Scott family bakery Kirriemuir pop-up shop is icing on the cake for 20th anniversary Bonfest
An old Kirrie shop has become a new mecca for AC/DC fans in a “full circle” moment for this year’s 20th anniversary Bonfest. For the first time in the history of the Kirriemuir event, it has opened the door on a direct link to the family whose son became a 1970s rock god.
It is the magnetic pull of Bon Scott which continues to draw AC/DC fans to Angus nearly half a century after his passing. This year, on what would also have been Bon’s 80th birthday, they have a special spot to visit alongside the Bonfest arena and Kirrie’s packed pubs.
In the late 1940s, the Bank Street building was the family bakery of Chick and Isa Scott. The couple left it behind in 1952 in search of a new life in Australia, taking with them their six-year-old son, Ronald Belford Scott and his younger brother, Derek. Down under, young Ronald’s roots in bonnie Scotland earned him the nickname of Bon. An eventual meeting with Glasgow brothers Angus and Malcolm Young spawned one of rock’s greatest bands.
The Bon Scott Estate is the custodian of the singer’s place in music history. It works on behalf of his brothers Derek and Graeme, as well as two nephews, all still living in Australia. And this year, the stars aligned for a pop-up shop in the former family bakery.
John Jackson and Aile Kerr of the Bon Scott Estate travelled from the US to set it up, stocked with ‘freshly baked’ exclusive merchandise.
John, from New York, said:
“We have been developing a relationship with Bonfest, which we’ve seen grow year on year. We wanted to get involved with them, but really do it correctly to mark Bon’s legacy here in Kirriemuir. Originally we hoped that might happen for his 75th anniversary, but it didn’t work out. But the shop became available to rent for this year’s festival. It has put Bon right back in here from the time he was a wee lad in Kirriemuir. We’re delighted to be here. Bonfest has done so much to gain the trust of the family and do everything the right way.”
Scott Ferguson of Bonfest organisers DD8 Music charity said the bakery pop-up was a “full circle moment” in Bon’s history. Fans flocked there are the Bonfest atmosphere took off on Friday.
Neville Carvill from Bangor in Northern Ireland said:
“This is just so special to be standing in the family bakery where Bon would have been as a young boy.”
Amazingly, the 55-year-old lifelong AC/DC fan learned about the Kirrie pop-up at the band’s Mexico City gig on their Power Up tour only last month.
“It is hard to describe how amazing Bonfest is,” he said. “The amount of friends I have made from all over the world coming here is incredible. I first came in 2016 when the Bon Scott statue was unveiled and have been every year since. It’s a massive AC/DC family, but it’s their dedication to Bon which draws everyone here.”
On Saturday, thousands will be in Kirrie to see the Long Way to the Top video recreation.
The live performance is on a 54-year old lorry owned by local man George Forrest which has clocked up more than a million miles.
This article appeared in the Courier on 2 May 2026