Unusual Sports: 2026 Porridge World Championships
By Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw
The 2026 Annual Porridge-making World Championships, which began in 1994, have taken place in Carrbridge, near Aviemore, in the Scottish Highlands.
The event attracted 30 competitors from 14 countries
The Golden Spurtle was won by Gina Saarberg, who is 28 years old from Zuthphen, in The Netherlands, using organic pinhead oats, salt and water that she brought with her from her home city.
Rob Reid, who is 36 years old from Sydney, Australia, won the speciality award for competitors, who combine oatmeal with any ingredients, with his porridge cannoli, which is an oaty spin on a tube-shaped dessert from Sicily, his mother being from Sicily and his father from Scotland.
The rules of the competition allow only three ingredients, namely, oats, water and salt.
Alan Rankin, the Porridge Chieftain, remarked that:
"The World Porridge Making Championship is a wonderfully quirky tradition that thrives on good humour and friendly competition, offering a wonderful escape from the daily grind.”
And added that:
"Each year, our local community opens its doors, and we hope everyone who joined us leaves with fond memories of their visit."
Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw may be contacted by e-mail at ‘
