The Ice Cream Alliance, the UK and Ireland’s only trade association for the ice cream industry, announced the winner of Parlour of the Year 2026: Forest Farm in Aberdeen, Scotland’s longest-established organic dairy farm.
The award is sponsored by Nic UK, a leading supplier of premium ice cream and dessert ingredients.
With more than 80 years of history, the Ice Cream Alliance has long set the standard for excellence in the industry, and its rigorous judging process means recognition from the ICA carries real weight. This year saw a record number of entries from across the country, making Forest Farm’s win all the more notable. Previous Parlour of the Year winners have said the award has had a transformative effect on their business, raising their profile, bringing national press coverage, and inspiring people from all over the country to visit them.
Anthony and Anne Willis purchased their corner of Aberdeenshire in 1989, going on to establish Scotland’s very first organic dairy farm in 1998. A true pioneer in Scotland’s dairy industry, the farm introduced the country’s first milk vending machine in 2017 before turning its hand to gelato, producing small batches from 2019 and quickly winning awards. In 2021, the family opened an on-farm gelateria and garden serving gelato, specialty coffee and homemade cakes. Today, managed by Anne, her sons and a team of 30, Forest Farm welcomes over 250,000 visitors a year.
Forest Farm says, “It’s an absolute honour to win Parlour of the Year! A lot of amazing ice cream parlours have won in the past and we’re excited to be counted among the best in the country. We plan to keep making our gelato to the high standard we’ve set for ourselves, while still innovating on our recipes. This award is just the beginning for us!”
Catherine McNeil, Director of Operations of Ice Cream Alliance, says, “We’re so excited to crown this year’s Parlour of the Year. Forest Farm absolutely deserves this. A glowing standard for ice cream in Scotland, Forest Farm’s heritage of excellence shines through their amazing organic ice cream.”
Nadia Miller of Nic UK, says, “‘We are thoroughly delighted to sponsor the Parlour of the Year competition recognising and rewarding excellence in our industry. Congratulations to Forest Farm, who are very worthy winners.”
This year’s winner represents the very best the UK and Ireland’s ice cream scene has to offer.
