Preparation of the Arbroath Smokie begins with a freshly caught haddock, Alex Spink and Sons only use freshly caught Scottish haddock sourced from the North Sea and bought fresh every morning from Aberdeen. The haddocks are cleaned and the fish is then salted for the required time. Once the salt is removed the haddocks are then tied by their tails in pairs and hung over triangular sticks called Haiks. The haddocks are cooked/smoked over the Traditional Hot Smoked Barrel.

Smokies are best enjoyed straight off the barrel, if you time it right (feel free to phone and ask!) our Arbroath Store can provide you with the tasty freshly smoked Arbroath Smokie.

Legend has it that when an Auchmithie house was burnt to the ground the fish which had been hanging inside the house were rescued and proved to be very tasty.

Many vans had to turn back to Arbroath that day due to blizzards, however Mary and Andrew kept going and came back with an empty Van! Andrew passed his driving test at 17 and still carries on the same round 28 years later.

In the same year Alex Spink & Sons purchased their first shop in Blairgowrie which Norman still runs today.

In 1982, the business moved to larger premises opposite the original ‘Washhouse’ and continued to trade there for several years. The premises was then further upgraded in 1992 due to continued growth. Later that year Alex Spink & Sons purchased another shop in Lochee, Dundee.This shop is run by Andrew.

Alex continues to work in the factory and travels to Aberdeen every morning to buy fresh fish direct from the market at Aberdeen and Peterhead.

In 1987 Alex Snr. retired but still holds an interest in the business having owned the fishing boat ‘Guiding Star’ he continues to work mainly on the Smokies and deliveries.

Alex Spink & Sons goes from strength to strength with a workforce of 25, supplying numerous Hotels, Nursing Homes and businesses as well as fish deliveries to your door throughout Angus, Tayside and Fife.

The wholesale market is also growing with fish being supplied to Edinburgh and London.