The annual world porridge championships saw competitors from 14 different nations descend on the Scottish Highlands vying to take home the crown.

The renowned Golden Spurtle porridge-making championships celebrated their 32nd year in the village of Carrbridge, drawing a record-breaking number of participants from all over the world, thanks in part to its cinematic acclaim.

Contestants, from as far afield as USA, Australia, Pakistan, Finland, Turkey, Estonia and Canada, were required to prepare a traditional porridge using just oatmeal, water, and salt.

The event’s notoriety has only been heightened by the release of the hit Golden Spurtle movie, which tells the story of the quirky annual competition.

Premiering at this year’s Edinburgh International Film Festival, the movie was released in UK cinemas earlier this year.

It focuses on telling the story of the 2023 Championship and looks at the local characters behind the event.  

This year’s line-up of competitors included 2023 world champion Adam Kiani and 2024 winner Chris Ormistion. 

Kim McGhee, representing the Philippines, also returned to defend her ‘speciality dish’ title, where entrants can unleash their creativity with a variety of ingredients. 

On the back of film fame, the Golden Spurtle porridge-making championships, returned to the village of Carrbridge for its 32nd year with a record number of entries from around the globe

Contestants, from as far afield as USA, Australia, Pakistan , Finland , Turkey, Estonia and Canada , were required to prepare a traditional porridge using just oatmeal, water, and salt

The event’s notoriety has only been heightened by he release of the hit Golden Spurtle movie (pictured), which tells the story of the quirky annual competition

However, it was the Norwegian Sven Seljom from Mandal who picked up the title of the porridge world champion.

The ‘speciality dish’ title was won by Caroline Velik from Australia, who was also runner-up in the main competition.

Among the judges was TV star, Hebridean Baker Coinneach MacLeod.

Alan Rankin, chieftain of the Golden Spurtle, said: ‘We are delighted to welcome porridge enthusiasts and visitors from around the globe to our village. 

‘While the event is renowned for its quirky charm, it is underpinned by the fierce determination of each competitor to claim the coveted Golden Spurtle trophy.’

A study previously revealed that porridge was eaten by people in the Outer Hebrides more than 5,500 years ago.

Researchers have found evidence that cereals were cooked in well-preserved pots found in the Isles as far back as 3600 BC.

The team performed chemical analysis of the ancient pottery found in the waters surrounding small artificial islands, called crannogs.

Cereals were cooked in pots and mixed with dairy products and occasionally meat, probably to create early forms of porridge, gruel and stew, they found.

Today, oat porridge is the most common type of porridge eaten by Brits, although the ancient Scots were eating a wheat porridge, the analysis suggests.