Penny dainty
February 14th 2026
For those of a certain age this term is sure to evoke childhood memories. The Dictionaries of the Scots Language (DSL) define it as, “a sweet, specifically a large piece of flavoured toffee, sold for a penny”.
In 1989, lexicographers at DSL recorded an Edinburgh resident’s complaint that “Penny dainties aye get stuck in yer teeth”.
In September 1993, the Herald noted that these sweets weren’t just a Scottish delicacy: “Craig, an Ulsterman who well remembers the ‘penny dainties’ that also sold widely in Ireland, says: ‘We then had a good look at how the market was going and how McCowan’s, with its strong brand identity, should position itself for the future’”. McCowan’s was famous for its Highland Toffee brand.
Moving on to the twenty-first century, these sweets are still very much alive in the national memory. The Scotsman provided the following example in a May 2003 piece on McCowan’s: “Their Highland toffee, fizzy Wham bars and ‘penny dainties’ have long been tuck shop favourites with Scotland’s children”.
Then, in the same paper in April 2020: “The lockdown allows for plenty of spare time to reflect on childhood’s sugar-rush. All those gobstoppers and sherbet fountains and penny dainties … and the damage [they] caused”.
Finally, in January 2025, a piece in the Oban Times about nostalgia echoed that Edinburgh resident’s point: “Then there are wee things such as McCowan’s toffee, their tartan wrapped wee penny dainties were perfect – for taking out fillings!”.
Dictionaries of the Scots Language would like to thank Bob Dewar for illustrating our Scots Word of the Week feature.
