Meet the Makers

A shared love of chocolate, creativity and the Cairngorms

Born in Edinburgh, Jo has been visiting Braemar since childhood, developing a lifelong love of the mountains and the village’s unique charm. After moving to Yorkshire as a teenager, she went on to study in Manchester before building a successful career in retail in London, later shifting into the eco charity sector.

In 2019, she made the move to Braemar—drawn back to the place that had captured her heart—and began her journey into the world of chocolate.

Dave joined the Army at just 16 as a chef, serving for 26 years and honing his culinary skills across the globe. Looking for a new creative outlet after his military career, he attended a chocolatier course at the Callebaut Academy in 2016—and from there, the path was set.

He opened his first chocolate shop in Shetland, quickly followed by another in Orkney. In 2020, he made the move to Braemar for a fresh challenge...that challenge was to open the Braemar Chocolate Shop - and it’s here, in the heart of the Cairngorms, that he met Jo.

A shared venture...

With their combined experience in food, retail, creativity, and a deep-rooted love for the mountains—not to mention a fair few dogs along the way—Jo and Dave have poured their energy into building something special.

The Auld Bank House Chocolate Shop is the next step in their shared adventure: a space for artistry, flavour, and connection.

“Our story is rooted in creativity, quality, and a love for this landscape we now call home.”

A New Chapter for Braemar Chocolate Shop

Crafting chocolate magic in the heart of the Cairngorms

In September 2024, with the clock ticking towards a late-November deadline, we found ourselves on the lookout for a new home within the village. After a helpful conversation with the Invercauld Estate office, Dave and Jo rolled up their sleeves and began creating a new production kitchen at the Lion’s Face Workshops.

Thanks to the incredible efforts of the estate team and the warm support of the local community and neighbouring businesses, we were able to keep the chocolate flowing throughout the busy festive season.

At the same time, we were on the hunt for a new retail space—and after much searching, we found our new home at the Auld Bank House. With plenty of refurbishment needed, we were delighted to open our doors to our first customers on Friday 14th March 2025. Since then, it’s been a joy to welcome familiar faces and meet new ones, sharing stories over the counter once more.

We're excited for this new chapter and looking forward to all that’s still to come.

“Since reopening, it’s been a joy to welcome familiar faces and meet new ones, sharing stories over the counter once more.”