It is said that Bridies originated in Forfar in the early part if the 19th Century.
One story of their origin is that they were made for wedding meals, 'the Bride's meal', hence the 'lucky' horseshoe shape. A second story is that Bridies were made originally by a travelling food seller, Maggie Bridie of Glamis (in the days when the county of Angus was called Forfarshire).
They were mentioned by J M Barrie (author of Peter Pan) who was born in Kirriemuir in that county.
The following quote by Jeems Stark, a one-time local character, describes the Bridie as he saw it:
"juist a brodie - a big roond slap o' dough wi' the tap hauf spread wi' steak cut sma' an' chappit ingins." "Syne the boddom hauf's luftit an' laid ower the tap an' scolpit ee aidge." "Nick oot twa holes ee tap, fauld, an' there y'are - a brode pie - a brodie - a bridie."
