One Saugus family has more reason than others to wear Christmas plaid this year. In homage to Great-Great-Gran from Glasgow, the Slominski family has launched a brand of Scottish shortbread using a recipe from five generations back and 5,000 miles away.

It’s not haggis, but it still can make one member of the family feel like he’s across the pond. “My mother is originally from Glasgow, Scotland,” says Tim Slominski. (Don’t let the Polish name throw you). “I can remember as a little boy in my mother’s kitchen in Buffalo, New York the wonderful aroma of the shortbread. She baked this only around the holidays and it was a special treat for my brothers and my sister. We spent a few summers in Glasgow with my grandparents, and all the relatives would come see us at their home. We always had fresh baked breads and traditional meals there.”

What began as teachers’ gifts has become a local family business, with Tim, wife Andrea, and all three Slominski children involved: Gabrielle, 17; Ian, 15; and Morgan, 13. “I enjoy the time in the kitchen as a family making and baking McLaren’s, as it has brought us together as a family,” says Tim. “Our kids all are involved as well and they understand the need to pull together.”

When asked about the length of time required to bake the shortbread to its perfect end, Tim’s response is not an amount of time, but an achievement of color. “We strive for quality and will not package anything that does not meet the standard,” he says.

In addition to shortbread, McLaren’s features jams, cookies, scone mixes and combinations packaged into gift baskets and boxes.

“I love all the products that we make and I recommend our jams just like this: one third of a jar on an English muffin is perfect,” Tim says. “Andrea is amazing in her vision for new products, as she is always thinking of something new. At first I would say, ‘We have enough,’ but as usual I am reminded that she is right and I just need to tag along for the ride and do as she says.”

Andrea handles product development, while Tim takes care of much of the baking. Andrea has been surprised by the speed of the company’s growth since they moved the operation out of the house last year. “We started at the Farmer’s Market in February and we have been invited to festivals and craft shows all over California on our reputation and quality of product,” she says. “The greatest challenge is always marketing.”

McLaren’s can be found at the Farmer’s Market on most Sundays from 8 a.m. to noon at College of the Canyons in Valencia. Tim and Andrea have been working with a colleague toward the goal of getting the products into Costco. For now, they are taking orders, with products beginning as low as $15, including shipping. Christmas delivery within Santa Clarita is free.

As much a part of the global, modern culture as the Slominskis are – East Coast origins, growing up on British food, baking Scottish shortbread, all with a Polish surname – it’s still a family pulling together a home business in the suburbs…no wonder they call it “old fashioned good.”