perth,
- Heather Gardiner in Biggar, LANARKSHIRE
- John Mullen in Kilmarnock, AYRSHIRE
- Karen Guthrie in Coniston, CUMBRIA
- Mark in Chippenham, WILTS
- Mark Blagden in Croston, LANCASHIRE
- Michael Lee in Tenbury Wells, WORCESTERSHIRE
- Neil Smith in KIPPEN, STIRLING
- Sarah Broadbent in Dalgety Bay, FIFE
- Sarah Temple in INVERURIE, ABERDEENSHIRE
- Steve Sim in Grange Over Sands, CUMBRIA
Spring blossom records for this variety
2014 season
- 27th April 2014 - tree owned by Michael in Tenbury Wells, United Kingdom
Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.
Harvest records for this variety
Origins
- Species: Malus domestica - Apple
- Introduced: 19th century
- UK National Fruit Collection accession: 1945-019
Identification
- Country of origin: United Kingdom
- Period of origin: 1850 - 1899
- Flower colour: Pink - light
- Leaf colour: Green
- Annual cycle: Deciduous
Using
- Picking season: Late
- Keeping (of fruit): 1-2 months
- Flavour quality: Good
- Flavour style (apples): Sharper
- Discoloration of fruit: Oxidising
- Cropping: Good
- Fruit persistence: Normal ripening
- Food uses: Culinary
- Food uses: Traditional cooker
- Picking period: early October
- Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators
Growing
- Gardening skill: Beginner
- Flowering group: 3
- Pollinating others: Poor
- Ploidy: Triploid
- Vigour: Average vigour
- Bearing regularity: Regular
- Fruit bearing: Spur-bearer
- Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
Climate
- Climate suitability: Temperate climates
- Climate suitability: Mild damp climates
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Cool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Cold (< 20C / 67F)
Where to buy trees
The following tree nurseries offer Scotch Bridget apple trees for sale:
- Orange Pippin Fruit Trees (UK) United Kingdom
Scotch Bridget apple trees
Where to buy fresh fruit
No orchards have registered as growing this variety. If you grow this and want to register please go to our Orchard Registration form.
References
- Apples of England (1948)
Author: Taylor