The Golden Spurtle

Every year contestants from around the globe travel to the scenic village in the Scottish Highlands to compete in the World Porridge Making Championship. The best bowl of oats takes home the coveted trophy – the Golden Spurtle.

Director: Constantine Costi 

Producers: Rebecca Lamond & John Archer 

Executive Producer: Constantine Costi 

Production Companies: Hopscotch Films and Hytra Films 

Sales Agent: Dogwoof 

Screen Scotland support: Brought to audiences with the help of Screen Scotland's Distribution Fund 


Synopsis

Each year the sleepy highland village of Carrbridge awakens with excitement as locals and competitors from around the globe vie for the honour of winning The Golden Spurtle in the World Porridge Making Championships. 

For ageing, charismatic, and soon-to-retire protagonist Charlie Miller, this competition means so much more than just a bowl of steaming oats. With ailing health but a responsibility to his fellow porridge committee members, Charlie is on a mission to secure the future of the championships - and his own legacy. Legacy is also at stake for Carrbridge local Ian Bishop. With his health in decline, Ian’s goal is to mount one last glorious attempt to secure the title.

Two men set up a sign for "The Golden Spurtle: World Porridge Making Champion" in Carrbridge. One man holds the sign while the other, dressed in blue coveralls, kneels with a power tool. They are in front of a stone building with arched windows and a green door.

But there’s stiff competition. Formidable return competitor Lisa Williams, the queen of porridge, is ready to bring home the trophy. Whilst the new generation of spurtlers) Toby Wilson (Australian taco chef armed with and his radical recipe for an oat-based tortilla), and Adam Kiani (armed with his grandmother’s secret stirring technique), both want to challenge the porridge status quo. 

Against the backdrop of the breathtaking Scottish Highlands and infused with whimsical humour of an eclectic cast The Golden Spurtle captures the humanity of village life and those who visit with spurtle in hand. 


More information

Premiere: The Golden Spurtle had its World Premiere at CPH:DOX 2025 and will have its UK Premiere at the Edinburgh International Film Festival in August 2025.

Image credits: Stills courtesy of Dogwoof