Haggis-flavoured ice cream from a Moray ice cream parlour described as “better than sex” left MPs in stitches after it was raised in the House of Commons.
To celebrate Burns Night, Fochabers Ice Cream Parlour’s Sheila Gray created a one-off flavour combining haggis, whisky sauce and haggis tattie scones last Friday.
The Press and Journal went along to see how it was going down and 84-year-old local man Charlie Armour took everyone by surprised when he not only enjoyed it, but said it was “better than sex”.
Our video from photographer Jason Hedges caught everyone by surprise and has now been introduced to a whole new audience after Moray MP Douglas Ross raised it at Westminster yesterday.
Mr Ross mentioned Sheila’s inspired creation as he called for a debate on “unique foods” with Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom.
He said: “Last week, as many of us celebrated Rabbie Burns, Sheila Gray, of Fochabers Ice Cream Parlour in Moray, in her own nod to the Bard, was creating a new variety of ice cream which blended whisky, tattie scones and haggis.
“So will the Leader of the House join me in congratulating Sheila for this latest imaginative variety, particularly since loyal customer 84-year-old Charlie Armour – after trying the ice cream – described it as ‘better than sex’.”
Leadsom saw the funny side and joked in reply: “Well, with 84 years of experience I’m sure Charlie would know.
“I’m not sure it’d be my first choice of flavour, but I guess it would have to be tasted to be believed.
“I understand Sheila attracts customers from far and wide and I’m sure it’s a fantastic tourist attraction, and I believe on top of that she is a tireless fundraiser in the local community.”
Leadsom added: “So congratulations to her for her extraordinary new invention and I hope to perhaps try her creations for myself one day.”
Charlie, a regular at the ice cream parlour which is around 200 yards from his front door, said he had been inundated with messages from friends since the video went online.
It had died down before Sheila brought it to his attention on Thursday that his comment had been talked about in parliament.
He said: “Notoriety has arrived at last. It’s nice for them to be talking about something fun for a change given the way it’s been recently.
“People thought it was hilarious when I said it but I never expected a reaction like this.”
Sheila is now working on a themed ice cream for Valentine’s Day later this month. We can only imagine how Charlie will react to it.
He added: “I’ll definitely try it but I think I’ll keep my mouth shut this time.”